Do I have dual citizenship to both the US and Spain?

Question

Both of my parents are US Citizens. Dad was in the navy and stationed in Rota, Spain. Where I was born. He says that I have dual-citizenship to both the US and Spain. I searched with mixed results on the whole subject. Could you help me?

Your friend- Gregorio Scott-Eduardo Palma

Answer 1

This is tough.  You are an American citizen because you were born to American parents.  SOME countires also give citizenship to any child born in that country regardless of the citizenship of the parents.  So , it depends on the law in Spain as to whether you have Spanish citizenship or not.  I believe the best way to find out is to contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Spain in the U.S.  The website of the Embassy of Spain in Washington is not currently working and the only consulate with a working website is the one in Boston...see site below...so you can contact them.  Another idea is to contact the American Embassy in Spain...they should know this...but getting them to answer you could be challenging.  See 2nd site below to submit an email question.  It seems the military should know too...but I have no idea who you should ask...and you could probably get the run-around for years from them.  If you could find a blog or forum for military members and post your question there, you may get an answer. Good luck.

Answer 2

If U were born at US Navy station and both parents are US citizens than U R only US citizen cus station is considered a US territory, so U were born in US.

Answer 3

US does not recognize double citizenship nor Spain.

Answer 4

Spain does not accept dual citizenship.

The US does accept dual citizenship. And I have the paperwork to prove it.

Spanish citizenship based on the Articles 17 through 26 of the “Codigo Civil” that was modified by Laws 18/1990 and 29/1995.

SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH:

Birth within the territory of Spain does not automatically confer citizenship. The exception is a child born to unknown or stateless parents.

SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT:

- Child, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Spain, regardless of the child’s country of birth.

- Child born of non-Spanish citizen parents, provided at least one of the parents was born in Spain.

SPANISH CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION:

Spanish citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of conditions which vary according to the person involved.

- Persons with no ties to Spain must reside in the country for at least 10 years.

- Persons who are former nationals of Portugal, the Philippines, or certain South American countries need only reside for two years.

- Persons who were born in Spain, who have married a citizen of Spain, or who were born outside of Spain of a mother or father who was originally Spanish, need only reside one year.

DUAL SPANISH CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED.

Exception: Spain has dual citizenship treaties with the following countries: Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, and Honduras. Spaniards residing in the above countries do not lose their rights as Spaniards if they adopt the nationality of the country of residence. For all other countries, Spanish citizenship is revoked upon the acquisition of foreign citizenship.

LOSS OF SPANISH CITIZENSHIP:

VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Spanish citizenship is permitted by law. Submission of a Letter of renunciation and passport is required. Contact the Spanish Embassy for more details and required paperwork.

INVOLUNTARY: The following is grounds for involuntary loss of Spanish citizenship: Person voluntarily acquires citizenship of a country with which Spain does not have a dual citizenship agreement.

Spanish citizenship information is summarized from the above-mentioned law. Any action concerning Spanish citizenship should be taken after consulting with a Spanish immigration lawyer or the official authority responsible with Spanish citizenship.

Answer 5

Check this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=2...

Answer 6

You are a US citizen. Most European countries do not accept citizenship simply because you were born there. Most countries consider your citizenship to be that of your parents. To make sure check with the local Spanish consulate.

Answer 7

They accept dual citizenship but the US might not. if you were born in Spain you can apply to be a citizen there because that's what all my family did ! I think you have to be 18 and apply it takes time,but but you have to be living there !!!!!

GOOD LUCK