Dual Canadian/US citizenship by paternity?

Question

The details:

--I am 25 and was born in British Columbia, Canada.

--My Father was born in Cleveland Ohio and left the United States at the age of 25 or 26.

--My Mother is a Canadian citizen and was born in Toronto Ontario, Canada.

While taking a dry run across the boarder, the boarder agent informed me that it is possible that I may automatically qualify for American citizenship as my father resided in the United States beyond the age of 19. Is this so? She was unfortunately not able to give me solid information but attempted to be as helpful as possible.

I would like to obtain dual American/Canadian citizenship but am unsure as to how I would go about this given the facts above. Does anyone know what I would have to file and who I would have to file it with to obtain my dual citizenship? The boarder agent said that if the facts above are so, I would not even have to take a citizenship test, it is supposed to just be granted automatically.

Answer 1

yes, as stated, you would qualify for US citizenship but it is not automatic.....there is a bit of paperwork to do.  You need a Conuslar Report of Birth Abroad.

http://www.amcits.com/birth_abroad.asp

On this website you will need to click on the link for Adult Determination.  (This would have been much easier to do before you turned 18).  

Go through the link and see what you need in the way of documentation.  Your dad will have to prove 5 years of residence in the US (maybe he went to college there??? or has a past employer who will verify for him) and his US citizenship.  You will have to go the the nearest US consulate with you dad to file the paperwork.

Good Luck!

You can email me if you need to [e-mail].

I had to do this process for my son.

Answer 2

The border agent is half right (technically speaking) automatically qualify for American citizenship I don't know where the agent came up with that? He left out the part where your father had to register your birth overseas (US law)

best advice is ask you father if he fill out the Consular Report of Birth Abroad(CRBA)!!!!

(CRBA), which is an official record confirming that the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. A CRBA can be issued only at an American Consular Office overseas, and only before the child reaches 18 years of age.

Answer 3

Sons and daughters of US citizens are by law, citizens, no matter where they were born. But your father need to verify for you.