doctrine of double constructive retention

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by crys

can anyone shed any light on this? i have read it could possibly be a way in which to claim citizenship, however there seems to be NOTHING on the net that shows the guidelines for going down this route??? it does exists, but seems to be clouded in secrecy!

It's always defeated me, too. I know that there is a path, but not how it works. For some reason it seems to crop up most frequently with Israeli Americans

[synthia]

OK, if Fatbrit doesn't know much about it, it is officially obscure.

[crys]

AARRGGHH!!! well i have an appointment with an immigration attorney and this question will crop up so if i do get (some kind of) answer, i will be sure to share the info here!

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by crys

AARRGGHH!!! well i have an appointment with an immigration attorney and this question will crop up so if i do get (some kind of) answer, i will be sure to share the info here!

From Bev's kind links, method 2 described @ AARO - Association of Americans Resident Overseas - Frequently Asked Questions on Citizenship is the route. Unfortunately, you cannot download the full fact sheet (which presumably gives details) unless you are a member.

[spoonyluv]

Originally Posted by crys

AARRGGHH!!! well i have an appointment with an immigration attorney and this question will crop up so if i do get (some kind of) answer, i will be sure to share the info here!

I am also trying to get US citizenship somehow, cause I really wanna move to the US, join the ARMY and after my active duty I want to be a police officer like a lot of my family members in the US.

My grandfather was a US citizen but my mother never knew she could claim US citizenship. By the way, my mother grew up in Germany and lives here ever since and had only the german citizenship until this year. Cause she just didn't know!

I also heard about the doctrine of double constructive retention and tried to find out how exactly it works. But the only info I got is, you can possibly claim US citizenship when one of your grandparents was a US citizen. So if you figure something out, please let me know. I am really desperate right now. My mother already filed an I-130 for me, but it will take along time until I actually get my green card, although I am in the first category.

So, I really appreciate any help you guys can give me.

Thx

Kevin

[crys]

spoke to an immigration lawyer who said i could possibly have a good case to go with the double constructive retention to claim citizenship. what i need to obtain is copies of the following:

birth cert for grandfather and mother (mothers i have, grandfathers i dont)
marriage and divorce certs for my grandparents
proof that my grandfather still resides in the US

does anyone know if there is a central place where these documents are stored (we have them all held a palce called somerset house in london) as my grandfather was born in iowa, but married, divorced and lived in los angeles? also what is deemed as proof of residency? not sure if grandfather would want me to have copies of his tax stuff so is there anything esle i can obtain to prove this? an electoral register or something?

kevin, if its any help to you, i can forward you the details of the attorney i have spoken to her in london but as yet i have not seen an invoice for his services so am not too sure what his prices are like just yet?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by crys

does anyone know if there is a central place where these documents are stored (we have them all held a palce called somerset house in london) as my grandfather was born in iowa, but married, divorced and lived in los angeles? also what is deemed as proof of residency? not sure if grandfather would want me to have copies of his tax stuff so is there anything esle i can obtain to prove this? an electoral register or something?

Afraid there is no central repository for birth, death and marriage documents in the US. And in fact, it can vary just a bit from state to state, county to county. Birth, death and marriage documents usually are archived by the county government, or in some cases, the city or town. Start with the county.

There are some services online that can get you the documents - usually for about $15-20 each - but you have to supply the name of the towns or counties in which the events took place. In some cases, it's just as easy to go directly to the websites of the town or county to get the documents - they are not available for free - usually at least $5 or $10 a copy. Google "birth certificates online" to get you started.

Proof of residence can be something as simple as a recent bill sent to grandfather at his residence - preferably a utility bill, showing his name as the responsible party. Or, if he has a current driver's license showing his address, or a voter registration card (if it includes his address - they don't always).
Cheers,
Bev

[spoonyluv]

Yeah sure, I'll take whatever you can give me :-)

The only problem I have is that my grandpa died 11 years ago. I mean there is proof through children, siblings and the rest of the family that he lived there plus a lot of papers. He always lived in the US. He was only absent during his time with the ARMY.

Anyway, are you older than 18 years crys? Cause it always looked that everything is over when you reach that age.

But keep me updated allright? It's always good to see that you are not the only one who is fighting the same battle :-)

By the way, I wrote a whole bunch of emails to immigration lawyers, assosication of americans abroad, DoS, US Embassies around the world (like New Zealand),... during the weekend. If I get any info I let you know ok? You can also gimme ur email address so we can stay in touch. If you want to.

Take care,

Kevin


PS: Thx for your help!!!

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by spoonyluv

My grandfather was a US citizen but my mother never knew she could claim US citizenship. By the way, my mother grew up in Germany and lives here ever since and had only the german citizenship until this year. Cause she just didn't know!

Germany is one of those that has issues with dual citizenship. It can be possible to retain your German citizenship after you naturalize as a USC -- but you have to apply to the German authorities first.

[spoonyluv]

Nah it's ok. I would even give up my german citizenship. But only(!) if get my american citizenship ;-)

I mean I know I could keep it under certain circumstances but I don't even want to you know. I don't have strong ties to th this country although I was born here. I even grew up over here but a little different that the regular german kid I guess.

My only priority is the US citizenship. And I will do whatever I can to get it. That why I pray to god that somebody will com here soon to enlighten me and provide me with the information I need to claim US citizenship. That's what I hope for.