Legal Help Needed: US Citizenship Claim Through Father with Limited Documentation

[surada]

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately, just having his birth certificate isn’t enough in my case. The issue is that he didn’t meet the requirement of living in the US for at least 10 years, with 5 of those years after his 14th birthday. That’s where I’m getting stuck, and it’s why proving his citizenship through other means is so challenging for me.

I think you have misunderstood the statute. There's no timetable for his US citizenship to kick in. If he was born in the US he is a US citizen from birth. I wish I could explain it to you better.

 

[Curried Goats]

Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to my father's birth certificate, and the lack of documentation is a major hurdle for me. The suggestion of DNA testing makes sense, but without his citizenship being confirmed first, I feel like I’m stuck in a catch-22 situation.

It’s frustrating to think that my connection to the U.S. could be so easily dismissed due to missing paperwork, especially when my father lived in the U.S. for so long and had a passport. It’s like the system is set up to make it as difficult as possible for people in my situation.

I’ll explore the DNA testing option, but I’m worried that even with that, I might not get the outcome I need.

The DNA testing has to be done through your Consulate I believe. It's been a while since I had to do it. They have their own labs they contract with for that sort of thing.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

surada Meathead
I was born in Germany, and my father was also born in Germany. Unlike my grandfather, my father didn’t live in the US for an extended period. In fact, it was my grandfather who spent decades living in the United States before eventually moving back to Germany with his family. During my childhood, my father held a US passport, but unfortunately, I don’t have any documents that can prove his US citizenship now, which has made this whole process extremely at complicates things further is that my grandfather likely served in the US military during his time in the States, though I don’t have direct documentation of this either. Given that he lived in the US for such a long time and possibly served in the military, I’m hoping that these factors might help establish my father’s citizenship and, by extension, my own eligibility for US citizenship.

I’m trying to navigate this situation with the limited information I have, and I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to proceed—whether that’s through military records, immigration documents, or any other means thatnaturalization could help prove the necessary connections to the US.

If your father was born in Germany and you were born in Germany, you likely have no claim to US citizenship at at all. It wasn't your father that lived here for an extended period of time, It was your grandfather. Your grandfather may or may not have been a naturalized citizen and may or may not have served in the American military. Military records are kept by the Pentagon. Look there.

All naturalization records are kept by the US Citizenship and Immigration services.

What you want to know is if you can inherit US citizenship from a dual citizen grandparent when your direct parent was born in the ancestral homeland. An immigration lawyer would tell you right away. Off hand, I would bet not.

 

[MarathonMike]

for so long and had a passport

I haven't read the whole thread, but have you contacted the US State Dept to try and track down your Father's old passport?

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Thank you for your response. I understand that I would be a citizen if my father was, but I'm struggling to prove his citizenship due to a lack of documentation. He had a US passport during my childhood, but I don’t have access to any records that confirm his citizenship status now.

Given that his father lived in the US for decades before moving back to Germany, do you think there could be a way to prove my father's citizenship through my grandfather's records? Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

What about your father's birth certificate showing he was born in the US and your birth certificate indicating he is your father? Seems that should be sufficient to me.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately, just having his birth certificate isn’t enough in my case. The issue is that he didn’t meet the requirement of living in the US for at least 10 years, with 5 of those years after his 14th birthday. That’s where I’m getting stuck, and it’s why proving his citizenship through other means is so challenging for me.

Are you sure of this requirement? Doesn't sound right to me unless he was trying to run for office. .

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

If your father was born in Germany and you were born in Germany, you likely have no claim to US citizenship at at all. It wasn't your father that lived here for an extended period of time, It was your grandfather. Your grandfather may or may not have been a naturalized citizen and may or may not have served in the American military. Military records are kept by the Pentagon. Look there.

All naturalization records are kept by the US Citizenship and Immigration services.

What you want to know is if you can inherit US citizenship from a dual citizen grandparent when your direct parent was born in the ancestral homeland. An immigration lawyer would tell you right away. Off hand, I would bet not.

Actually, they are not.

 

[Arlette]

Thank you for your response. I understand that I would be a citizen if my father was, but I'm struggling to prove his citizenship due to a lack of documentation. He had a US passport during my childhood, but I don’t have access to any records that confirm his citizenship status now.

Given that his father lived in the US for decades before moving back to Germany, do you think there could be a way to prove my father's citizenship through my grandfather's records? Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

If your father had a US password he was a citizen.

 

[Unkotare]

If your father had a US password he was a citizen.

Or a passport.

 

[Arlette]

Or a passport.

huh?

 

[Missourian]

Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to my father's birth certificate, and the lack of documentation is a major hurdle for me. The suggestion of DNA testing makes sense, but without his citizenship being confirmed first, I feel like I’m stuck in a catch-22 situation.

It’s frustrating to think that my connection to the U.S. could be so easily dismissed due to missing paperwork, especially when my father lived in the U.S. for so long and had a passport. It’s like the system is set up to make it as difficult as possible for people in my situation.

I’ll explore the DNA testing option, but I’m worried that even with that, I might not get the outcome I need.

Almost every state has a Department of Vital Statistics aka Office of Vital Records.

When my BC was destroyed in a fire, I was able to apply for a new one from this office.

This is the one for Missouri...

Bureau of Vital Records | Health & Senior Services

Department of Health and Senior Services Vital Records web page.

health.mo.gov

 

[Missourian]

Or a passport.

The password is... "citizen".

 

[BackAgain]

Hello everyone,

I'm reaching out to seek legal advice regarding my attempt to claim US citizenship through my father.

Background: My father was a US citizen and held a US passport during my childhood. I was born outside the United States, and I'm currently trying to obtain US citizenship through him. Unfortunately, I lack direct documentation proving his US citizenship, and to complicate matters, I don’t believe he met the residency requirement of 10 years in the US, with at least 5 of those years after the age of 14, which the law seems to mandate for me to be eligible.

Steps I’ve taken:

I submitted my application to the US embassy, including my birth certificate and a family register.
I requested their assistance in verifying my father’s US citizenship, but I’m concerned that the residency requirement will disqualify me.

Additional Concerns: I am also deeply concerned about my safety in Germany. The country feels increasingly unsafe due to the rising number of violent incidents involving migrants, and I fear for my life every day. This makes obtaining US citizenship even more urgent for me, as I seek to move to a safer environment.

I’m looking for advice on the following:

Are there any legal precedents or alternative paths to claim citizenship despite not meeting the residency requirement?
What additional steps or documentation should I consider to strengthen my case?
Would it be advisable to seek legal representation at this stage?

I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation and the growing insecurity in Germany. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or similar experiences that anyone here can share.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Beware of any legal advice you get on line.

As I believe you already are aware, there is a path for you to obtain your citizenship. Your difficulty is a lack of corroborating paperwork (which you might be able to obtain directly from immigration).

The requirement of those number of years may not be so easily circumvented.

I suggest that what you need is a well experienced immigration attorney. Some immigration representatives are not lawyers at all and there is no legal requirement that they even be lawyers. So, shop around and do some homework on the qualifications and background of your lawyer.

 

[BackAgain]

The following link apparently comes from a lawyer. I have no idea how qualified he is. But the information here can and should be verified.

Can I Obtain U.S. Citizenship Through My Grandparent? Exploring Your Options

Wondering if you can obtain U.S. citizenship through a U.S. citizen grandparent? This guide explores the complex process, including eligibility criteria and steps involved. Keep in mind that immigration laws have evolved over the years, so qualifying for citizenship requires a detailed analysis...

rjimmigrationlaw.com