Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: Birthright
• Method 2 of 5: Non-birth rights
• Method 3 of 5: Renunciation of Citizenship
• Method 4 of 5: Consequences of Dual Citizenship
• Method 5 of 5: Obtaining a Second Citizenship
• Tips
• Warnings

Each person is a citizen of a state, but some people have citizenship of two or more states. Dual citizenship is not easy to obtain, but obtaining it can cause many problems. Below are tips on how to acquire dual citizenship.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Birthright

1. 1 Check the laws of the country where you were born. For example, if you were born in the United States, this gives you the right to automatically become a citizen of that country. This law is called the "principle of soil" or the acquisition of citizenship at the place of birth. However, for example, Switzerland does not give such a right.
2. 2 Parents' citizenship. Consult about eligibility based on your parents' current or past citizenship. Some countries grant citizenship through the marriage of parents - by right of blood, if the parents have the citizenship of that state, even if the child was not born in that country.

Method 2 of 5: Non-birth rights

1. 1 Citizenship by reason of marriage. Some countries grant citizenship to foreign spouses of their citizens, but this does not happen immediately.Foreigners have to live in the country for several years and go through the naturalization process.
2. 2 Naturalization. In addition to being born in a country and marrying a foreigner, there are other options for obtaining citizenship of another country. Many countries grant citizenship by naturalization upon legal stay in the country for a certain period of time.

Method 3 of 5: Renunciation of Citizenship

1. 1 Check if the laws of both countries allow dual citizenship. Some countries require renunciation of citizenship when obtaining citizenship of another country. Refusal, depending on the laws of the country, can be a formal notification of the relevant authorities or an official procedure. In this case, possession of dual citizenship is impossible.

Method 4 of 5: Consequences of Dual Citizenship

1. 1 Possible problems. Each of the two countries of which you are a citizen will ignore your belonging to the other country. Thus, you will be drafted into the army of both states, there will also be double taxation and visa restrictions for each of the countries.
   • Taxes. In most countries, laws require that taxes be paid to the country where the money was earned (except in the United States).
   • Refusal to serve in the army. In developed countries, it is not difficult to refuse military service. However, if you are a citizen of a developing country with compulsory military service, then you will have to resolve this issue with the help of a lawyer. In case of failure to complete military service, there may be restrictions on entry and exit from the country.
   • Be careful when traveling. When visiting a country that is not friendly with one of the states of which you are a citizen, you may have problems.

Method 5 of 5: Obtaining a Second Citizenship

1. 1 Get a second citizenship by naturalization. To do this, you must legally live in the country for a certain period of time, confirm the level of language proficiency and pass a test of knowledge of the history and culture of the country
2. 2 Marriage to a foreigner. In most cases, marriage does not automatically grant the citizenship of the country, but it makes the naturalization process easier and faster.

Tips

• Detailed and reliable information on citizenship issues can be obtained from the consulate or embassy of the country you are interested in.

Warnings

• Not all countries recognize second citizenship. The United States allows its citizens to hold a second citizenship, but some countries do not grant this right. Ask in advance, because later, due to ignorance of the laws, you can lose one of the citizenships.
• After obtaining dual citizenship, You MUST obey the laws of both countries..