dual citizenship

[Rorosgurl]

Hello guys.
Quick question please.
What is the best way for my baby to get his U.S citizenship?
I am a US citizen and my husband is a Canadian citizen and my baby was born in Canada.
I went to the post office in Michigan and they told me all I need is to apply for a passport for the baby. Would that consider being a dual citizenship? And what is the difference between a dual citizenship and just getting the American passport?

Also when do I need to apply for a social security for the baby?
And when I apply for a US social security number would I have to file for taxes in the US even thu we are all living in canada because of the benefits in canada bc its considered income?

Thanks guyss.

 

[keesio]

If you are a US citizen, then the baby already is a US citizen. You may need to get some proof of citizenship. Maybe you can just apply for a passport.

Being a dual citizen will not impact anything. As far as the US is concerned, your baby is a US citizen. The fact that your baby also is a Canadian is irreverent to the US.

All US citizens 18 and older must file US taxes. It doesn't matter where in the world your live. You must file. There is a tax treaty between the US and Canada to avoid most double taxation (if you pay taxes in Canada, you usually don't have to pay taxes to the US on the same income). But it can be very very complex and it is strongly recommended to find a cross-border tax specialist if you've never filed from abroad before.

 

[Rorosgurl]

Do we have a specific time frame to get his passport? Like an age limit?

 

[novembre2013]

Do we have a specific time frame to get his passport? Like an age limit?

no there is no age restriction.
I applied for my son's passport when he was 1 month.

 

[screech339]

Hello guys.
Quick question please.
What is the best way for my baby to get his U.S citizenship?
I am a US citizen and my husband is a Canadian citizen and my baby was born in Canada.
I went to the post office in Michigan and they told me all I need is to apply for a passport for the baby. Would that consider being a dual citizenship? And what is the difference between a dual citizenship and just getting the American passport?

Also when do I need to apply for a social security for the baby?
And when I apply for a US social security number would I have to file for taxes in the US even thu we are all living in canada because of the benefits in canada bc its considered income?

Thanks guyss.

Actually, just because only one parent is American, doesn't mean their child born outside US automatically will be American. If both parents are Americans, then the child is born American regardless where the child is born.

However in case of one parent being American and the other is non-American, there are rules for single American parent to pass on their citizenship. The American parent must have spent at least 5 years in US and 2 of those years must be after age of 14 I think.

Screech339

 

[Rorosgurl]

Actually, just because only one parent is American, doesn't mean their child born outside US automatically will be American. If both parents are Americans, then the child is born American regardless where the child is born.

However in case of one parent being American and the other is non-American, there are rules for single American parent to pass on their citizenship. The American parent must have spent at least 5 years in US and 2 of those years must be before age of 14 I think.

Screech339

Is there a website that states that?

 

[keesio]

Is there a website that states that?

Screech is correct:

http://canada.usembassy.gov/consular_services/birth-abroad.html

If your child was born on or after 11/14/86, and only one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the child's birth, the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the U.S. citizen parent was physically present in the USA for periods totaling five years prior to the child's birth, at least two of which where after their 14th birthday.

 

[ABCml]

If you are a US citizen, then the baby already is a US citizen. You may need to get some proof of citizenship. Maybe you can just apply for a passport.

Being a dual citizen will not impact anything. As far as the US is concerned, your baby is a US citizen. The fact that your baby also is a Canadian is irreverent to the US.

All US citizens 18 and older must file US taxes. It doesn't matter where in the world your live. You must file. There is a tax treaty between the US and Canada to avoid most double taxation (if you pay taxes in Canada, you usually don't have to pay taxes to the US on the same income). But it can be very very complex and it is strongly recommended to find a cross-border tax specialist if you've never filed from abroad before.

I was told the same thing when I moved here in 2006, bit my lip and paid the accountant way too much - finally filed both US and Canadian tax forms myself for the past two years - super easy with the free software provided by both governments.

 

[keesio]

I was told the same thing when I moved here in 2006, bit my lip and paid the accountant way too much - finally filed both US and Canadian tax forms myself for the past two years - super easy with the free software provided by both governments.

What software? I was actually thinking of starting to file US taxes myself...

 

[ABCml]

What software? I was actually thinking of starting to file US taxes myself...

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayers-Abroad-Can-Choose-IRS-Free-File%3B-Don%E2%80%99t-Forget-to-Report-Foreign-Accounts

 

[ABCml]

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayers-Abroad-Can-Choose-IRS-Free-File%3B-Don%E2%80%99t-Forget-to-Report-Foreign-Accounts

The system is closed from October 20, but reopens January 2015

 

[keesio]

interesting.... need to check this out. Thanks!

 

[Rorosgurl]

So which forms do I need to fill out to make sure he gets the proper prove as a US citizen? A passport? Or is there something else?

Thanks

 

[keesio]

So which forms do I need to fill out to make sure he gets the proper prove as a US citizen? A passport? Or is there something else?

Thanks

The first thing you need to do is report it and get a CRBA
http://canada.usembassy.gov/consular_services/birth-abroad.html (it's the same link I provided earlier)