Dual citizenship issue

NeptunePride

NeptunePride

NAPS’24
Joined
Feb 4, 2023
Messages
96
Good evening,
I have dual citizenship, and I am a little bit worried of what’s going to happen with my non-US citizenship once I enter USNA.
Do I have to give it up? Or are there other ways of going into USNA keeping my non-US citizenship.

I have both citizenships by birth.

Thank you.
 
It may depend on your clearance level, but be prepared to renounce your foreign citizenship. Had some friends who were dual citizens and were directed to renounce upon being processed for a TS clearance. If the other country allows it, you can try to regain that citizenship when you leave the military and don’t need a security clearance anymore.
 
We had the same dilemma with my DD. After careful thought she decided to give up her other dual citizenship. She currently has TS. As mentioned above she wants a job that will require TS/SCI. At this level of clearance it may be best to have just the US Citizenship, even though the military state that it’s ok to have dual citizenship from an allied nation. Our DS has TS/SCI and he only kept the US Citizenship at birth throughout his life.

When signing various documents at USNA before reporting to Plebe Summer, you are required to sign a document renouncing other nation citizenship.

I hope our example is helpful in your decision making.
 
CrewDad said:
At this level of clearance it may be best to have just the US Citizenship, even though the military state that it’s ok to have dual citizenship from an allied nation.
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This isn't broadly true. The determination is case-by-case, and depends on the nation, compartment in question, and various other adjudication factors.

I would renounce it. It is very likely you will need to renounce it later in your career anyway, but at that point someone might also question why you decided to hold onto it for so long in the first place.

If you decide to hold onto it, I would specifically advise against exercising any citizenship rights of that other nation (e.g. using the foreign nation passport, voting, etc.).
 
nuensis said:
This isn't broadly true. The determination is case-by-case, and depends on the nation, compartment in question, and various other adjudication factors.

I would renounce it. It is very likely you will need to renounce it later in your career anyway, but at that point someone might also question why you decided to hold onto it for so long in the first place.

If you decide to hold onto it, I would specifically advise against exercising any citizenship rights of that other nation (e.g. using the foreign nation passport, voting, etc.).
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I figured it would be case by case as you mentioned which means it is left to those administering TS to have discretionary authority while following regulations. I think better done than later for the reasons you stated. We read it from the Navy sites what the rules and regulations are regarding dual citizenship in addition to asking those who actually evaluate TS.
 
For the OP, I would just put this on the backburner until you eventually receive direction from your chain of command. If they need you to renounce your citizenship, they’ll tell you. (Just be prepared to do so, as I said). It’s a fairly simple errand to take care of from what I understand.
 
My DS has dual citizenship. He did not have to sign any paperwork before reporting to PS renouncing his non-USA citizenship. He has been told he cannot travel on the non-USA passport and that he may need to renounce it in the future.
 
DutchAmerican said:
My DS has dual citizenship. He did not have to sign any paperwork before reporting to PS renouncing his non-USA citizenship. He has been told he cannot travel on the non-USA passport and that he may need to renounce it in the future.
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Thank you
 
Kierkegaard said:
It may depend on your clearance level, but be prepared to renounce your foreign citizenship. Had some friends who were dual citizens and were directed to renounce upon being processed for a TS clearance. If the other country allows it, you can try to regain that citizenship when you leave the military and don’t need a security clearance anymore.
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When my sons (twins) were appointed to the Class of 2013, I recall it being a requirement to give up any dual citizenship as a criterion for admission. It was not something that would be addressed later. No denouncement, no admission. My sons didn't have dual citizenship of any kind, so it didn't matter. But I distinctly remember that requirement. It may have changed since then, however.
 
Memphis9489 said:
When my sons (twins) were appointed to the Class of 2013, I recall it being a requirement to give up any dual citizenship as a criterion for admission. It was not something that would be addressed later. No denouncement, no admission. My sons didn't have dual citizenship of any kind, so it didn't matter. But I distinctly remember that requirement. It may have changed since then, however.
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While I was at NASS, I asked about this and was told that I had to surrender my passport and sign a form saying I would renounce my citizenship if asked, but I haven’t verified it with a second source because I figure it doesn’t matter since I’ll do what I have to do if I am accepted.

Most ROTC sources seem to say what your sons experience was, so I’d be surprised if they’d be different.
 
Duel citizenship should not be a problem while at USNA. However, it may preclude you from obtaining certain security clearances and job assignments after commissioning. Pro Tip: You should discuss this directly with Admissions to understand the full impact. Do not rely on SAF for this issue.
 
My son did AFrotc so it is slightly different. What they tell you is that you don't have to renounce the other citizenship automatically. They want to know if you are willing to renounce it if asked. Since my son had dual citizenship although he was born in the US and wanted to be a pilot, we had him renounce his non-US citizenship before he even commissioned. Although his dual citizenship came from a huge US ally, both nations are very distrustful of each other. When he went through his security clearance meeting, he was told that the other nation had just come off the US blacklist so it wasn't counted against him. On the other hand, since my wife was born in that foreign country (US citizen now) and my other son also had dual citizenship (US born) they came into the discussion. I on the other hand, who was born in Argentina was basically ignored. I guess they aren't worried about us. The country he renounced his citizenship from doesn't typically allow you to do so until you are much older as they have a military draft and the only reason to renounce it is to avoid military duty. However once we told him he was joining the US military, they let him go.

They do say that if you are US/UK or US/Canadian, they aren't to concerned about you.
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
Pro Tip: You should discuss this directly with Admissions to understand the full impact. Do not rely on SAF for this issue.
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I support this, forget what anyone has said here (including me). Ask admissions as a candidate. Once you're a MIDN, I would go further to say this is a problem for the security office at USNA.

You will sign some paperwork with the security manager at some point. Ask about it then. For me it was during Plebe Summer.

In the end there's only one place that can tell you ground truth about requirements for security clearances, and it's not even at USNA. Anything anyone else says is gouge, likely based on anecdotal evidence.
 
nuensis said:
I support this, forget what anyone has said here (including me). Ask admissions as a candidate. Once you're a MIDN, I would go further to say this is a problem for the security office at USNA.

You will sign some paperwork with the security manager at some point. Ask about it then. For me it was during Plebe Summer.

In the end there's only one place that can tell you ground truth about requirements for security clearances, and it's not even at USNA. Anything anyone else says is gouge, likely based on anecdotal evidence.
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As far as this issue is concerned, the candidate should not have to proactively research this and contact people. If giving up one's dual citizenship is a requirement for admission, it will be clearly indicated in a "checklist" prior to admission. It will come up in the normal course of events. There are certain things that a candidate who has received an appointment must still accomplish prior to I-Day. The Navy is not going to require a candidate to give up their dual citizenship. It's not an issue until they receive an appointment.
 
Memphis9489 said:
As far as this issue is concerned, the candidate should not have to proactively research this and contact people. If giving up one's dual citizenship is a requirement for admission, it will be clearly indicated in a "checklist" prior to admission. It will come up in the normal course of events. There are certain things that a candidate who has received an appointment must still accomplish prior to I-Day. The Navy is not going to require a candidate to give up their dual citizenship. It's not an issue until they receive an appointment.
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I agree OP shouldn't be worried about this right now. But they are, so here we are, attempting to temper their anxiety.

I missed OP's tagline--it'll get taken care of shortly.
 
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