Dual Citizenship - Belgium

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cny_dude

Registered Users (C)
I just filed my N400, and I am now trying to figure out the dual citizenship thing.

To be honest, I am very loyal, and have no problems giving up my Belgian citizenship, if it weren't for the fact that my side of the family still lives there, and I am a little concerned about my mother's health as she is getting older. So I would like the ability to have to stay longer if needed, without having to deal with any paperwork, should the need arise (I haven't left the US in many years).

It looks like Belgium has no issue with me having dual citizenship (passport expired years ago tho), so I guess the big question is, how do I deal with this from the US side (who do I ask, forms, etc.), without looking like an ungrateful person?

Thanks!
 
cny_dude said:
I guess the big question is, how do I deal with this from the US side (who do I ask, forms, etc.), without looking like an ungrateful person?
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Naturalization is not denied on the grounds of "insufficient gratitude". There is nothing special for you to do. Canada still considers me a citizen.
 
You have to do NOTHING on the US side- just apply for a passport. Renew your Belgian passport, too. With both, you're set to travel. The US is often slapped with heavy visa fees, so the Belgian passport will save you a lot of money in many cases.
 
cafeconleche said:
You have to do NOTHING on the US side- just apply for a passport. Renew your Belgian passport, too. With both, you're set to travel. The US is often slapped with heavy visa fees, so the Belgian passport will save you a lot of money in many cases.
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I was mostly concerned about the Oath, which mentions ""I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince". I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be in conflict with having dual citizenship.

As for the Belgian passport, how do I renew this? Do I do this via the Embassy in Washington, DC (using mail I guess)? Thanks!
 
cny_dude said:
I was mostly concerned about the Oath, which mentions ""I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince". I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be in conflict with having dual citizenship.

As for the Belgian passport, how do I renew this? Do I do this via the Embassy in Washington, DC (using mail I guess)? Thanks!
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Many countries regard that phrase as a formal renunciation and are fine with it. However, say in the unlikely event that the US and Belgium enter a war against each other, the US can say based on your oath that you give up your Belgian citizenship.

Now that's the status-quo and the US Department of State "recognizes" that dual citizenship exists. Though the wording sounds like that they are not very happy about it. Anyway, when entering/leaving the US use your US passport and be a US citizen. You can use your Belgian passport in other countries if need be.

As for renewal, check with the Belgian embassy if the embassy directly is responsible for the state you are living in. It might be that your state is served by a certain Belgian consulate. Check the website of the Belgian Embassy.
 
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cny_dude said:
I was mostly concerned about the Oath, which mentions ""I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince". I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be in conflict with having dual citizenship.
Click to expand...

It depends. My other country of citizenship doesn't consider that oath to be a valid renunciation of citizenship, and there is no US law that prevents me from claiming to be a Canadian citizen when in Canada. Hence no conflict. Other countries may be different.
 
So if I am understanding correctly, if I just follow the N400 process, I am automatically keeping my Belgian citizenship, unless I contact the Belgian consulat/embassy and renounce it? Or do I have to file a form/tell someone that I would like to keep it (ignoring the fact I still need to get a new Belgian passport either way)? Thanks guys!
 
Sinds 9 juni 2007 geldt voor alle Belgen de nieuwe wet op de dubbele nationaliteit. Die zegt dat u bij een naturalisatie de Belgische nationaliteit behoudt, tenzij u uitdrukkelijk de Belgische nationaliteit opgeeft.
Als u zich bijvoorbeeld tot Amerikaan laat naturaliseren, dan blijft u Belg, tenzij u uw Belgische nationaliteit inlevert.

De wet op de dubbele nationaliteit vereist geen formaliteiten. U hoeft geen verklaring af te leggen bij een gemeentelijke dienst of bij een diplomatieke post in het buitenland.

That's from http://www.belgium.be/nl/familie/identiteit/nationaliteit/dubbele_nationaliteit/

You're good to go.
 
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