Question about a US passport for dual citizen

[Smokering]

I was born in America, but left at 5 months and have never been back. My parents registered me for Australian citizenship by descent, so technically I'm an Aussie (who now lives in NZ). To my knowledge I'm still also a US citizen, though, simply by virtue of having been born there.

We're going to Disneyland next year, and I was planning on using my current Aussie passport (with DH on his NZ one and my toddler on a new Kiwi one too). But Mum said she's heard that being a US citizen, I HAVE to renew my old American passport and can't travel there on my Australian one.

Does anyone know anything about this? I really hope it's not true - getting my Aussie passport renewed a few years back was nightmare enough, and I could do without the expense. It seems like an insane rule, but Mum insisted I investigate it. So...?

 

[Calliaz]

I am not an expert, but it appears that you may be required to travel into and out of the US on a US passport:

"Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship."

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

 

[beckinoz]

Hi. I was born in the States too and found out that you have to leave Australia on your Aus Passport and enter the States on your US. To return you do the opposite. I was told that if I went on my Oz one there may be a chance they wouldn't let me out of the States or they could refuse entry.
Best thing to do is call the Embassy for advice.
Hope it helps.
Beck

 

[JeannieNM]

This maybe of help http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
In general US passports are less expensive then other countries. It may not be as big an ordeal as you think. http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

 

[MomToOne]

You can renounce your US citizenship at any US Embassy or Consulate if you'd like.

That said, I honestly don't think you'll have a problem if you enter under your Austrailian passport. Your US Citizenship is more of a technicality it sounds like, not something you actively claim.

However, if you ever plan on taking advantage of your US citizenship, then you definitely should get a US passport and use it to always enter the US.

(Also be aware that if you enter the US on a US Passport, the Austrailian Embassy probably won't even talk to you if you got into any sort of problem.)

 

[nana50]

My nephew was born here and lived here until he was a few months old. When he comes to visit, he uses only a Canadian passport. Why would thestates even know where you were born? Does it say that on the passport?

 

[nana50]

Just looked at my Canadian passport, yep, it does say where you were born..................never mind.

 

[beckinoz]

Hi again,
Having gone through your situation myself, I found it was easier to pay the $150US for a new passport then renounce my citizenship. There are a lot of hoops to jump though if you choose that option, but the choice is totally up to you.
Hope it helps,
Beck

 

[Smokering]

Yeah, I figured renouncing my citizenship would require more red tape. Plus, it seems silly to renounce it when it miiiiight be useful one day... I mean, I have no current plans to move to the US or anything, but people do all sorts of wacky things to get US citizenship!

I will get the US passport - I don't want to chance it with the Australian one. It'd be terrible to miss out on Disneyland because I wasn't allowed past the Auckland airport. Ack. I hate legal stuff.

 

[glendalais]

There's also a flipside to getting a U.S. Passport.

U.S. Citizens are required by law to file tax returns with the Federal Government and pay taxes on their worldwide income, regardless of whether or not they're currently living in the United States.

While there are tax treaties between the U.S. and both Australia and New Zealand to avoid double taxation, you're probably still required to file the paperwork. As such, depending on how the IRS views it, drawing attention to the fact that you're a U.S. Citizen could theoretically lead to you being inadvertently charged with income tax evasion.

I personally don't see any problems with using your Australian Passport to travel. If asked, just say you've lived outside the United States your entire life, you've never considered yourself American, and that you're just surprised by the whole matter. I imagine they'll just let you in with a most a stern warning to use U.S. documents in the future or to present yourself at a U.S. Diplomatic Post to renounce your claim to citizenship upon your return home.

 

[Smokering]

...Crikey. I'm going to be arrested on the steps of the Castle.