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I recently found out some information that is of interest to me, my daughters, and perhaps to other Finlander members who may not be aware of the 2003 Nationality Act in Finland. There is an article on the Finnish news Website - http://sydaby.eget.net/swe/e.htm - about dual-citizenship options: “Citizens with Two Passports.”
The Nationality Act allows dual citizenship to former Finnish citizens or the children of a former Finnish national through an application process. The article states that most of the declarations have been submitted in the United States.
I contacted the Finnish Embassy yesterday, and they were extremely helpful. Although both of my parents were born in the USA, I could be considered eligible because my father is eligible (since his father was born in Finland). And – according the person I spoke with – when (if) my dual citizenship application is approved, my children would then be eligible. I would need to establish my lineage from my Finnish ancestor by submitting my grandparents’ and parents’ marriage certificates, my father's and my birth certificates, and other documents, which I have, thanks to my genealogy interests ;-)
Some FACTS from the article:
• Fee for the citizenship declarations is 300 euros, declaration for a minor alone is 100 euros, and for a person over 65, 250 euros
• The application will be processed in 2-6 months
• The decision is made by the Directorate of Immigration in Finland
There is more information on the “Directorate of Immigration” website: http://www.uvi.fi/netcomm/Default.asp?language=EN
Also, the Embassy of Finland website describes the Act: http://www.finland.or.jp/kansalaisuuslaki-en.html
I have two questions:
1) Has anyone in this forum done this? If so, I would like any recommendations you might have re submitting the application and paperwork.
2) I can only think of positives of dual citizenship, but think that there could be some negatives, and appreciate your thoughts about this. For example, would this affect or jeopardize my U.S. citizenship in some way?
Sandy
Gainesville, Florida
The Nationality Act allows dual citizenship to former Finnish citizens or the children of a former Finnish national through an application process. The article states that most of the declarations have been submitted in the United States.
I contacted the Finnish Embassy yesterday, and they were extremely helpful. Although both of my parents were born in the USA, I could be considered eligible because my father is eligible (since his father was born in Finland). And – according the person I spoke with – when (if) my dual citizenship application is approved, my children would then be eligible. I would need to establish my lineage from my Finnish ancestor by submitting my grandparents’ and parents’ marriage certificates, my father's and my birth certificates, and other documents, which I have, thanks to my genealogy interests ;-)
Some FACTS from the article:
• Fee for the citizenship declarations is 300 euros, declaration for a minor alone is 100 euros, and for a person over 65, 250 euros
• The application will be processed in 2-6 months
• The decision is made by the Directorate of Immigration in Finland
There is more information on the “Directorate of Immigration” website: http://www.uvi.fi/netcomm/Default.asp?language=EN
Also, the Embassy of Finland website describes the Act: http://www.finland.or.jp/kansalaisuuslaki-en.html
I have two questions:
1) Has anyone in this forum done this? If so, I would like any recommendations you might have re submitting the application and paperwork.
2) I can only think of positives of dual citizenship, but think that there could be some negatives, and appreciate your thoughts about this. For example, would this affect or jeopardize my U.S. citizenship in some way?
Sandy
Gainesville, Florida
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