The issue of dual citizenship for children is becoming increasingly relevant due to global migration and martial law in Ukraine. Find out about the legal nuances, registration procedures and peculiarities of the legislation of different countries regarding the acquisition of citizenship by children under 18

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Due to russia's full-scale invasion, many Ukrainian families were forced to leave their homeland. Many women gave birth to children outside of Ukraine. According to the UN, more than 50,000 Ukrainian children were born abroad.

This has raised a number of questions about the citizenship of children. Let's take a closer look at how to obtain Ukrainian citizenship for a child outside of Ukraine and whether dual citizenship is possible in different countries.

Peculiarities of obtaining Ukrainian citizenship for children born abroad

According to Ukrainian law, a child obtains Ukrainian citizenship if:

– both parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his or her birth;

– one of the parents has Ukrainian citizenship and the other is a foreigner;

– the child was born on the territory of Ukraine to foreign parents permanently residing in Ukraine.

The child's place of birth - whether on the territory of Ukraine or in another country - does not affect the right to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. However, for children born outside of Ukraine, there is a procedure for confirming the country's citizenship.

The procedure for registering a child as a citizen of Ukraine abroad

Registration of a newborn child as a citizen of Ukraine is possible only through a consular office. It is there that the following takes place:

– determination of the child's origin,

– assignment of a surname, name and patronymic,

– execution of the necessary documents.

Important deadlines and documents for registration

You must submit an application for registration

– within one month after the birth of the child

– in case of a stillborn child - within three days

The following documents are required for registration:

1. Medical certificate of birth (duly certified)

2. Passport of one of the parents

3. Application for registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine

The registration procedure is free of charge, and upon its completion, parents receive a certificate of registration of the child as a citizen of Ukraine.

We have described in detail the need and procedure for obtaining a certificate to confirm Ukrainian citizenship in this article.

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Peculiarities of obtaining citizenship in EU countries

Most EU countries adhere to the principle of single citizenship, but some countries have certain conditions for obtaining dual citizenship at birth.

Germany

To obtain German citizenship as a child, at least one of the parents must legally reside in the country for at least 8 years.

Additional requirements:

– permanent residence permit,

– proof of German language proficiency,

– financial stability of the family.

Greece and Ireland

– Greece: parents must legally reside in the country for at least 5 years before the birth of the child;

– Ireland: both parents must have legally resided in the country for at least 4 years before the child's birth.

France

There are several ways to obtain citizenship in this country:

1. If one of the parents is a French citizen, the child acquires citizenship automatically.

2. For children born in France to foreign parents, there is a special naturalization procedure, which provides for the possibility of filing a declaration for children aged 13-16 years, provided that the child must have lived in France for 5-11 years.

3. Children born in France to foreign parents who were themselves born in France “jus soli” automatically obtain French citizenship.

Baltic countries

Recognize only the principle of blood - children receive only the citizenship of their parents.

Countries with automatic granting of citizenship at birth

USA, Canada, Mexico and South American countries

– USA: all children born in the country automatically receive citizenship on the basis of a certificate from the maternity hospital. At the same time, upon reaching the age of 21, a child can obtain citizenship for his or her parents on the basis of family reunification.

– Canada: also grants citizenship to all newborns on its territory. To obtain citizenship, you need to submit a birth certificate and an application.

– Mexico: automatic citizenship for newborns with the possibility for parents to obtain citizenship after 2 years of residence and passing exams in the language and history of the state.

– Most South American countries grant citizenship at birth. The only exceptions are Peru, where citizenship is granted upon reaching the age of 18, and Colombia, where at least one parent must have a residence permit at the time of the child's birth.

Caribbean countries

These countries also grant automatic citizenship at birth. Note that such citizenship provides additional benefits:

– visa-free travel to Schengen countries and the UK;

– simplified obtainment of a US tourist visa;

– benefits when applying to British universities, etc.

Recommendations for obtaining dual citizenship

First of all, it should be understood that Ukraine currently has no laws recognizing dual citizenship, which means that even if a child has a passport of another country, he or she is still considered a citizen of Ukraine. Accordingly, such children are subject to the rights and obligations of Ukrainian citizens.

When making a decision, it is important to consider long-term prospects and possible challenges. If you are planning to give birth to a child abroad or to obtain a passport of another state for your child through naturalization, it is important to prepare carefully for this procedure and be sure to consult with migration lawyers. This will allow you to identify all the pitfalls and legal nuances and learn about possible legal conflicts in time.

You can get expert advice on the specifics of obtaining citizenship in a particular country on the Visit Ukraine portal. Our experts will provide you with comprehensive answers to your questions and, if necessary, help you prepare the necessary documents. Contact our specialists to avoid additional risks.

We remind you! Citizens of Ukraine whose child was born in evacuation abroad can receive assistance from the state remotely. Read how to do this in 2024 in our previous article.

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