Is it legal for a U.S. citizen to receive/use diplomatic passport of another country?
Nov 9, 2005, 11:35 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Is it legal for a U.S. citizen to receive/use diplomatic passport of another country?
Is it legal for a U.S. citizen to receive/use diplomatic passport of another country? (not for entering/exiting the USA)
Here's the situation:
My friend was born in the USA while his parents were sent here to work in a company. After he was born, the parents applied and received U.S. passport. When the parents were transferred back to the home country, he went back with them. At this time, he also automatically received the home country's passport.
Fast-foward to present day. His parents work for the home country's gov't and are now sent to a third country as diplomats. They obviously are using the home country gov't issued diplomatic passports. Since my friend is still in college, at age 19, he was also automatically issued a dependent diplomatic passport.
Now my friend have both a US passport and a foreign diplomatic passport.
Obviously wheneve he travels back to the USA, he uses his US passport. (but he does carry both passports with him most of the time) However, when he goes to visit his parents in that third country, he presents his diplomatic passport.
Does the possession of the foreign diplomatic passport put him at any danger as far as his U.S. citizenship is concerned? This may be a moot issue in a couple of years, as his status for dependent diplomatic passort expires when he reaces the age of 21. However, this does not change the fact that at one time he did have a foreign diplomatic passport.
Any information appreciated.
Here's the situation:
My friend was born in the USA while his parents were sent here to work in a company. After he was born, the parents applied and received U.S. passport. When the parents were transferred back to the home country, he went back with them. At this time, he also automatically received the home country's passport.
Fast-foward to present day. His parents work for the home country's gov't and are now sent to a third country as diplomats. They obviously are using the home country gov't issued diplomatic passports. Since my friend is still in college, at age 19, he was also automatically issued a dependent diplomatic passport.
Now my friend have both a US passport and a foreign diplomatic passport.
Obviously wheneve he travels back to the USA, he uses his US passport. (but he does carry both passports with him most of the time) However, when he goes to visit his parents in that third country, he presents his diplomatic passport.
Does the possession of the foreign diplomatic passport put him at any danger as far as his U.S. citizenship is concerned? This may be a moot issue in a couple of years, as his status for dependent diplomatic passort expires when he reaces the age of 21. However, this does not change the fact that at one time he did have a foreign diplomatic passport.
Any information appreciated.
Nov 9, 2005, 2:03 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
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The default is, he doesn't lose his US citizenship unless he expresses a wish to do so.
That said, certain positions imply that wish (eg being appointed Brig Gen in another country's army). However, so long as only his parents hold a role, & he's just along for the ride, then I wouldn't think that would be a problem.
That said, certain positions imply that wish (eg being appointed Brig Gen in another country's army). However, so long as only his parents hold a role, & he's just along for the ride, then I wouldn't think that would be a problem.
Nov 9, 2005, 3:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
In general he would loose citizenship... there is some fine print on th passport application form on that...
but as chartreused said, its not him having the job. BUT he is legally an adult nad he is the one officially applying for it... so he is at risk
but as chartreused said, its not him having the job. BUT he is legally an adult nad he is the one officially applying for it... so he is at risk
Nov 9, 2005, 3:39 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, HH Gold, dirt loads of places.
Posts: 1,657
Originally Posted by roundtheworld
In general he would loose citizenship... there is some fine print on th passport application form on that...
but as chartreused said, its not him having the job. BUT he is legally an adult nad he is the one officially applying for it... so he is at risk
but as chartreused said, its not him having the job. BUT he is legally an adult nad he is the one officially applying for it... so he is at risk
US law is clear, outside certain acts, one can't lose one's citizenship by accident.
Nov 9, 2005, 6:46 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,345
No roundtheworld, again you are wrong in these matters. This kid himself is NOT serving another country in a political or military role, so he has nothing at all to lose. For that matter when mandatory conscription is practised by a country that a US citizen has dual citizenship with it does NOT effect ones US citizenship when performed in most countries, for that matter one CAN serve as an official in a foreign government as long as approval is given by either the state or defense depts. beforehand (as can be evidenced by literally dozens of Eastern European diplomats and military personnel who have dual citizenship).
Nov 10, 2005, 12:04 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 247
btw, passports are merely travel documents. It doesn't really matter how many you collect from different countries, because in the end, you're only going to show one of them at immigration. As for the diplomatic tinge, hfly explained it pretty well.