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Yesterday afternoon, I participated in a citizenship ceremony at the Oxfordshire County Hall. Thus, since about 15:30 yesterday, your friendly neighbourhood Nomad is also your friendly British neighbourhood Nomad. Tis true, dear friends, I am now a Brit. Huzzah!
Some of you may recall this entry, from last November, in which we announced that my beloved![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cheshcat had been approved for British citizenship. Now I have followed in her footsteps.
There was a remarkable sense of déjà vu, given that my ceremony had the same Deputy Lieutenant representing the Queen. The venue was, of course, the same; the procedure was the same; all the speeches were the same. Excepting the fact that the Lieutenant's mobile phone stayed silent this time -- she had accidentally left it on atcheshcat's ceremony; it rang several times whilst she was speaking -- I could have been watching a 3D full-sensory replay of December, when cheshcat became British.
Here is a picture, taken by the professional photographer, of yours truly receiving my certificate of naturalisation:
Citizen Nomad
(click for full-sized version)
That piece of paper I am taking is the actual, honest-to-goodness legal document that proves I am now a British citizen. We are not supposed to do anything to it -- not even laminate for safekeeping. I am going to need that paper as-is when I apply for my UK passport.
In addition, new citizens get a "welcome pack" that includes a "Commemorative Certificate of Citizenship". No legal value whatsoever, but it is certainly prettier than the official paper! Much more suitable for framing and hanging. In fact, I have already put mine in a nice new frame; it shall soon reside on a wall in Chiron Beta Prime, next to wherecheshcat's C.C.C. has been hanging since December.
Here is another photograph, taken bycheshcat after the ceremony had concluded, of everybody's favourite Nomad holding his pretty commemorative certificate:
"Rosebud..."
(click for full-sized version)
The most common comment I have received about all this (besides "congratulations", of course!) is that I now need to acquire a proper accent. The most common question is whether I have had to give up my US citizenship -- the answer to that is "no". Both the United States and the United Kingdom permit their citizens to hold more than one nationality[*] Thus, I am now a dual citizen, or what we like to call a "half-and-half".
Besides the psychological benefit of no longer being a foreigner, there are also practical legal benefits. I have already begun to take advantage of these -- this morning, I registered to vote in the United Kingdom and requested a registration form for voting in European Union elections. When I there is a six week gap where I will not be leaving the country (November?), I will also apply for my British passport. Indeed, once I am able to vote and have my UK passport, there will be absolutely no difference between my legal status in the US and my legal status in the UK.
This is the end of a long process that stretched on for more than seven years. I've certainly come a long way from where I was in Spring 2006, just arriving in a country where I knew no one and had difficulty with even simple tasks like getting a bank account (due to no prior credit history). It's nice to reach the end of this road and finally claim to be a citizen of my adopted home!
[*] There are countries that do not, like Japan. Likewise, Germany does not permit this except under some rather unusual circumstances (e.g., a child who was a dual citizen from birth).
Some of you may recall this entry, from last November, in which we announced that my beloved
cheshcat had been approved for British citizenship. Now I have followed in her footsteps.There was a remarkable sense of déjà vu, given that my ceremony had the same Deputy Lieutenant representing the Queen. The venue was, of course, the same; the procedure was the same; all the speeches were the same. Excepting the fact that the Lieutenant's mobile phone stayed silent this time -- she had accidentally left it on at
cheshcat's ceremony; it rang several times whilst she was speaking -- I could have been watching a 3D full-sensory replay of December, when cheshcat became British.Here is a picture, taken by the professional photographer, of yours truly receiving my certificate of naturalisation:
(click for full-sized version)
That piece of paper I am taking is the actual, honest-to-goodness legal document that proves I am now a British citizen. We are not supposed to do anything to it -- not even laminate for safekeeping. I am going to need that paper as-is when I apply for my UK passport.
In addition, new citizens get a "welcome pack" that includes a "Commemorative Certificate of Citizenship". No legal value whatsoever, but it is certainly prettier than the official paper! Much more suitable for framing and hanging. In fact, I have already put mine in a nice new frame; it shall soon reside on a wall in Chiron Beta Prime, next to where
cheshcat's C.C.C. has been hanging since December.Here is another photograph, taken by
cheshcat after the ceremony had concluded, of everybody's favourite Nomad holding his pretty commemorative certificate:
(click for full-sized version)
The most common comment I have received about all this (besides "congratulations", of course!) is that I now need to acquire a proper accent. The most common question is whether I have had to give up my US citizenship -- the answer to that is "no". Both the United States and the United Kingdom permit their citizens to hold more than one nationality[*] Thus, I am now a dual citizen, or what we like to call a "half-and-half".
Besides the psychological benefit of no longer being a foreigner, there are also practical legal benefits. I have already begun to take advantage of these -- this morning, I registered to vote in the United Kingdom and requested a registration form for voting in European Union elections. When I there is a six week gap where I will not be leaving the country (November?), I will also apply for my British passport. Indeed, once I am able to vote and have my UK passport, there will be absolutely no difference between my legal status in the US and my legal status in the UK.
This is the end of a long process that stretched on for more than seven years. I've certainly come a long way from where I was in Spring 2006, just arriving in a country where I knew no one and had difficulty with even simple tasks like getting a bank account (due to no prior credit history). It's nice to reach the end of this road and finally claim to be a citizen of my adopted home!
[*] There are countries that do not, like Japan. Likewise, Germany does not permit this except under some rather unusual circumstances (e.g., a child who was a dual citizen from birth).
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Those are very nice photos of you by the way. Your hair is looking really good.
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Looking at the two pictures side-by-side, I find that I have camera envy. The picture taken by the professional photographer is clearly a lot nicer than the one that
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While the US does allow dual citizenship, the Department of State, in their FAQ on the matter, recommends against it. Not to the degree of suggesting that you now march over to the US Consulate and renounce your US citizenship, but more along the lines of suggesting that you don't do what you did today.
(The US used to require that naturalized citizens renounce their original citizenship, but a British friend of mine in college explained how that worked in practice: She took the US Citizenship oath, handed over her UK passport, which the Department of State mailed to the UK Embassy, who mailed it right back to her. The US may have required her to renounce UK citizenship, but the UK doesn't recognize that as a valid way to give up UK citizenship, so as far as the UK is concerned, she's a UK citizen, and who better to define UK citizenship than the UK? I wonder how Japan and Germany handle that situation? Situations like her case eventually lead the US to stop bothering, I believe.)
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Now I'm no expert on multiple citizenships, but it is my understanding that -- speaking generally -- most instances aren't a matter of one country acknowledging you as a dual citizen. Rather, it is a case where two (or more) countries each acknowledge you as their own citizen.
The Wikipedia page on "Multiple citizenship" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_citizenship) actually mentions the circumstance of your British college friend. Apparently, the United Kingdom only considers a renunciation of citizenship to be valid if it is performed with competent UK authorities. Thus, the oath administered as part of the US naturalization process does not affect a Brit's legal Britishness.
I believe that countries like Japan require proof of renunciation as part of the naturalization process, because they're serious about avoiding multiple citizenship situations.
In my (current) 2004 passport, paragraph 9 on page five discusses dual citizens. They don't say that you shouldn't do this... but the tone is such that tis clear they don't recommend it.
The nifty thing about my new citizenship is that it opens up all of the EU to me. If I wanted to move to Ireland or France or Germany, I wouldn't need a visa now. Assuming that the UK stays in the EU after the 2017 referendum. Which, by the way, I will get to vote in. Yay!
From:
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Yay!!!! Go you, Love! I'm so happy and excited for you *kiss.* Looking forward to celebrating with you in true British style (that's "with cream tea" for any non-Brits reading!) :-D
Also, looking good in the pictures! *mischievous smile.*
Love you lots
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
Yay!!!! Go you, Love! I'm so happy and excited for you *kiss.* Looking forward to celebrating with you in true British style (that's "with cream tea" for any non-Brits reading!) :-D
Also, looking good in the pictures! *mischievous smile.*
Love you lots
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
From:
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With the exception of the flash reflecting off of my glasses, I'm really pleased with how the pictures came out -- especially the professional one.
The physical copy (8x6) should arrive in a week or so. I've bought a custom frame that will allow us to mount
Looking forward to our cream tea date on Sunday, Beautiful! Love you!!!
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx
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Maybe the English should learn to speak like you.
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Re Music: This version I hope...
http://youtu.be/5hIE0vKQf6w
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As for the music, I was thinking of the godawful out-of-tune dirge-like version that was what we produced singing at the end of the ceremony yesterday. Brian May's version is, of course, much easier on the ear! :-D
Hmmmm... Brian May. He got his doctorate from the department where I'm currently working, at Imperial College.
Looking forward to spending some good times with you this weekend, my friend! See you tomorrow!!
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oh wow
obviously congratulations
I have a mate in California who attempting the other way round
its been taking her rather longer to achieve just a green card
congratulations again
kate
From:
Re: oh wow
Seriously, though, I'm delighted to now have the ability to move (and work) wherever I like within the EU. This will remain true unless the 2017 referendum leads Britain to pull out of the union.
Being a citizen now, I am happy to say that I will be voting against any such idiocy! *grin*
Good luck to your friend in California. Every once in a while, people have asked me how the visa and naturalisation process in the UK compares with that in the US. I've never been able to answer. I consider myself a bit of an expert in immigrating to the UK; I've never had to do the same with the US!
Hope all is well with you!
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Re: oh wow
congratulations again
kate
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Now then, how are you, my friend?? Is always good to hear from you! It's been far far too long! What are you up to? How is life treating you? Where are you living now?? I'd love to catch up at some point!
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Am hoping to get back to Chicagoland in October -- fingers crossed! T'would be lovely to see you then, hon!
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Three cheers for Nomad!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
*pops a cracker over your head and gives you the paper crown*
I will need to pick your brain about time in Japan at some point. My little Sailor Moon story has all the makings of a cool modern fantasy novel, once I get more intel.
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Re: Three cheers for Nomad!
Also, I would be delighted to have my brain picked by you about Japan. As you know, I lived there half-time for four years, from 1999 - 2003. And I currently go back about three times a year for short trips of a couple of weeks each. So I know a thing or two and would be more than happy to share.
Do you do phone chats? This weekend is already pretty booked, but we could arrange a call sometime soon. I can Skype-call US phones fairly cheaply, and I can call them from my landline for free provided the calls are under 60 minutes each.
Here, have some big hugs, just 'cuz! *hug* *hug* *HUUUUUUUUG* :-D
From:
Re: Three cheers for Nomad!
Oh. My Skype is video chat, so you could actually see me!
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Re: Three cheers for Nomad!
The rest of this week is very busy, and I will be travelling on Monday and Tuesday. How does next Thursday (the 13th) in the afternoon (your time) look? Would that work for you, hon?
I've spent more time in Tokyo than I have in Kyoto, but I've been to both and will be happy to help in any way that I can!
*hugs*
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The shirt and the tie were both gifts from
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Also, you're lookin' good in purple, there - I like what your hair is doing, and the suspenders ("braces") are a nice touch.
A tone-deaf old Brit named Eugene,
Remarked to a fellow Marine,
"I know it seems odd,
But I cannot tell 'God
Save The Weasel' from 'Pop Goes The Queen'!"
From:
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Here's another (more or less) clean one:
Concerning the bees and the flowers,
In the fields and the woods and the bowers,
You will note at a glance
That their ways of romance
Haven't any resemblance to ours.
You're welcome :-D
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Bwahahaha! Oh, that's brilliant! :D
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xxxxxx
xxxxxx
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Love you bunches *kiss*
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
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Many congrats, dear. And yes, we do hope to see you guys again someday sooner not later. Until then, we have LJ and email and many hugs in the ether. ;-)
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Also, thanks for the congratulations! It feels really good to not be a foreigner anymore! Huzzah! *big smiles*
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*runs.*
Love you lots
xxxxxx
xxxxxx
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Yay for Mips!
You usually look awesome in your photos, so it does not surprise me that these also came out well. I'm particularly pleased that the photo does not reveal how gi-normous that jacket is on you now that you've slimmed down so much!
Love you big beeeps (brit) wah!
C
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Re: Yay for Mips!
Very glad to have reached the end of this particular road with you, Sweetheart! All that's left now is mopping up the last few pieces. Need confirmation that our voter registrations went through; need to register to vote in EU elections; and need to get our passports.
On the latter, it seems that mine won't happen until November; I called the Passport Customer Service Centre this afternoon and they were pretty clear that it will take six weeks, they will will need to hold onto my existing US passport during the entire duration, and I am not permitted to leave the country whilst the application is being processed. Which means that I cannot apply until after we return from P**T***. Between Japan and Russia and maybe Sweden and Japan again and the States, there just isn't a six week period where I will be staying put until the end of October!
Oh, and we also need to get you a driving licence (which is inherently British, as compared to the US-American driver's license).
Love you MEGA-MIPS-WAH!!
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That said, I miss you folks in Chicagoland! With the house gone, it's a bit more difficult to arrange long trips back. I'm hoping to make it out for a few days in October, though. Fingers crossed!
And, of course, you and yours would always be more than welcome here, if you wanted to take a little trip across the pond. I could promise you the services of an excellent tour guide! *grin*
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Really, I know how much this means to you, and it's the best news I've gotten all year! *hugs* *dances*
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Seriously, sweetie, thanks for such a sweet comment! You had me smiling for quite some time. It really is good to finally be British, and no longer a foreigner in my own home. I've lived in Oxford for longer than anywhere else in my adult life, so it's great to be able to vote and have security and participate fully in the community.
*hugs again, then dances with you*
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Here, have a cuppa to celebrate.
Persephone