My mother was born in Kalamata, Greece and immigrated to the US in 1940 or 1941. She is deceased and now my son wants to obtain dual citizenship and needs a copy of his grandmothers birth certificate.

How do I obtain a copy of her birth certificate or some other paperwork to assist my son?

tickle

Grandparents dont count for citizenship issues to countries. The mother or the father has to have been born in the country of choice for citizenship. But as for obtaining your mother's birth certificate, I guess you would have to contact the city hall in the place of origin and see if they have it on record.

lawanwadee

Grand parents don't count...

In case your mother had dual citizenship but if she failed to report birth overseas to the nearest embassy when you were born, and now you are now over 18 years old, you are not eligible.... not to mention about your son.

If she reported your birth to the embassy and you have official Greek birth certificate, but since you've never lived there, so citizenship is ended... cannot pass to your son.

acrules3

To lawanwadee: your advice regarding Greek citizenship is not correct. People born to a Greek mother DO have the possibility to obtain Greek citizenship no matter whether the mother is deceased, etc.

To kcipete: per article 14 of law 3284/2004, "Τέκνο που γεννήθηκε πριν από την 8.5.1984 από μητέρα Ελληνίδα κατά το χρόνο του τοκετού ή της τέλεσης του γάμου από τον οποίο γεννήθηκε το τέκνο, γίνεται Έλληνας, αν δηλώσει τη σχετική βούληση του στον Γενικό Γραμματέα της Περιφέρειας ή στην Ελληνική Προξενική Αρχή του τόπου της κατοικίας του ή της διαμονής του. " Simply translated, any child that was born before 8 May 1984 to a mother who was Greek at either the time of the child's birth or at the time of the marriage out of which the child was born becomes Greek if he/she declares his/her request to the General Secretary of the Prefecture or the Greek Consular Service of the place of his abode or residence.

The fact that your mother is deceased may make the fact finding a bit more difficult, but probably not impossible. You need to find your mother's inscription in the municipal offices in Kalamata. Once you receive that, you will also need to find her marriage certificate. If she was married in a civil ceremony, then you are actually a Greek citizen by birth - while if she was married in a religious ceremony, then you will likely have to declare your wish to become a Greek citizen. The process will likely take a few years, and your local Greek Consulate can help you. Note that your current age has NOTHING to do with whether you are a Greek citizen or whether you can declare your wish to become Greek: the fact that your mother was Greek at the time of her marriage or your birth is the critical legal fact that would confer you citizenship.

Now, re: your son - he could fall under a number of categories depending on how your own Greek citizenship is conferred. A) If you are a Greek citizen by birth, then your son will also be Greek as of his birth [note that there may be a twist if he was born before 1982 and if you were married in a civil ceremony]. B) If you become Greek by declaration, then your son becomes Greek at the same time if he is a minor and is unmarried; if he is over the age of 18, then he can become Greek under article 10 of the same law, but that will be a little more tricky.

Your local Greek consulate can help you out with more specifics.

Hope this helps.