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alevendis
May 19, 2009, 05:22 PM
Hello.
Im a Greek with Greek Citizenship, over 18 y.o.
My mother was born in Washington D.C. got her American Citizenship
And after many years coming to greece she also got her Greek Citizenship.
Her parents (my grandpas) have both their American Citizenship(and greek).
My grandfather has passed away.
Here in Greece the army is obligatory, but I haven't served it yet cause I'm
Currently studying in a university.
My questions are:
-Am I eligible to get my American Citizenship?

-How is it to have dual Citizenship, obligations, whatever?

-Is army in USA obligatory, will I have issues?

-How do I get my Citizenship? Just contacting with the American Embassy here in
Greece filling up the forms and going through some knowledge test?

-Do I have to immediately travel to USA, or do I have to go to USA in order
To take my american citizenship. And if that, how long do I have to stay?
Can I come back to Greece and return to USA when I want.

-And at last should I finish first with my army obligations? (dont mind so much getting an answer here)

I need some guidance, cause I don't like to look like a fool, going to the embassy
And asking all of these questions.
More than that, if I do have to travel, I have to postpone the idea
And organise it.
Tnx in advance!

DCcityboy
May 19, 2009, 05:41 PM
Don't worry about how you look at the US embassy or AMCON, not a simple process.

If your mother is a USC, she can petition for your permanent residence first as an FB-1 (unmarried son of USC) or FB-3 if you are married. She needs to file the I-130 relative petition and then you wait until the priority date is current, check the DOS visa bulletin. There is a several year backlog.

After you get US permanent residence and you have been an LPR for 5 years with 30 of 60 months physical presence in US, you can then file for citizenship.

No mandatory military service, but you do need to check to see if you must register for Selective Service (draft).

alevendis
May 19, 2009, 06:31 PM
Great tnx for the help!



no mandatory military service, but you do need to check to see if you must register for Selective Service (draft).
This is what I am afraid of. I checked it and it says tha all men 18-25 (even a day before 26th birthday) have to register. And I'm 22,5.
Even non-citizens and dual-nationals not living in us.



wait until the priority date is current, check the DOS visa bulletin
So how long aprox. Until priority date and then, again, do I immediately
Have to go to us?

acrules3
May 20, 2009, 07:57 PM
It sounds like you are already a US Citizen as of your birth, assuming your mother lived in the United States for at least 5 years, 2 of which were after the age of 14.

The relevant law that grants you US Citizenship is

INA: ACT 301 - NATIONALS AND CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES AT BIRTH
Sec. 301. [8 U.S.C. 1401]
g) a person born outside the geographical limits of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents one of whom is an alien, and the other a citizen of the United States who, prior to the birth of such person, was physically present in the United States or its outlying possessions for a period or periods totaling not less than five years, at least two of which were after attaining the age of fourteen years

Sou proteinw na pas sthn Presveia me th mhtera sou, h opoia tha prepei kapws na mporesei kapws na apodeiksei oti zouse stis Hnwmenes Politeies gia to diasthma pou provlepei o Amerikanikos nomos. Exe mazi sou epishs ta ekshs stoixeia: a) Lhksiarxikh praksh gennhshs epikyrwmenh me apostille [Epishmeiwsh ths Symvashs ths Xaghs - apo th Nomarxia], b) Lhksiarxikh praksh gamou twn gonewn sou, epishs epikyrwmenh me Apostille, c) to Amerikaniko diavathrio ths mhteras sou.

Mh fovasai gia to Selective Service ths Amerikhs, einai apla grafeiokratiko thema.

H periptwsh sou einai aploustath - h presveia tha se voithisei.

Good luck!

alevendis
Jun 8, 2009, 03:35 PM
I talked with my aunt and I found out that I'm eligible for my citizenship
Due to a special law that says if your grandfather/mother is an american citizen
U can apply for your citizenship and I will only have to go a trip to US to take the oath
And no need to stay there for 30 months, or so..
My mother didn't stay after the age of 14 in the states, so I can't apply through her.
Tnx arcules3 for your help, but I have to tell you, that I am still afraid about the
Selective service. Would it be wiser to apply after 26th?

alevendis
Jun 8, 2009, 04:04 PM
I also found this... ???????????? ???????? - ??????? 17??????! :: OMHROI.gr :: «? ?????? ???????, ?? ??????? ??? ? ???????» (http://www.omhroi.gr/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2112&mode=nested&order=0&thold=1)

acrules3
Jun 8, 2009, 07:27 PM
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news: I am afraid your aunt is giving you a bit of misinformation. Although she is correct that the law exists re: the "grandparent exception" [Section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Technical Correction Act of 1994], this law requires that you take the oath of citizenship in the United States BEFORE your 18th birthday.

You mention, in the original message, that you are over 18 years old. As a result, you are ineligible to use this law to acquire US citizenship.

Kalou kakou, phgaine kai sthn Amerikanikh Presveia na tous rwthseis an yparxei kapoios allos nomos pou na sou prosdidei then Amerikanikh Yphkoothta... Kalh epityxia.