More details to this question:
I'm an Irish citizen living in Ireland, with one American parent (the following, taken from citizenship website, applies to my situation 'Birth Abroad to One Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock') As I understand it, I already have automatic US citizenship by acquisition. However I have not yet gone to the American Embassy in Ireland to have this recognised. I'm now thinking of applying for my US passport at the Embassy, but I have been convicted of a minor criminal offence(a summary hearing & small fine imposed),but the particular crime does fall under the heading of `moral turpitude', something which I have heard causes issues for non-US citizens who want to travel to the US for holidays. So what I'm now wondering is, will this criminal record affect my ability to obtain my US passport,despite the fact that I am technically already a US citizen? Do they have the right to refuse me a passport?
1 ANSWER
If you in fact qualify for automatic citizenship, you do not need to worry about any convictions. However, before, you need to make sure you qualify as different regulations were applicable during different years.
Answered on Apr 07th, 2013 at 1:00 PM