A baby with my girlfriend

[Samamri]

I'm a Canadian and married in canada , I've a baby with my girlfriend abroad , does my child become a Canadian citizen automatically ? And does this issue ( having baby with other woman ) would be considered as illegal ?
What's your advice and what can I do to get him a citizenship ?

Thanks for advice .

 

[sthaeem]

I suggest call CIC and find out. It would be good if you post here what is their answer.

 

[Swede]

I'm a Canadian and married in canada , I've a baby with my girlfriend abroad , does my child become a Canadian citizen automatically ? And does this issue ( having baby with other woman ) would be considered as illegal ?
What's your advice and what can I do to get him a citizenship ?

Thanks for advice .

Are you a citizen by birth, descent or naturalization? If you're a born or naturalized Canadian your child is Canadian as well, if you have your citizenship by descent it gets trickier. Having a child out of wedlock is not illegal in Canada, but I cannot speak for the country he was born in.

 

[Samamri]

Thanks for all, and special thanks to Swede, Yes I'm a Canadian by naturalization , but I'm just concerning about one point . That's I'm married in canada. , and if I applied a citizenship for my child I don't know whether CIC would inform my wife there about this issue or not. ? I don't want to have trouble there .

 

[Swede]

Thanks for all, and special thanks to Swede, Yes I'm a Canadian by naturalization , but I'm just concerning about one point . That's I'm married in canada. , and if I applied a citizenship for my child I don't know whether CIC would inform my wife there about this issue or not. ? I don't want to have trouble there .

I don't know if CIC slip something to your wife or not, for all I know they might call your home and your wife might pick up. Best assume that she will know...

 

[Samamri]

Thanks swede , is it necessary to apply a citizenship for him now ,he is 5 years age , or I can do it later? Do they require a certain age , please advice .
Many thanks

 

[YorkFactory]

Thanks swede , is it necessary to apply a citizenship for him now ,he is 5 years age , or I can do it later? Do they require a certain age , please advice .
Many thanks

I don't think there's a limit. I have a friend who applied for Canadian citizenship based on her father having been born in Canada, even though she was an adult and he was no longer living when she applied.

 

[eileenf]

Thanks for all, and special thanks to Swede, Yes I'm a Canadian by naturalization , but I'm just concerning about one point . That's I'm married in canada. , and if I applied a citizenship for my child I don't know whether CIC would inform my wife there about this issue or not. ? I don't want to have trouble there.

Your child is likely a citizen, assuming that you were a citizen at the time of his birth. You can use this tool to get a better sense: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/citizenship/rules/tool_04.asp

Also, the CIC is not going to go out of its way to inform your wife, but they're not going to hide it either. It's not their job or their interest either way. I would personally encourage you very strongly to inform your wife. It will never get easier to tell her. It will only get harder and more complicated the longer the secrets and lies persist and the more interaction and efforts you (rightly) have with your child.

 

[Samamri]

Thank you , I appreciate so much . Wish you all a nice day or night wherever you are .

 

[Msafiri]

I'm a Canadian and married in canada , I've a baby with my girlfriend abroad , does my child become a Canadian citizen automatically ? And does this issue ( having baby with other woman ) would be considered as illegal ?
What's your advice and what can I do to get him a citizenship ?

Thanks for advice .

As has been advised there are 2 issues here:

1. The legal position

(i) As a naturalized Canadian you can transmit citizenship to your children born outside Canada in the first generation. You will have to fill out the forms in respect of the child. These forms do ask about your marital status - they appear to presume the mother to be your spouse and vice versa so you may feel free to disregard them with an N/A or be honest and deal with any issues that arise. CIC will not involve your wife in this...they don't go around policing your relationships and privacy rules mean they can't disclose info say to a spouse if they are not directly linked to the application say as a sponsor or dependent.

(ii) Depending on the country of birth and the veracity of documentation produced (in some countries you can purchase birth certificates for a pittance) CIC may require DNA testing. The proof of citizenship application can be processed inland i.e. inland delivery to CIC (slower) or outland via the Canadian visa post in the country of the child's birth (faster)

(iii) It would be useful to consider the immigration rules in the child's country of birth and the implications of any actions you take to document his/her Canadian citizenship. Ditto for the mother.

2. The moral position

This is something personal to you and depends how you intend to deal with the situation in regards to your marriage and the future in particular the level of involvement in the child's upbringing. Without wanting to judge or getting into your business its useful to consider the emotional as well as financial challenges that you will need to deal with. It may be worthwhile seeking wise counsel from someone trustworthy or even independent to you.

 

[Samamri]

Msafiri. , thank you very much. Your advice and information is very useful , I appreciate that , you mentioned that I've to fill up the forms ,these forms do ask my martial status (( - they appear to presume the mother to be your spouse and vice versa so you may feel free to disregard them with an N/A or be honest and deal with any issues that arise.))
Do you mean issues regarding my wife or you mean with CIC ?
What if I disregard it with an N/A Does that mean that I'm giving a false statement ?
Your advice is highly appreciated.

 

[chakrab]

do realize if you apply to sponsor the kid for citizenship under your parentage, you may have to mention him as a dependent later on any official documentation. may be tough to hide that from your current family at that time.

 

[txboyscout]

If you are a naturlized citizen than your child qualifies for citizenship (as long as you were a citizen when then were born). Your child will be classified as your dependent until the reach the age of majority (usually 18) which means that you will have to declare them as your dependent on any forms that ask you to.... Obviously this significantly increases the chances of your wife finding out

 

[Samamri]

Thank you guys for advice , I've check the application form for citizenship to fill it up But there's a question about ((married in what country. And date of marriage )) what should i fill up ? My child's mother is my girlfriend . We are not married , if I leave it N/A it may be returned ,,, please advise me if you know what's the proper answer .

Thanks guys

 

[chakrab]

Thank you guys for advice , I've check the application form for citizenship to fill it up But there's a question about ((married in what country. And date of marriage )) what should i fill up ? My child's mother is my girlfriend . We are not married , if I leave it N/A it may be returned ,,, please advise me if you know what's the proper answer .

Thanks guys

is your name written on the birth certificate of the child in that country? if not, you may have to get a DNA test or get the birth certificate altered? what is the birth country of the kid?