When am I considered to be a dual citizen of the US and Canada?

[plaidcat]

Hi there,

I was born in Canada to an American mother and a Canadian father. After I was born my mother applied and I received my American Citizen Born Abroad certificate as well as a Social Security Number.

Now, I've never had a US passport but for the first time in my life I will be applying for it (because I have an American boyfriend) I have a flight on October 17th 2012 and my appointment for my first passport is October 3rd 2012. While I would like to receive my US passport before I leave I doubt I will receive it in time.

Anywho, I was doing some extra checking on the US consulate site for Toronto and I saw this in their frequently asked Questions list:

I am a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen and I don't have time to get a U.S. passport. May I enter the U.S. with my travel document showing my Canadian (or other) citizenship?

No, U.S. law requires U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. documented as U.S. citizens. Improperly documented U.S. citizens may be barred or delayed considerably at a port of entry.

Now, I've been flying back and forth for as long as I can remember. Just this year I've been on four trips in various cities in the states and have never been asked for an American passport. Is this because it says I was born in Canada on my passport? Or is this because I am not technically dual yet, because I've received (as you can imagine) so many different answers.

When I emailed the consulate to figure out my actual path to applying for a US passport the answer I received based on the info I provided (see above) was:

It appears you already have been documented as a US citizen with the issuance of the Consular Report of Birth Abroad you have in your possession, that already makes you a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States.

We advise you to apply for a US passport using your consular report of birth abroad as proof of U.S. Citizenship

If this is the case, however I've never been asked or questioned. Now that I have this passport appointment before my trip am I shaking up the system? Can I be denied if I don't receive it in time and attempt to cross with my Canadian passport? Am I over reacting?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Peaches14]

This is a question that nobody here will possibly be able to answer and it sounds like one of those questions nobody really has the answer for. You will get your answers October 3 and I think you have plenty of time between the 3rd and 17th. If you have to change your passport particulars then you will be advised of this and need to let somebody know that you are travelling on October 17. I don't think that this is a major problem unless you are a criminal and I doubt that. Just make sure you inform everybody that needs to be informed and follow the direction that they give you.

 

[Leon]

You are already a dual citizen, according to what you say: "After I was born my mother applied and I received my American Citizen Born Abroad certificate as well as a Social Security Number." so you have been breaking this rule of travelling on a US passport all along without the immigration officers ever finding out. Now that you have applied for it, will the immigration officers see it and know about it and give you trouble? Could be. I have no idea.