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The Global Insight

Can an American by birth have dual citizenship?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 08, 2026

Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. A U.S. citizen may naturalize in a foreign state without any risk to his or her U.S. citizenship.

Is Dual Citizenship good or bad?

Dual citizens get to double dip in certain benefits, including the ability to live and work in two countries. It provides the freedom to travel between countries more easily and may open the door to property ownership and business opportunities in both countries.

How to become a dual citizen of the US and Canada?

Here are the requirements for Canadian-American Dual Citizenship. Both the United States and Canada follow the Anglo Law system. Thus, the following are the primary ways to gain citizenship in these countries: 1) birth in the nation, 2) marriage or 3) naturalization. For normal citizenship, most people were both born and reside in the same country.

Can a US born child become a Canadian citizen?

U.S.-born children of Canadians can automatically get Canadian citizenship. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allows citizenship to be passed down to the first generation born outside of the country. At least one biological or legal parent needs to be a Canadian citizen at the time of the baby’s birth.

Can a Canadian citizen have a second citizenship in another country?

A citizen of Canada will retain Canadian citizenship upon acquiring a second citizenship in another country. In fact, Canadian citizens cannot lose their citizenship unless they voluntarily renounce it via a complicated legal procedure.

Do you have to pay taxes in Canada if you have dual citizenship?

Fortunately, the US and Canada have a tax treaty that provides relief for individuals with dual citizenship so they don’t have to pay double tax. Instead, they pay one country and receive credit in the other for taxes paid. If you are a Canadian citizen, you only have to file taxes for the period you have been actually living in Canada.