Wouldn’t it be nice to land in a new country, skip past the long lines, and breeze through customs with not one, but two passports in hand?

Dual citizenship isn’t just for the likes of James Bond or the ultra-wealthy — if you are eligible for it, it could be yours too!

Over the past few years, interest in dual citizenship has soared. For some, it’s about seeking a closer connection to their ancestors’ culture, while others are drawn to travel perks like visa-free access to exotic countries.

And then there are others who see it as a practical backup plan, offering the option to move to a second country at a moment’s notice.

If you’ve decided to pursue dual citizenship, you’ll need to start by gathering the required documents — and the most critical is your birth certificate.

Whether you’re just curious or already planning your application, this article will talk about the basics of dual citizenship, the importance of birth certificates, and how to obtain yours with resources like USBirth Certificates.

What is Dual Citizenship and How to Get It

In simple terms, dual citizenship is when a person holds legal citizenship in two countries simultaneously. ​​While there’s no official limit to how many citizenships a person can have (one American businessman famously holds eight!), acquiring a second citizenship depends entirely on the laws of the country you’re applying to.

One of the most popular ways is by jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), which is when a person obtains citizenship of their parents or ancestors. Countries that offer citizenship by descent include Italy, Hungary, Romania, Japan, and Ireland, among others.

Another common way to get dual citizenship is jus soli (“right of land”), wherea child automatically gets citizenship if they’re born within the borders of that country, regardless of their parents’ nationality. Some countries that practice this are the United States, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada.

If a person doesn’t fall into either category, there are still other options for obtaining a second citizenship.

One way is citizenship by investment (CBI), where individuals can invest in a country — through real estate, donations, or government bonds — and gain citizenship after meeting specific requirements. Some of the most popular CBI countries are Türkiye, Malta, and Grenada.

Finally, citizenship through naturalization is available for those who live or work in a country long enough to meet eligibility requirements. For example, Poland grants citizenship to those who have either lived in the country for a minimum amount of time or have been married to a Polish citizen.

Why Is a Birth Certificate Required For Citizenship?

In order to obtain another citizenship, a birth certificate is required for two reasons.

It first verifies that you are you by serving as identification and nationality documentation. This enables the other nation to perform required background investigations, including confirming that you have no criminal history, which is a standard prerequisite for citizenship applications.

Second, a birth certificate is essential for establishing lineage, particularly for countries that grant citizenship through descent (jus sanguinis).

If you’re applying for dual citizenship based on your ancestry, your birth certificate can link you to a parent or grandparent who was born in the country where you’re seeking citizenship. For example, an Italian birth certificate for a grandparent combined with your U.S. birth certificate helps establish that important familial connection required for Italian citizenship.

However, it’s worth noting that a birth certificate is rarely sufficient on its own. Dual citizenship applications typically require additional paperwork, such as photocopies of your passport, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and other supporting documents to meet the country’s specific requirements.

How to Get A U.S. Birth Certificate for Dual Citizenship Applications

If you have your original birth certificate, you’re in luck — this step is already taken care of! You can skip to the apostille part.

If you don’t have your birth certificate, you’ll need to obtain a certified copy before moving forward with your citizenship application.

The process is relatively straightforward, especially since there are websites (like USBirth Certificates) that take care of the task for you. All you need to do is fill in your information (i.e. full name, date of birth, place of birth, etc), pay the fee, and submit your application.

Once you have your birth certificate in hand, there’s an important next step — getting it apostilled for international use.

An apostille is a form of authentication required for documents being used in one of the 125+ countries that are part of the Hague Convention. This verifies that your U.S. birth certificate is valid and recognized by foreign governments, ensuring it will be accepted during the dual citizenship application process.

Practically every country accepts U.S. birth certificates for dual citizenship applications, provided they are properly authenticated.

Dual citizenship offers a world of opportunities and, by starting the process with your birth certificate, you’ll be well on your way to a global lifestyle.