Polygamy

[QueenofdeNile]

I am a USA Citizen married to a Saudi man. He has another wife in Saudi. We were married in Egypt, which is where I reside (formerly in California). Polygamy is legal in Egypt and Saudi. We have a baby. I'd like to register him as a USA citizen and apply for his USA pssport. I must disclose my husband's other marriage on the forms. I'm afraid to because I know polygamy is illegal in the USA. I need to know if being the 2nd wife is illegal (or only his having 2 is a crime) and the likely consequences of applying for my son's passport.

 

[calalily]

Contact the US embassy about your question. It would appear since you did not marry in the US, but under Egyptian laws it is not illegal. You could research passport law online
http://travel.state.gov/travel/about/about_1247.html
To register your child as a US citizen born abroad check out this link: http://travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

 

[QueenofdeNile]

Thanks, I did speak to the USA Embassy. The rep got a very stern tone and told me I must disclose the situation on forms. She also stated that she was not able to say if this would cause any legal problem until after I submit the forms (when it's too late).

Thanks for the sites; I have been to them (and many others) searching for information. I apprecate your time

 

[calalily]

It would be illegal if your husband wanted to immigrate to the US (or get an immigration visa) or if you wanted to live in the US as polgamist. He would have to divorce his other wife before being allowed to apply. That does not apply to you as he does not want to immigrate to this country and you are not icoming back to this country to live, just declaring birth of your son abroad and requesting a passport. I guess they could revoke your citizenship but I don't know. Is there an international lawyer you could consult? Does your husband want your child declared a US citizen and what are the laws of the country you live in concerning children born to non-citizen wives of their citizens? I'll keep researching as this has piqued my interest and if I find anything I'll repost.

 

[QueenofdeNile]

Thanks for your support. To reply to your comments/questions:

1-We have no intentions of applying for a visa/citiznship for my husband.
2-I have no intentions of returning to the USA to live, but don't want to lose citizenship and do hope to visit.
3-My husband agrees USA citizenship is easiest since the baby would likely travel with me and my five older children (USA citizens from prior marriage) and all having same nationality simplifes international travel.
4-Note, my husband is Saudi and lives in Saudi Arabia; I iive in Egypt.
5-Egyptian law does not accept children born to foriegners as citizens simply by birth in Egypt.
6-We must register him as USA or Saudi citizen on the basis of parentage (or both as dual citizenship, which we may do later).

Thanks, to clarify, my concerns are with the legal consequenes, as a USA citizen, of disclosing, on federal forms, my marriage to a noncitizen-polygamist while residing in polygamist country; not with the baby's citiznship status.

 

[calalily]

I am not saying you'll lose your US citizenship but just stated as a possibility but after reading more on the laws polygamy isn't one of the reasons listed to take US citizenship away.

What I am saying is that since you are not practicing polygamy in the US and were not married in the US there is no illegality on your part, so disclosing it shouldn't be a problem. The polygamy laws all appear to be geared towards immigration only, which you are not contemplating.

 

[seniorjudge]

Why would any sane man want to have more than one wife?

 

[QueenofdeNile]

Thanks, Calalily. Your input is very helpful and reassuring!

Thanks for the chuckle, Senior Judge! Trust me, my husband would be the first tosay it's a handful!