Comments for Life in this Israeli State http://isranglo.wordpress.com gripes and guides for Anglos in Israel Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:04:47 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by Jonathan http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-433 Jonathan Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:04:47 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-433 Thanks for answering so quickly. My Dad gave me three degrees he has spanning graduations from 1964 till 1969. he also found his graduation year book from one of his universities. Also on his marriage certificate it says that he got marriade in the US in 1963. so I have 6 years of proof. Do you think that will cut it? Also he can't find his birth certificate although he has a US passport and in his marriage certificate it says that he was born in the US. Does he have to have his birth certificate per say? or are these enough. I asked about the rabbanot drill, because I heard of Israeli's who got it signed by the ministry of relegion in Jerusalem and then had the whole thing translated. good to hear that that is uneccesary. Thanks again Thanks for answering so quickly.

My Dad gave me three degrees he has spanning graduations from 1964 till 1969. he also found his graduation year book from one of his universities. Also on his marriage certificate it says that he got marriade in the US in 1963. so I have 6 years of proof. Do you think that will cut it?
Also he can’t find his birth certificate although he has a US passport and in his marriage certificate it says that he was born in the US. Does he have to have his birth certificate per say? or are these enough.

I asked about the rabbanot drill, because I heard of Israeli’s who got it signed by the ministry of relegion in Jerusalem and then had the whole thing translated. good to hear that that is uneccesary.

Thanks again

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by sister mo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-432 sister mo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:57:01 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-432 Thank you so much for your reply. It was definitely enlightening and explains the way to go... Shabat Shalom again :-) ps: i have entered another post, the same, as I thought that this one was not accepted. please delete it if you haven't already... Thank you so much for your reply. It was definitely enlightening and explains the way to go…

Shabat Shalom again :-)

ps: i have entered another post, the same, as I thought that this one was not accepted. please delete it if you haven’t already…

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by Yaniv Kaplan http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-431 Yaniv Kaplan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:56:12 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-431 Hi, My father was not born in the US, he was naturalized. Won't my father's passport do the trick to prove he is a US citizen??? Isn't that what that means? Thanks, Yaniv Hi,

My father was not born in the US, he was naturalized. Won’t my father’s passport do the trick to prove he is a US citizen??? Isn’t that what that means?

Thanks,

Yaniv

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-430 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:20:30 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-430 Kell I'm afraid it's that last bit which is the killer. the N600k as far as I know only applies to minors (up to age 18). Were you 15 years younger you'd be almost a shoo-in for citizenship alas I'm afraid you waited too long. On the up side should you decide to apply though regular channels the fact that you had this option may improve your argument for immigration over people without this background, especially if you have a relative taht will sponsor you. Kell
I’m afraid it’s that last bit which is the killer. the N600k as far as I know only applies to minors (up to age 18). Were you 15 years younger you’d be almost a shoo-in for citizenship alas I’m afraid you waited too long. On the up side should you decide to apply though regular channels the fact that you had this option may improve your argument for immigration over people without this background, especially if you have a relative taht will sponsor you.

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-429 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:16:21 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-429 Jonathan Glad to help. :-) 1) the answer alas is no. The 2 degrees would have been good until a couple of years ago and worked for my first 3 kids. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago (maybe less) a new law came into effect whereby you could no longer just hand over a BA degree (4 years in the states) and have it count for 4 years. Pity as it was very convenient. if you want to have a degree considered for more than one year you have to provide official transcripts from the institution of study for all the years you want counted. The degree alone will only count for 1 year without the transcripts. 2) the Rabbanut translate it? Lord help us all? With all the Shas and Aguda appointees there you'd be hard pressed to get a translation unless it was into yiddish maybe :-). Anyone is allowed to translate your documents (though it's best to steer away from self-translation or having a relative of the same name do it) as long as they attach to it a written statement wherein they affirm their knowledge of both languages and their competence to translate from one to the other and sign their names and put their details there in case any contact is needed (noone's EVER contacted my translator but one does it for form's sake). Jonathan
Glad to help. :-)
1) the answer alas is no. The 2 degrees would have been good until a couple of years ago and worked for my first 3 kids. Unfortunately, a couple of years ago (maybe less) a new law came into effect whereby you could no longer just hand over a BA degree (4 years in the states) and have it count for 4 years. Pity as it was very convenient.
if you want to have a degree considered for more than one year you have to provide official transcripts from the institution of study for all the years you want counted. The degree alone will only count for 1 year without the transcripts.

2) the Rabbanut translate it? Lord help us all? With all the Shas and Aguda appointees there you’d be hard pressed to get a translation unless it was into yiddish maybe :-) . Anyone is allowed to translate your documents (though it’s best to steer away from self-translation or having a relative of the same name do it) as long as they attach to it a written statement wherein they affirm their knowledge of both languages and their competence to translate from one to the other and sign their names and put their details there in case any contact is needed (noone’s EVER contacted my translator but one does it for form’s sake).

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-428 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:02:42 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-428 sister Mo wow that's a complex one - you may need a lawyer this time but let me at least tackle what I can (besides the shabbat shalom which since it's thursday now I can still answer likewise :-) ). so first of all about the green card I'm not so sure the physical card is what matters as that can probably be accessed through government files. The question really is whether he broke the terms of the green card which requires, to my understanding, a minimal presence in the US for a certain succesive period of time. Any kids born in Israel before the relocation to the US would likely not be eligible via the N600k as the parent was certainly not a citizen at the time of their birth but they may be able to claim citizenship automatically should their father (if he becomes a US citizen while they're still minors) choose to "immigrate" with them to the US (though he may of course choose to cancel the "move" once they're given the citizenship). In any event until the son has citizenship the N600k shouldn't work for them - sorry, but the citizenship chain is necessary. sister Mo
wow that’s a complex one – you may need a lawyer this time but let me at least tackle what I can (besides the shabbat shalom which since it’s thursday now I can still answer likewise :-) ).
so first of all about the green card I’m not so sure the physical card is what matters as that can probably be accessed through government files. The question really is whether he broke the terms of the green card which requires, to my understanding, a minimal presence in the US for a certain succesive period of time. Any kids born in Israel before the relocation to the US would likely not be eligible via the N600k as the parent was certainly not a citizen at the time of their birth but they may be able to claim citizenship automatically should their father (if he becomes a US citizen while they’re still minors) choose to “immigrate” with them to the US (though he may of course choose to cancel the “move” once they’re given the citizenship).
In any event until the son has citizenship the N600k shouldn’t work for them – sorry, but the citizenship chain is necessary.

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-427 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:51:17 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-427 Tranquility I'm flattered to hear that lawyers are referring people to me as a source considering I have no academic standing in the area - but of course go through a process enough times and you learn things academics don't teach you :-). I wish I could be of more help but I'm afriad you're right. The N600K is for minors wishing to apply via a grandparent. Once you hit 18 this isn't the right form. I've been trying for a long time to answer your question for a cousin of mine who's in the same position and have met with a solid "can't be done through grandparent transference" in every direction. However if your grandparent lives in the USA you may be able to apply through the regular immigration system with him as your sponsor. The fact that you could have done it pre-adulthood would probably strengthen your claim at least to a green card over other weaker cases. If you somehow find a way to get transference through a grandparent even once adult be sure to write and let me know as the question is often asked here. Tranquility
I’m flattered to hear that lawyers are referring people to me as a source considering I have no academic standing in the area – but of course go through a process enough times and you learn things academics don’t teach you :-) .
I wish I could be of more help but I’m afriad you’re right. The N600K is for minors wishing to apply via a grandparent. Once you hit 18 this isn’t the right form. I’ve been trying for a long time to answer your question for a cousin of mine who’s in the same position and have met with a solid “can’t be done through grandparent transference” in every direction. However if your grandparent lives in the USA you may be able to apply through the regular immigration system with him as your sponsor. The fact that you could have done it pre-adulthood would probably strengthen your claim at least to a green card over other weaker cases. If you somehow find a way to get transference through a grandparent even once adult be sure to write and let me know as the question is often asked here.

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-426 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:38:33 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-426 Moira your story underlines an interesting problem with the whole process which is that there's a lot that NOONE can tell you about what will/won't be acceptable. There's a lot of gray area where officials can decide to accept or not accept the proofs you give. For example I asked about their requirement to prove that the child is in your custody. For a divorced couple that's no problem: there are papers attesting to it. But to a married person go prove that your kid's in your custody! It's so self evident you'd think you wouldn't need to but when I asked them about it they just said "well you'll have to bring whatever you can think of to prove it." Therefore it's possible that your argument will work and a case officer could certainly legally let it through as far as I understand...but only if they want to. It's in their hands and so you'll just have to trust to getting a sensible case officer if you can't find more solid evidence. As for changing the date I never had any trouble with that in the offices I went to (Philadelphia and Portland) but I've been told that in other places there are problems though I can't recall specifically which offices gave no option to change. and yes at any event if you can help it avoid the large field ofices. Moira
your story underlines an interesting problem with the whole process which is that there’s a lot that NOONE can tell you about what will/won’t be acceptable. There’s a lot of gray area where officials can decide to accept or not accept the proofs you give. For example I asked about their requirement to prove that the child is in your custody. For a divorced couple that’s no problem: there are papers attesting to it. But to a married person go prove that your kid’s in your custody! It’s so self evident you’d think you wouldn’t need to but when I asked them about it they just said “well you’ll have to bring whatever you can think of to prove it.” Therefore it’s possible that your argument will work and a case officer could certainly legally let it through as far as I understand…but only if they want to. It’s in their hands and so you’ll just have to trust to getting a sensible case officer if you can’t find more solid evidence.
As for changing the date I never had any trouble with that in the offices I went to (Philadelphia and Portland) but I’ve been told that in other places there are problems though I can’t recall specifically which offices gave no option to change.
and yes at any event if you can help it avoid the large field ofices.

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-425 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:24:10 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-425 Yaniv The N600k is dependent on the citizen grandparent's having fulfilled all the requirements that would be requested of a parent were the parent able to pass on the citizenship personally. therefore as part of your parent's documentation you have to show their right to US citizenship based on the claim you're making that they have such citizenship. In otherwords either a US birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization. If your parent is US born you'll have trouble proving they're naturalized since they weren't :-). If they were naturalized and you have their certificate of naturalization you might still need a birth certificate but it will likely be less important. But just proving they lived in the US doesn't necessarily prove they're a US citizenship. They could have snuck over the border from mexico as so many do...:-). And yes I've always had the officers ask about where my dad was born in both offices I went to for the interview. So to the more important question which is, what do you do if you're missing yours? Well these things are usually kept on record somewhere. Possibly city hall of the town where he was born or perhaps some other recors office. I don't know where he's from but I'm guessing if you got online and typed the state name (or city name if it's a large city) and keywords like "birth certificate" you could find out where to obtain a copy of said certificate. Yaniv
The N600k is dependent on the citizen grandparent’s having fulfilled all the requirements that would be requested of a parent were the parent able to pass on the citizenship personally. therefore as part of your parent’s documentation you have to show their right to US citizenship based on the claim you’re making that they have such citizenship. In otherwords either a US birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization. If your parent is US born you’ll have trouble proving they’re naturalized since they weren’t :-) . If they were naturalized and you have their certificate of naturalization you might still need a birth certificate but it will likely be less important. But just proving they lived in the US doesn’t necessarily prove they’re a US citizenship. They could have snuck over the border from mexico as so many do…:-). And yes I’ve always had the officers ask about where my dad was born in both offices I went to for the interview.

So to the more important question which is, what do you do if you’re missing yours? Well these things are usually kept on record somewhere. Possibly city hall of the town where he was born or perhaps some other recors office. I don’t know where he’s from but I’m guessing if you got online and typed the state name (or city name if it’s a large city) and keywords like “birth certificate” you could find out where to obtain a copy of said certificate.

]]> Comment on US Citizenship through a grandparent – a guide from the initiated by isranglo http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-424 isranglo Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:46:08 +0000 http://isranglo.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/us-citizenship-through-a-grandparent-a-guide-from-the-initiated/#comment-424 ok first let me apologize for taking so long with both answering questions and with posting my report about my most recent trip to get citizenship for a child in Oregon. Between getting back from the trip, the schoolyear starting, the Jewish holidays and recently computer issues I just haven't gotten a chance so now I'm going to try and catch up on some past stuff. I'll start with your questions... ok first let me apologize for taking so long with both answering questions and with posting my report about my most recent trip to get citizenship for a child in Oregon. Between getting back from the trip, the schoolyear starting, the Jewish holidays and recently computer issues I just haven’t gotten a chance so now I’m going to try and catch up on some past stuff. I’ll start with your questions…

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