Dual-national child

A child born in the United States who has a Turkish mother or father is generally a citizen of both the United States and Türkiye. On this page, you will find which passport to use when entering and leaving the two countries, preparations before travel, traveling with one parent, and official measures against child abduction. For issues concerning military service for boys, see 8.5 Boys.

• A child born in the United States is a U.S. citizen. Because the child is born to a Turkish parent, the child also acquires Turkish citizenship by descent.
• Under Turkish law, automatically acquiring a foreign citizenship does not affect Turkish citizenship. Automatically acquiring Turkish citizenship does not affect U.S. citizenship either.
• Using two passports does not jeopardize either citizenship.
• Dual citizens are subject to the laws of each country while in that country. While in Türkiye, the child is subject to Turkish laws as a Turkish citizen.
• For adult dual citizenship, see 4.5 Dual citizenship: steps to take on the Türkiye side.

• Under U.S. law, U.S. citizens enter the United States with a U.S. passport and leave the United States with a U.S. passport.
• This rule also applies to U.S. citizens who have another citizenship and to children as well.
• A U.S. visa is not issued to a U.S. citizen. Even if you have not yet documented your child’s citizenship, the child cannot obtain a visa. You must obtain a U.S. passport.
• Dual U.S. citizens cannot apply for ESTA with their foreign passports. The Department of Homeland Security regularly rejects or cancels these applications. ESTA is already unavailable to Turkish citizens; see 1.9 Entering the United States.
• If you live abroad, make sure your child has a valid U.S. passport before returning to the United States. If necessary, make a passport appointment with a U.S. mission.
• For a child’s first U.S. passport, see 8.1 Birth in the United States.

• According to the U.S. Embassy’s statement, Turkish authorities expect Turkish-American dual citizens to enter and leave Türkiye with a Turkish passport.
• Therefore, keep both passports ready for your child: the U.S. passport when leaving the United States and entering the United States, and the Turkish passport when entering and leaving Türkiye.
• For a Turkish passport, birth registration and an identity card are required first. Start the process early because the passport is printed in Türkiye and sent to the consulate. See 8.3.
• Those under 18 can obtain a Turkish passport valid for a maximum of five years. Keep track of the expiration dates together.

1. Check the validity dates of both passports. A U.S. passport is valid for five years for those under 16. A child’s passport cannot be renewed by mail.
2. Compare the names on the passports. In the Turkish records, the name is written using Turkish letters. Be aware of differences from the spelling in U.S. documents and carry a copy of the birth certificate with you.
3. If you are traveling with one parent, prepare a consent letter (below).
4. If there is a custody order, bring a certified copy with you.
5. If a boy is approaching age 20, find out his military-service status from the consulate before traveling. See 8.5.
6. Save consular information. Save the emergency numbers of U.S. missions in Türkiye and Turkish missions in the United States in your phone.

• Consent letter: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends carrying a notarized letter of permission from the other parent if a child is traveling with only one parent. If the child is traveling with a relative or friend, both parents sign the letter.
  • Sample wording: "I am aware that my spouse is traveling abroad with my son/daughter. I give permission for this trip."
• Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP): It is free. If you enroll, the Department of State will alert you when someone applies for a U.S. passport for your child. The alert remains in effect until the child turns 18.
  • A separate Form DS-3077 is completed for each child. The form is sent most quickly by email.
  • The program does not prevent the child from obtaining or using a foreign passport, such as a Turkish passport. You must contact the relevant country’s mission about this.
• For a Turkish passport application, both parents must be present, or the absent parent’s consent document is required.
• Court order: State courts may order a parent to surrender the child’s passport to prevent abduction. If you have a valid court order, CBP, together with the Department of State, operates a program seeking to prevent the child from leaving the United States.
• Federal law prohibits taking a child outside the United States or keeping the child abroad in order to interfere with the other parent’s custodial rights.
• For divorce and custody, see 7.5 Divorce.

• Limited consular assistance: A country may not recognize a person’s U.S. citizenship if that person is also its citizen. This is particularly true if the person did not enter that country using a U.S. passport. The U.S. mission may be unable to reach such individuals.
• Exit bans: Some countries may impose exit bans on people, including dual citizens, in criminal or family disputes.
• Military service: Dual citizens may face military-service obligations in the country of their other citizenship. This obligation may arise upon entry to or exit from the country. See 8.5.
• Taxes: U.S. citizens must comply with U.S. tax laws regardless of where they live. This obligation continues even if your child grows up and lives in Türkiye. See 15.3 Tax return.
• The U.S. Embassy recommends that Turkish-American dual citizens ask a Turkish mission about any special laws that may apply to them before traveling to Türkiye.

• U.S. Department of State Office of Children’s Issues — child-abduction prevention, CPIAP
  • Phone: +1 888 407 4747 (United States and Canada), +1 202 501 4444 (outside the United States)
  • Email: PreventAbduction1@state.gov
  • Address: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Children's Issues, SA-17 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20522-1709
• 24/7 assistance for U.S. citizens in Türkiye: +1 202 501 4444 from abroad, +1 888 407 4747 from the United States and Canada
• Republic of Türkiye Consular Call Center (24/7): +1 888 566 7656 (United States and Canada), +90 312 292 29 29
• Addresses and telephone numbers of Turkish missions in the United States: see 8.3.

• Obtaining only a Turkish passport for the child and trying to enter the United States with it.
• Trying to obtain a U.S. visa or ESTA for a child who is a U.S. citizen.
• Traveling to Türkiye without a Turkish passport and failing to allow for the time needed to prepare the Turkish passport.
• Not carrying the other parent’s notarized permission when traveling with one parent.
• Assuming that CPIAP also prevents the issuance of a Turkish passport.
• Failing to find out the military-service status of a boy approaching age 18 before traveling.

• Can my child enter Türkiye with a U.S. passport? The U.S. Embassy states that Turkish authorities expect dual citizens to enter and leave with a Turkish passport. Consult the consulate before traveling.
• Will using two passports cause us to lose one of the citizenships? No. According to the U.S. Embassy, using two passports does not jeopardize either citizenship.
• My spouse and I are going through a divorce. Can I prevent the child from obtaining a passport? You can enroll in CPIAP for a U.S. passport and ask the court for passport restrictions. For a Turkish passport, the consent of both parents is required. Consult an attorney; see 12.6 Finding an attorney.
• The child will fly alone. What is required? CBP recommends a notarized permission letter for children traveling without a parent. Also ask about the airline’s unaccompanied-minor rules.

• Form DS-3077: Children’s Passport Issuance Alert Program application (PDF)
• Form DS-11: U.S. passport application (PDF)
• Form DS-3053: Statement of parental consent (PDF)
• CBP visitor guide, sample consent letter (PDF)
• U.S. Department of State dual nationality page
• U.S. Embassy Ankara dual nationality page
• Consular appointment system (konsolosluk.gov.tr)