We moved to Mexico in 2004 with our 7 children...Timothy, Elijah, Rebekah, Benjamin, Abigail, Isaiah, and Josiah.
Our son, Noah, was our first baby born here. In the 3 years to follow, Susannah, Nehemiah, and Eliseo were born at the local hospital about 30 minutes from our home here.
Due to a complicated pregnancy, our little Samuel was born in the USA.
Our four children born here became Mexican citizens at birth.
And within a few weeks of their birth, we were able to register them as American citizens as well due to the fact that their parents are American citizens. :-)
Daniel applied for and received his Mexican citizenship 3 years ago. This was a tremendous answer to prayer as it allows him to preach freely without the need of a special visa. And he is so proud to be a part of a people whom he loves so much.
There is a law here in Mexico that when an American child has at least one Mexican parent, he/she can become registered as a Mexican citizen as well.
With Daniel receiving his Mexican citizenship, we were able to begin the process of obtaining Mexican citizenship for our 8 USA born children.
A trip to Los Angeles to get their birth certificates apostilled.
A trip to La Paz to find an official translator to translate each birth certificate and apostilled document into Spanish.
And finally, a trip to our local government office here in our town to turn in the documents and pay the registration fee.
We hold the record, by the way...the record here in our town for registering the most children in one day. :)
So our 12 children now have both Mexican and American citizenship!
They no longer need visas, our older boys are excited to be now able to work, and like their Daddy, are proud to be a part of a country they call their home.
They like to tease that I'm the only "gringa" now. :)
I think they'll keep me though.
I'm the one that cooks the beans! :)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:30
There is a law here in Mexico that when an American child has at least one Mexican parent, he/she can become registered as a Mexican citizen as well.
With Daniel receiving his Mexican citizenship, we were able to begin the process of obtaining Mexican citizenship for our 8 USA born children.
A trip to Los Angeles to get their birth certificates apostilled.
A trip to La Paz to find an official translator to translate each birth certificate and apostilled document into Spanish.
And finally, a trip to our local government office here in our town to turn in the documents and pay the registration fee.
We hold the record, by the way...the record here in our town for registering the most children in one day. :)
So our 12 children now have both Mexican and American citizenship!
They no longer need visas, our older boys are excited to be now able to work, and like their Daddy, are proud to be a part of a country they call their home.
They like to tease that I'm the only "gringa" now. :)
I think they'll keep me though.
I'm the one that cooks the beans! :)
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:30
Congratulations! So exciting!
ReplyDeleteOur children are dual citizens too - Canadian/American.
My husband and I are working on our American part of our citizenship.
We are in the same boat as you! Everyone in my family is American/French except for me. Maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be in a boat with you! :)
DeleteI hope someday I'll get my Mexican cit. too. I was going to apply this year, but we had some difficulties with my visa and I lost all the time on my visa that I'd already accumulated, so I'm starting back at square one.
But in two years, I'll be eligible to apply.
PTL I FOUND YOUR BLOG. THE LORD HAS PUT YOU ON MY HEART SO MANY TIMES AND SO YEP YOU HAVE BEEN BEING PRAYED FOR.
DeleteWOW I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU AND THE KIDS. TO HAVE ALL YOUR PAPERS IN ORDER AND HAVE DUAL SWEET!
CAN BE IN THE BOAT TOO? LOL. I NEED TO GET MINE TOO.
HAVE A BLESSED DAY, LOVE AND PRAYERS, SANDRA GONZALES-VASQUEZ
Congratulations! This will, hopefully, keep all instances with bureaucracy easy!
ReplyDeleteMuy bien! Praying God's blessings on this for you all! I am sure it will make travel to and from both countries much easier!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to sound weird but all of your kids have the most beautiful long lanky fingers! LOL! Congratulations on dual citizenship. It sounds like it was a lot of work but your children will appreciate being able to travel easier. So does that mean they have passports from both countries?
ReplyDeleteThey do have long, lanky fingers! :-)
DeleteThey just have a US passport...that is what is needed for them to travel back into the USA (proof of citizenship). We've never been asked documentation to enter Mexico. But once staying here, you need a visa (permission). With them having Mexican citizenship, they don't need visas.
Oh congratulations. We all received our U.S. citizenship 2 years ago(except for our 3 that were U.S. born) so I know how exciting it is and how much easier it makes crossing the border, even into the Great White North of Canada where we are from. Hopefully you'll have yours soon too.
ReplyDeleteI admire your love for the people of Mexico, they will be blessed by your commitment to them. I can not thank you enough for all that you do. I am always encouraged by what I read but have been espeacially blessed by your posts on schedules and menu planning. Thank you so much for sharing the practical, nitty gritty, of being a mom and raising a family. It was just what I needed to "hear" and I am looking forward to gleaning more wisdom from a blessed mother of many. Your willness to be honest and open about your life and it's ups and downs is refreshing. May God bless you as you serve Him!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It sounds like that is going to make your ministry there so much more effective.
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations! My husband has dual citizenship too {Mexican/American} and he can choose whatever country he is "from" when he is in a conversation with someone... by whatever happens to be convenient for him at the time.... LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteHa! Exactly :)
DeleteCongratulations to all nice looking family..
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound so easy !!!
ReplyDeleteLove all the pictures :) everyone looks very happy!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Mrs. Lockwood! Hope your day is wonderful and blessed!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Mrs. Lockwood!! Hope your day is wonderful and blessed!!
ReplyDeleteAwwww....you too, Bethany! :) My birthday buddy! :) And just so you know, I'm still older than you...keep trying and you just might catch up some year!
ReplyDeleteWhat an honor and a blessing! The opportunity move and work freely in the land and be a true part of the people. Love to check in on your blogs and see how your family is blessing others.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of you today and just wanted to wish you a Happy 4th of July. I was so excited for you when I saw this post! What a blessing! Also, I know I'm a little late, but Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDelete