A child born in the USA acquires American citizenship by jus soli - and this does not go away. When parents obtain a second passport, the question arises: how to include such a child and what happens to their US citizenship. To be frank: Antigua is added, and American citizenship remains. We explain how we included a child from the USA and honestly clarified the situation.
Case at a glance
Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines
Client
Parents and a child born in the USA
Objective
Include the child in Antigua citizenship
Program
Antigua and Barbuda, citizenship by investment
Special feature
The child holds US citizenship by right of birth
Honest boundaries
Antigua citizenship is added, US citizenship is retained
Solution
Child inclusion + clarity on dual citizenship
Result
Child is a citizen of Antigua, US citizenship retained
Client story
Client's story
Where they started
The clients' child was born in the USA and automatically acquired American citizenship by jus soli. When the family was obtaining Antigua citizenship, they wanted to include this child as well, but questions arose: how to do this and what would happen to their US citizenship.
Why the standard route did not work
It is important to honestly outline the situation from the start. The child's acquisition of Antigua citizenship does not cancel or replace their American citizenship - Antigua simply becomes a second citizenship. The child becomes a dual citizen. It is also important to understand that American citizenship carries its own peculiarities (including US tax obligations, which persist regardless of the second passport) - and this is a separate matter from Antigua, which should be addressed with a tax specialist if necessary.
What BRIDGES had to solve
The procedure for including the child was straightforward: we confirmed family relations, prepared the necessary documents for the child (including US birth certificates) and included them in the family application for Antigua according to the program requirements. At the same time, we honestly explained to the parents that the second passport gives the child additional opportunities and mobility, while their US citizenship with all its aspects remains with them.
Why a standard answer would not do
The family came to BRIDGES for clarity and inclusion: to grant a child born in the USA Antigua citizenship as a second citizenship - honestly understanding that US citizenship is retained with all its peculiarities.
Our child was born in the USA and acquired American citizenship. We were obtaining Antigua and wanted to include them, but we did not understand what would happen to the American passport. Anna honestly explained: Antigua is added as a second citizenship, and US citizenship remains with all its aspects, including tax obligations - this is a separate matter for a tax specialist. We included the child in our application, confirming family relations and documents. Now they have two citizenships, and we understand the full picture, not just the attractive part of it.
What was important to consider
What was important to consider
There was no threat - there was a task to include the child and understand the situation with dual citizenship. The risk was in the illusion that Antigua would "replace" or cancel American citizenship, or in underestimating its peculiarities. The main thing was to include the child according to the rules and honestly explain that US citizenship is retained with all its aspects.
That the child acquired US citizenship by right of birth
01That Antigua citizenship is added, not replacing American citizenship
02That the child will have two citizenships
03That US citizenship carries its own peculiarities, including tax implications
04That the US tax aspect is a separate matter for a specialist
The logic of the solution
How the matter progressed: from checks to result
The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.
01
Stage 1
We outlined an honest picture. First, we explained the main point to the parents: Antigua and Barbuda does not replace the child's US citizenship, but is added as a second. This eliminated the illusion of "replacement."
02
Stage 2
We identified the features of US citizenship. We honestly stated that American citizenship carries its own features, including tax obligations, which are retained regardless of the second passport.
03
Stage 3
We separated the tax matter. We noted that the US tax aspect is a separate issue, which if necessary is worked through with a tax specialist, and is not "resolved" by an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
04
Stage 4
We confirmed kinship and documents. We prepared the necessary documents for the child, including American birth documents, confirming kinship according to the program rules.
05
Stage 5
We included the child in the application. We included the child in the family application for Antigua and Barbuda on equal terms with other family members.
Takeaway. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is added to the child as a second and does not cancel American citizenship obtained by right of birth. At the same time, US citizenship retains its own features, including tax aspects - this is a separate matter for a specialist.
How we handled the case
How we handled the case
The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.
01
We outlined an honest picture
First, we explained the main point to the parents: Antigua and Barbuda does not replace the child's US citizenship, but is added as a second. This eliminated the illusion of "replacement."
02
We identified the features of US citizenship
We honestly stated that American citizenship carries its own features, including tax obligations, which are retained regardless of the second passport.
03
We separated the tax matter
We noted that the US tax aspect is a separate issue, which if necessary is worked through with a tax specialist, and is not "resolved" by an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
04
We confirmed kinship and documents
We prepared the necessary documents for the child, including American birth documents, confirming kinship according to the program rules.
05
We included the child in the application
We included the child in the family application for Antigua and Barbuda on equal terms with other family members.
06
We provided a second passport and the full picture
The child obtained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship as a second, retaining American citizenship. The family departed with enhanced mobility for the child and an honest understanding of the dual citizenship picture.
How the work went
From first contact to the result
01We outlined an honest picture
02We identified the features of US citizenship
03We separated the tax matter
04We confirmed kinship and documents
05We included the child in the application
06We provided a second passport and the full picture
The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.
Expert comment
When a child is born in the USA, they acquire American citizenship by right of soil, and parents often come with the question - what will happen to it if we obtain a second passport. I immediately outline the picture honestly, because it is easy to believe in a beautiful illusion here. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship does not cancel or replace American citizenship - it simply is added as a second, and the child becomes a holder of dual citizenship. And I always mention the reverse side: American citizenship carries its own features, including tax obligations to the United States, which are retained regardless of any second passport. This is a separate matter, and if necessary it is worked through with a tax specialist - an Antigua and Barbuda passport does not resolve it. The procedure for including the child itself is straightforward: we confirm kinship, prepare documents, including American birth documents, and include the child in the family application. For this family we did exactly that - we provided the child with a second passport and, most importantly, an honest complete picture, not just its pleasant half.
Outcome
What the client received
What was required
How we accomplished it · Result
Include a child from the USA
inclusion in the family application · child - citizen of Antigua and Barbuda
Understand the picture
honestly about dual citizenship · without the illusion of "replacement"
Consider US features
identified the tax aspect · separate matter for a specialist
Provide opportunities
second passport for the child · mobility + retained US citizenship
Provide opportunities
second passport for the child · mobility + retained US citizenship
What was the situation: the parents' child was born in the USA and obtained American citizenship, and they wanted to include him in Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. What we did: outlined an honest picture; identified the features of US citizenship; separated the tax matter; confirmed kinship and documents; included the child in the application; provided a second passport and the complete picture. What the client received: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for the child as a second, with retention of US citizenship.
Conclusion: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is added to the child as a second and does not cancel American citizenship obtained by right of birth. At the same time, US citizenship retains its own features, including tax aspects - this is a separate matter for a specialist.
A child from the USA received a second passport - because we included him in the family application according to the rules and honestly explained to the parents that American citizenship is retained in all its aspects.
Including a child who already holds a foreign citizenship does not cancel either status, if it is done correctly. We will look at your situation.
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FAQ
Questions people ask in a similar situation
01Does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cancel the child's American citizenship?
No. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is added as a second and does not cancel US citizenship obtained by the child by right of birth. The child becomes a holder of dual citizenship.
02Are US tax obligations retained?
Yes. American citizenship carries specific characteristics, including tax obligations to the United States, which remain regardless of a second passport. This is a separate matter to be discussed with a tax specialist.
03How do I include a child born in the USA in the application?
Confirm kinship and prepare the necessary documents for the child, including U.S. birth certificates, after which the child is included in the family application under the program rules.
04What does Antigua citizenship provide to the child?
Additional mobility and opportunities of second citizenship while retaining American citizenship. This is an expansion, not a replacement of the child's existing status.
05What is the cost of Antigua citizenship for a family?
Non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) from USD 230,000 for a family of up to 4 persons, with additional payments for each dependent. Terms are clarified with the designated authority.
06Which documents were key in this case?
We outlined an honest picture. First, we explained the main point to the parents: Antigua and Barbuda does not replace the child's US citizenship, but is added as a second. This eliminated the illusion of "replacement." We identified the features of US citizenship. We honestly stated that American citizenship carries its own features, including tax obligations, which are retained regardless of the second passport.
07Why did the standard route not suit the client?
It is important to honestly outline the situation from the start. The child's acquisition of Antigua citizenship does not cancel or replace their American citizenship - Antigua simply becomes a second citizenship. The child becomes a dual citizen. It is also important to understand that American citizenship carries its own peculiarities (including US tax obligations, which persist regardless of the second passport) - and this is a separate matter from Antigua, which should be addressed with a tax specialist if necessary.
08What risk had to be closed before filing?
There was no threat - there was a task to include the child and understand the situation with dual citizenship. The risk was in the illusion that Antigua would "replace" or cancel American citizenship, or in underestimating its peculiarities. The main thing was to include the child according to the rules and honestly explain that US citizenship is retained with all its aspects. That the child acquired US citizenship by right of birth
09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?
We included the child in the application. We included the child in the family application for Antigua and Barbuda on equal terms with other family members. We provided a second passport and the full picture. The child obtained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship as a second, retaining American citizenship. The family departed with enhanced mobility for the child and an honest understanding of the dual citizenship picture.
10What confirmed the result in the end?
What was the situation: the parents' child was born in the USA and obtained American citizenship, and they wanted to include him in Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. What we did: outlined an honest picture; identified the features of US citizenship; separated the tax matter; confirmed kinship and documents; included the child in the application; provided a second passport and the complete picture. What the client received: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for the child as a second, with retention of US citizenship. What was required: How we accomplished it · Result. Include a child from the USA: inclusion in the family application · child - citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. Understand the picture: honestly about dual citizenship · without the illusion of "replacement". Consider US features: identified the tax aspect · separate matter for a specialist. Provide opportunities: second passport for the child · mobility + retained US citizenship. Provide opportunities: second passport for the child · mobility + retained US citizenship
As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.
I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.
Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.
Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.
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Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.
