Client story
Client's Story
Where they started
The client raised her children alone and wanted to provide them with more: mobility, educational choices, and security for the future - through a second passport. She was prepared to become the primary applicant herself, as an independent mother.
Why the standard route did not work
The question that arises for single mothers concerns the father. In family applications, sometimes the participation or consent of the second parent is required, and the client feared that without the father, she would be unable to process her children's applications. This was a sensitive issue for her: she had raised her children alone and wanted to process them herself.
What BRIDGES had to solve
In practice, a mother can be the primary applicant and include her children in her application. When she independently raises the children, the key becomes confirmation of her status and that the children are in her care, rather than mandatory participation of the father. Dominica's program with its broad family composition allows a mother to obtain citizenship for herself and her children.
Why a standard answer would not do
At BRIDGES, the client came to accomplish this as an independent mother: to become the primary applicant, confirm her status and guardianship over the children, and include them in her application, obtaining passports for herself and her children.
I raise my children alone and wanted to give them a second passport, but I was afraid that without the father nothing would work out - what if his participation was required. Anna reassured me: I can be the primary applicant myself and include my children in my application. We confirmed my status and guardianship, and obtained citizenship for me and my children. We received passports without any participation from the father. It was important to me to do this myself, as a mother - and it worked out.
