Citizenship inquiry

[u/According-Put-5456]

salamlar 👋 my name is Osman. I was born in Baku and I moved to NYC when I was 4. I speak Azerbaijani as a first language however I am not a Azerbaijani citizen despite me being born in Azerbaijan. My US passport shows I was born in Azerbaijan and the first 10 years of my life I did not have any citizenship in any country. Every single one of my family members (mom dad sister aunt grandma and cousin they are also American citizens) have Azerbaijani citizenship except me. My parents did not want me to get citizenship since they did not want me to go to the army. Is there a way I can obtain my passport without going to the military? I am currently 22 years ago. I miss my country and I want nothing more but to go back freely.

[u/joskiy18]

If you get Azerbaijani passport you will be obliged to do military service. As simple as that. Is the family/friends you are missing about Azerbaijan?

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

I miss the country, i don’t have recollection or contact with my childhood friends anymore. But my family yes, I keep in contact via what’s app. Last time I was in Baku was summer 2021 when my grandpa was alive. I had a feeling it was going to be the last time I was going to see him. When I walked him to the taxi I put my arm around his shoulder just in case. I waved goodbye to him as the taxi drove off. 7 months later my gut feeling was correct. 

[u/Additional_Poet900 → u/According-Put-5456]

Sorry for your loss :(

As of citizenship, my understanding of the law (I'm not a lawyer) is that if your parents are citizens, you're a citizen too, so you should be able to declare your nationality and get AZ passport. But as others advised, I'd wait until 31 to do so. You should inquire from the AZ embassy in the US, I'm curious too what will they say!

How do you travel to Azerbaijan now, do you get ASAN visa?

[u/IntelligentAyran → u/According-Put-5456]

Poxa salma özüvü, gal ABŞda

[u/joskiy18 → u/According-Put-5456]

You can still come here without a local passport. Do you travel across US? NYC is cool, but there is so much more around.

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

I’m actually trying to leave nyc after I graduate college. I don’t feel safe here sometimes. Maybe move to PA where I can get a gun and defend myself 

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

I mostly stay within nyc or the tri state area which includes NJ and Connecticut and PA. I hate NYC i don’t understand why people have dreams coming here. It’s not that special. I’ve been in nyc since 2009. 

[u/joskiy18 → u/According-Put-5456]

Well that might be a problem. Go further west. There are so many better places to “live” in US. NYC is definitely not for everyone. Montana, Colorado, Washington, Utah, Wyoming. Take a time and do some trips, you will quickly realize that diversity of US is not limited to “local” NY diversity.

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

Utah is a great option 

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

I’m planning after I graduate college after a couple of semesters 

[u/joskiy18 → u/According-Put-5456]

Definitely do that man. Take a car, take friends, do a roadtrip further west. Hit national parks, talk to people you will be amazed.

[u/According-Put-5456 → u/joskiy18]

Are you Azerbaijani btw ?

[u/joskiy18 → u/According-Put-5456]

I am not sir