Security Clearance but parents abroad and nationality issues

[iamqwerty123]

I think I need a security clearance (SC) for a reservist role with the military, but as I understand it, the vetting is the same, hence I am posting on here and not a military forum, because there seems to be a lot of knowledable people here.

1) Can you fail SC because of someone else? I'm assuming yes if your partner is dodgy on the financial section, but what about parents? I have parents no longer living in the UK. The issue is they have UK Passport and also passport of home country (which does not allow dual nationality)
2) Can you get someone else in trouble because of the SC process? Again because my parents no longer live in the UK, I'm assuming the DBS/NVS must check some how overseas with foreign government departments to verify identity and address? The issue is the homecountry does not allow dual nationality, UK does. As far as I'm aware of, my parents have never declared a second nationality in their home country. And if somehow notified, I doubt it would be good. They no longer wish to live in the UK, but have kept passport just in case.

There is bits for "nationality" and "dual nationality if applicable". And also, I got my british passport because they got theirs. So, it is not really deniable. (I do not have this issue because my passport expired and I did not renew, so I only have UK passport and live/work here)

[WordIsBond]

I don't know enough about security clearances to answer this, and it may differ from country to country as to who they contact and how.

But if I thought there was any risk that going for a security clearance here was going to trigger inquiries that might trigger uncomfortable investigations for my parents in their home country, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't even think of it.

[SueEllen]

Just put down the truth.

No you can't get other people in trouble. Lots of the time they just want to see people's records e.g. do it all on computer.

There are a few countries that disallow dual nationality and I know people who have SC clearance whose parents were illegal dual nationals.

[Scruff]

You think that you need Clearance for a military reservist position? Just ask them to remove any doubt.

[iamqwerty123]

Just put down the truth.

No you can't get other people in trouble. Lots of the time they just want to see people's records e.g. do it all on computer.

There are a few countries that disallow dual nationality and I know people who have SC clearance whose parents were illegal dual nationals.

Yes, that's probably true. I wouldn't have even asked this if my parents were still in the UK, because no possible enquiries would be overseas. It's just I'm not sure how they verify if they do it at all for relations who are abroad. When I rang the DBS-NRV helpline, the person didn't know and said the people who would know won't say because of national security, shocker.

The people you know. Were their parents in the UK or their homecountry while they were getting their SC clearance?

I'm considering putting my parents primary nationality as their homecountry and UK as the Dual Nationality (it's possible they may ask only primary nationality to foreign agencies), or simply not providing an current address but with UK as only nationality, since "de jure", their homecountry nationality is no longer valid under homeland laws.

You think that you need Clearance for a military reservist position? Just ask them to remove any doubt.

The website says security clearance is the last thing after medical before signing the Offical Secrets Act, so I'd assume yes. Given that I'm not joining to be a chef but to be trained on exciting things like automatic, heavy weaponry, military vehicles and hardware, I'd even more assume yes.

I don't know enough about security clearances to answer this, and it may differ from country to country as to who they contact and how.

But if I thought there was any risk that going for a security clearance here was going to trigger inquiries that might trigger uncomfortable investigations for my parents in their home country, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't even think of it.

That's why I want to make sure, or as sure as I can be. They already think it's a stupid idea, but I'm not sure you understand the opposite side of the desire to join the military in some capacity, burning disaffection with some aspect or others of one's life.

[jjdarg]

I think the outcome for your parents may depend on how their home country "does not allow" dual nationality.

If it means "does not recognise", it shouldn't be a big deal, quite a few countries don't, such as the US (where I had dual nationality).

If it means "taking up a second nationality is equal to renouncing original nationality", it might be more difficult for them.

I would put them down as British first, because .gov.uk would recognise that nationality primarily.

(I served in the US Navy, too, and ISTR they didn't even ask for a service number or any records, if that is an indication of how deep they check, and both of my parents are dual nationals living in the US. I listed them as British first.)

[SueEllen]

Yes, that's probably true. I wouldn't have even asked this if my parents were still in the UK, because no possible enquiries would be overseas. It's just I'm not sure how they verify if they do it at all for relations who are abroad. When I rang the DBS-NRV helpline, the person didn't know and said the people who would know won't say because of national security, shocker.

Westernised countries have computer records of people.