British Citizenship by Registration
If you do not automatically qualify for British citizenship, applying for Registration as a British Citizen could be your pathway to securing British citizenship. Whether you have a clear entitlement or are considering a discretionary application, understanding the key eligibility criteria is essential. This guide outlines the main requirements for Registration as a British Citizen, covering scenarios from birth conditions and parental citizenship to special circumstances for those born outside the UK.
Our experienced immigration barristers are here to help you navigate the complexities of British nationality law, ensuring your application is managed with expertise and care.
Main Eligibility Requirements for Registration as a British Citizen
To be entitled to register as a British citizen, you must satisfy the Home Office that you meet one of the following criteria:
Born in the UK (after 1 January 1983):
You are not automatically a British citizen by birth.
Your mother and/or father became British citizens or settled in the UK before your 18th birthday.
You applied for registration before your 18th birthday.
Born in the UK (after 1 January 1983):
You are not automatically a British citizen by birth.
Your mother and/or father became a member of the armed forces after 13 January 2010 and before your 18th birthday.
You applied for registration before your 18th birthday.
Born in the UK (after 1 January 1983):
You are not automatically a British citizen by birth.
You were absent from the UK for no more than 90 days in each of the first 10 years of your life.
You applied for registration at any time after your 10th birthday (you can apply under this provision at any age).
Born outside the UK (after 1 January 1983):
One of your parents was a British citizen by descent at the time of your birth.
That parent’s parent (your grandparent) was a British citizen otherwise than by descent.
Your parent lived in the UK for a continuous period of at least three years before your birth, during which they were not absent from the UK for more than 270 days.
You applied for registration before your 18th birthday.
Born outside the UK (after 1 January 1983):
One of your parents was a British citizen by descent at the time of your birth.
You apply for registration before your 18th birthday.
You and your parents were in the UK three years before the application date, with no absences exceeding 270 days.
Both parents consent to the registration.
Born outside the UK and Colonies (before 1 January 1983):
Your mother was a Citizen of the UK and Colonies at the time of your birth.
You would have automatically been a Citizen of the UK and Colonies by descent if British nationality law had treated maternal descent the same as paternal descent at the time of your birth.
You would have had the right of abode in the UK immediately before 1 January 1983 under these circumstances.
Born in the UK (before 1 July 2006):
Your parents were not married at the time of your birth.
You have never been a British citizen.
You would have become a British citizen if your parents had been married at the time of your birth.
British Overseas Territories Citizens and Others:
You are a British Overseas Territories Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas citizen, British subject, or British protected person.
You apply for registration.
You were in the UK five years before the application date, with no absences exceeding 450 days or immigration law breaches.
You were not absent from the UK for more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying, and you were not subject to any immigration restrictions.
Stateless or Special Cases:
You are a British Overseas citizen, British subject, British protected person, or British National (Overseas).
You apply for registration.
The Secretary of State is satisfied that you do not have any other citizenship or nationality, and you have not voluntarily lost any other nationality after specific dates.
Born outside the UK (after 13 January 2010):
At the time of your birth, your mother or father was a member of the armed forces serving outside the UK.
You apply for registration, and if under 18, your parents consent to the registration.
You may also be entitled to register as a British citizen if you have previously renounced British citizenship, are of full capacity, and did so to acquire or retain another nationality.
Discretionary Registration
If you are not entitled to register automatically, you may still apply for registration on a discretionary basis:
As a child, before your 18th birthday.
As a British Overseas Territories Citizen, at any time.
For personalised advice and assistance, consult with an immigration lawyer to guide you through the registration process.