Apply for British citizenship

Whether you're exploring your options, or ready to take the next step and apply, our experienced team is here to help. From determining eligibility and understanding the different types of British citizenship, to providing guidance on the application process and supporting documents, we are here to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Let us help you on your path to exploring whether you are British already or can be registered as British.

British citizenship by birth

You are automatically considered a British citizen if you were born in the United Kingdom. Generally, there are two different rules to follow to determine if you are a British citizen by birth.

• Born in the UK before1 January 1983: You might already be a British citizen, and you can get a British passport.
• Born in the UK after 1 January 1983: You can claim British citizenship if at least one of your parents was a permanent resident or British citizen at the time of your birth.

In these cases, the individual is considered a British citizen by birth and does not need to go through any further steps to acquire citizenship. This type of citizenship is called British otherwise by descent and allows you to pass your citizenship down to future generations.

British citizenship by descent

If you do not meet the requirements for indefinite leave to remain after five years on the Ancestry visa, you also have the option of extending your visa. This is great if your goal is to obtain indefinite leave to remain and eventually become a UK citizen.

You are considered a British citizen if you were born outside of the UK and have a parent who is a British citizen, either by birth or through naturalisation. This type of British citizenship can only be passed down one further generation, and you are considered to be British by descent, not by birth.

British citizenship through a UK-born mother

If your mother was born in the UK, the important date to keep in mind is 1 January 1983.

• If you were born on or after this date, you are British by descent already and can apply for a British passport.
• If you were born before 1 January 1983, you must first register as British and then you can apply for a British passport.

British citizenship through a UK-born father

If your father was born in the UK, the important date to keep in mind is 1 July 2006. If you were born before this date, then the question is, "Were your parents married before you were born?"

• Born before 1 July 2006: If you were born outside of the UK and your father was a British citizen at the time of your birth and your parents were married, you are British by descent already and can apply for a British passport.
  
• Born before 1 July 2006: If you were born outside of the UK and your father was a British citizen at the time of their birth but your parents were not married, you can register as British and then apply for a British passport.
  
• After or on 1 July 2006: If you were born outside of the UK and your father was a British citizen at the time of your birth, you can apply for a British passport.

British citizenship for children under the age of 18

• They were born outside the United Kingdom; or
• They were born after 21 May 2002, outside any of the British Overseas Territories; and
• They were born to parents, one or both of whom are British citizens by descent; and
• The parent who is British by descent was born to a parent (the child's grandparent) who was a British citizen otherwise than by descent (or would have been but for their death); and,
• The parent who is British by descent lived in the United Kingdom at any time before the child's birth for a continuous period of three years and was not absent for more than 270 days during their stay.

British citizenship by double descent

• At the time of the applicant’s birth, one of their parents was in Crown Service.
• The applicant or one of their parents was born in a British Protectorate or Mandated Territory (for example).
• The applicant or one of their parents was born in a Post-1949 British Colony.

• The UK-born grandparent was in Crown Service when the applicant’s parent was born (in Australia or New Zealand, for example).
• One of the applicant’s parents was born in a post-1949 British Colony.
• One of the applicant’s parents was born in a British Protectorate or Mandated Territory (for example).

It should be noted that if you qualify for British citizenship by double descent,  you can also be eligible for a UK Ancestry Visa.

What is Crown Service?

• British military and police
• Overseas civil service 
• Colonial service
• Diplomatic corps