If your consideration is obtaining British citizenship not by descent, then this detailed guideline will empower you with needed knowledge starting from the application process, eligibility criteria, and many other facts you need to know. Even birth citizenship of the British Empire is not always automatic, and it is of paramount importance to get acquainted with the particular cases entailing special conditions and requirements.
Eligibility Criteria For British Citizenship by Birth
Don’t take for granted that you will get British citizenship by default when you find yourself in the UK. Therefore, the conditions determine the eligibility rather than the eligibility requirements a person is expected to satisfy. Here are the key eligibility criteria:
Parents’ Status
If the mother and father are residing in the UK, their children will automatically obtain British citizenship at birth through naturalization.
The citizenship of a child can be acquired abroad if they were born to a British national and they also can acquire citizenship via registration.
Age Requirement For British Citizenship by Birth
ILR is an Immigration Permit that provides unlimited rights to employees to remain in the UK.
Immigration children at the age of 16 must be holding an indefinite leave to remain in the UK before seeking citizenship application.
Residence Period
In the case of a child aged 13 and above, they should have stayed in the UK at least for the last two years before consideration for registration.
Registration Process
To register your children for British citizenship by birth, follow these steps:
- Online Form: Enter all personal and credit card information into the website’s registration form.
- Biometric Information: Book a slot on the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) website for your biometrics capture at the nearest UKVCAS service point.
- Document Submission: Provide all necessary documents as evidence for your written application, including birth certificates, proof of ILR, and any other related documents.
- Residence Requirement: Make sure that the offspring of non-British nationals who are born in the UK comply with the residence provision.
In the mid-80s June 2006, people who had a British nationality parent at the time of birth will be able to become UK citizens.
Children born before 30 March 1983 who have a father who is a British citizen or a mother who was a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies (other than married to the father) are already UK citizens.
Adoption and British Citizenship
One of the key adoption laws in the UK is the Child Act 1989 which states that children adopted on or after January 1, 1983, shall acquire British citizenship automatically if the adoptive parent is a UK citizen. Other scenarios include:
- This means that if UK nationals adopt children from abroad and the UK court grants them UK nationality or issues a parental order in England, those children can become UK nationals.
- Adoption of England citizens awards the person with British citizenship irrespective of whether the adoption or parental order is valid.
Obtaining a British Passport for Your Child
To apply for a British passport for your child under 16:
- Fill out the application indicating the owners’ details and names, including signatures of the parents or the legal guardians.
- In the case necessary, clarify with a written statement that neither of the parent’s contacts can be provided.
- Any children who are 12 to 15 years old need to provide their information by signing the application form.
- Have an affidavit of a British citizen known your child for at least two years who works in a position recognized by the state and who swears the child is yours.
- The fee for applying for a child’s passport is currently £58.50 if applying online or £68.50 if applying via paper form.
Document Requirements for Passport Application
When applying for a British passport for your child, prepare the following documents:
- Birth/adoption certificates, the final document.
- If a traveler’s full name is different from the one on the birth certificate, a signed letter should accompany the passport explaining the name change and the original records of the new name’s usage.
- Any original passports that were issued from a foreign country.
- This can be in the form of a British genealogical link to both of you or other factors relating to nationality, for example; your child’s “nationality status”.
- Certified translations (documents once they’ve been translated into English or Welsh).
The British Citizenship by Birth Application Form
Apply for a Form for British citizenship under 18 years old to register the baby with birth or adoption process. This can be provided by applicants and it includes people from the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and other British Overseas jurisdictions. Key sections include:
Section 5: The relevant Referee Information Requirements shall be specific including details of the referees whose identity must be confirmed.
- Parental information and consent.
- A verifiable single parent or parent with no means of obtaining the true identity of the child’s biological. parents may submit a written affidavit.
- Applicants born before 1983 should use the UKM Form.
Children Born Through Surrogacy
“Good Character” Requirement
To qualify for British citizenship, applicants aged 10 or over must demonstrate character, which involves:
- Adherence to UK laws protects one against war crimes and other convictions except for severe ones, such as terrorism.
- none of the violations of immigration rules such as crossing deadlines of the visas.
- The additional attention to the fact that the child’s age is the influencing factor when a lawyer develops the position of the client.
Citizenship Ceremonies
Citizenship applicants older than 18 years old will take their oath, which lies at the registration stage of the citizenship program. Youths aged 11 and over who want to be at a citizenship ceremony will also swear the Allegiance Oath and dedicate to Britain. After that, have a UK passport. Upon demand, a qualified sign language interpreter will be available for children who are not native English speakers or who have special needs.
Dual Citizenship in the UK
The UK has permission to hold double or multiple citizenship, meaning that an individual can be a British citizen while remaining a citizen of another country. The individual may also retain his/her previous citizenship. In this respect, it is necessary to make sure that you find out the particular limits of the country your citizenship belongs to and to find out how these rules vary from those of the country you will apply for new citizenship. Some countries can still mandate military obligations in addition to the citizenship requirement.
British Citizenship by Birth Fee
The cost for registering children who are passionate about British citizenship is £1,012. Also, it costs you £80 for the booking fee to attend a citizenship ceremony which is mandatory for applicants who are 18 and above. The process of quizzing the applicants may also include a fee of £19.20 for processing biometric data. The setting of biometric fees may differ for applicants from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and other British overseas territories if it suits that way.
Status Letter
To assess your status in the UK immigration system, the first step is determining your right to live, study, or work in the UK. A status letter can help clarify your situation, but only a court can officially confirm British citizenship. Status letters are a useful tool for you and your children to check if you qualify for British nationality. You can inquire about your status using Form NS, or apply for a British passport or certificate of nationality to confirm your right of abode and UK nationality.
Acquiring British citizenship by birth is possible through various routes, each with its own set of requirements. Whether you’re pursuing citizenship by descent, adoption, or surrogacy, it’s important to understand the process to avoid delays. Ensure you have the proper documents, a complete legal record, and meet the character requirements to help your child obtain British citizenship and enjoy its benefits.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your application straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Spouse/Partner Visa or Permanent Residence, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit the UK. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
