Registration as a British Citizen

While it is most commonly known as the process through which children living in the UK can obtain British citizenship, it also extends to children born or residing overseas who have a qualifying connection to the United Kingdom.

In addition, certain adults outside the UK may be eligible to register as British citizens where they would have qualified for citizenship previously, but were unable to do so due to historic discrimination in nationality law. This may include cases where citizenship could not be transmitted through maternal line, or where a person’s status at birth, such as being considered illegitimate under prior legislation, prevented acquisition of citizenship.

How Our Immigration Lawyer Can Help You Register as a British Citizen

At our firm, we understand that applications for registration as a British citizen often involve complex personal histories and nuanced legal considerations. Our team provides a bespoke service, ensuring that every application is handled with the utmost care, precision, and discretion.

We take the time to understand each client’s unique circumstances, whether rooted in family heritage, historical entitlement, or long-term residence in the UK and offer clear, strategic advice tailored to your individual situation.

Who qualifies for registration?

You may qualify for registration if any of the following apply

Children under the age of 18

• You were born in the UK and either of your parents later obtained British citizenship or indefinite leave / permanent residence / settled status
• You were born in the UK and lived in the UK for the first 10 years of your life
• You were born outside the UK but have lived in the UK for several years. Ideally, but not necessarily, you should have indefinite leave and at least one of your parents should qualify for British citizenship
• You were born outside the UK and were adopted by a British citizen
• You were born outside the UK through a surrogacy arrangement
• You were born outside the UK and you have a British parent who was also born outside the UK but who lived in the UK for three years before you were born
• You were born outside the UK and you have a British parent also born outside the UK, and you have both lived in the UK together for at least three years
• You were born in the UK and have lived here for five years and are stateless

Adults aged 18 or over

• You were born outside the UK to a British mother before 1 January 1983
• You were born outside the UK to a British father before 1 July 2006, your father was a British citizen and your parents were not married
• You were born in the UK and lived the first 10 years of your life in the UK

Contact Our Immigration Lawyer

If you’d like to discuss matters further, please email our Immigration lawyer on immigration@bishopandsewell.co.uk or complete the online enquiry form on this page.