British Citizenship for Children Guidance

Acquiring British Citizenship for a child ensures they have a secure future in the UK free of immigration control.

From an immigration perspective it means:

• • No uncertainty for those who status is precarious and dependant on others; and
  • They are no longer subject to rules and processes to maintain their stay in the UK.

From a practical viewpoint it enables a child to:

• • Grow up in the community and assimilate into the UK cultural norm
  • On completion of school they can access higher education and enter the workforce without restriction
  • As young adults are able to vote in elections once they turn 18, can claim state benefits, and use the NHS.

The most common way to become British automatically is through birth, both within and outside the UK.

For those who do not have an automatic entitlement to British citizenship there are several specific registration categories available which can be used depending on the circumstances.

British Citizenship By Birth 

Anyone born in the UK prior to 1 January 1983 is automatically British.

For those born here after this date an automatic entitlement will depend on where they were born and on the lineage or immigration history of their parents.

Those born in the UK with a British parent or one holding settled status are automatically British and applies to the vast majority of those born here post 1 January 1983.

Automatic British Citizenship Through Birth Outside The UK 

Children born outside the UK to a parent who is a British citizen 'otherwise than by descent' i.e. the parent was born, adopted, or naturalised in the UK are automatically British. 

British nationality only allows for automatic British citizenship to pass down one generation.

For those born outside the UK to a parent who became a British citizen through 'descent' i.e. the parent was born outside the UK and obtained their citizenship themselves through a parent who was British 'otherwise than by descent' are not automatically British.

British Nationality Through Double Descent

This applies to those born whose both parent and grandparent were British by descent but only applies in limited circumstances.

It may apply where a grandparent was born prior to 1 January 1988, but their birth must have been in a non-Commonwealth country and excludes a large number of possible claimants.

What Are The Requirements For Your Child To Become A British Citizen? 

There are number of options available for children wishing to apply to register as a British citizen. 

Almost all application types detailed here require the applicant to be under the age of 18 at the date their application is submitted for consideration. 

Child Registration By Entitlement

Some options require the applicant to meet specific conditions as defined by British nationality law (usually referred to as registration by ‘entitlement’), while others will be considered at the ‘discretion’ of the Home Secretary.

Child Registration By Discretion

Discretion applications also require the applicant to meet certain criteria, however, these requirements have been defined by the Home Secretary which allows for a degree of flexibility in decision making.

Application types are labelled by the section of the British Nationality Act 1981 (BNA 1981) which define the principal qualifying criteria. 

Child Registration By Entitlement Through Section 1(3) Of The BNA 1981

This applies to children born in the UK to parents who obtained indefinite leave to remain or settled status after the child’s birth. 

This applies to a considerable number of children given they would have been born whilst their parents were subject to immigration control through for example work or study.

The only requirements for this type of registration is that the applicant was born in the UK and at least one parent has obtained ILR since the child’s birth.

Registration By Entitlement Through Section 1(4) of the BNA 1981

For children (or qualifying adults) who were born in the UK to parents who were neither British nor settled and who have spent the first 10 years of their life living in the UK.

This type of application is particularly useful for children born to parents with no immigration status. It is often referred to as a ‘Form T’ application. 

Applicants must:

• • Have been born in the UK
  • Were not a British citizen at birth, as at the time of birth neither parent was a British citizen nor settled in the UK
  • Are aged 10 years or over on the date of the application
  • Have lived in the UK for the first 10 years of their life
  • Have not been outside of the UK for more than 90 days in each of the first 10 years of their life and
  • Are of good character.

Registration By Discretion Through Section 1(3) Of The BNA 1981

Generally, for children born outside of the UK who need to apply at the discretion of the Home Secretary. 

• • There are no specific criteria for this type of application, however, the following factors may be considered in deciding upon a successful application:
  • The child’s connection with the United Kingdom;
  • Place of birth;
  • Where the child’s future is likely to lie;
  • The parents’ views;
  • The parents’ nationality;
  • The parents’ immigration status in the UK;
  • Whether the child is of good character (for children over the age of 10 criminal convictions may be an issue);
  • Length of time the child has lived in the UK;
  • Length of time the child’s parents have lived in the UK; and
  • Any compelling circumstances which may require British citizenship.

Children born outside of the UK who have subsequently gained indefinite leave and who wish to apply for citizenship at the same time as their parents would normally apply through this registration category.

Registration By Entitlement Through Section 3(2) & S.3(5) Of The BNA 1981

These two categories are for children born outside of the UK to parents who themselves were born outside of the UK (descent) and who are therefore unable to pass on their British citizenship automatically. 

Both categories require specific criteria to be met. 

Section 3(2) Applicants Must Show

• • They were born outside the UK;
  • Are under the age of 18;
  • At least one of the child’s parents was a British citizen by descent (i.e. born outside of the UK) at the time of the child’s birth;
  • The British citizen parent spent a continuous period of three years living in the UK prior to the child’s birth.
  • During the three-year residence period, the child’s parent should not have had absences exceeding 270 days; and
  • The child’s parent / parents must consent to the child being registered as a British citizen.

Section 3(5) Applicants Must Show

1. 1. They were born outside the UK;
   2. Are under the age of 18;
   3. At least one of the child’s parents was a British citizen by descent at the time of the child’s birth;
   4. Both the child and both parents should have lived in the UK for a continuous three-year period ending with the date that the application is submitted to the Home Office;
   5. The child and their parent / parents should have been physically present in the UK at the start of the three-year period;
   6. Both the child and both parents must not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days during the three-year residential period; and
   7. The child’s parent / parents must consent to the child being registered as a British citizen.

Both types of application are submitted on the basis of ‘entitlement’, however, the Home Office will not exercise discretion if the 270-day absence requirement has not been met.

It is important to note that a child registered under section 3(2) will be a British citizen by descent and will be unable to pass British citizenship on to any of their children born outside of the UK (they will also not be able to register children under either section 3(2) or 3(5) in the future).

A child successfully registered under section 3(5) will be a British citizen otherwise than by descent. This means that the child will be able to pass on their citizenship to any children they may have who are born outside of the UK.

Registration By Entitlement, Sections 4(f)-(l) Of The BNA 1981

Often referred to as a ‘UKF’ application, these types of application are for children (or qualifying adults) born before 1 July 2006 to unmarried British citizen or settled fathers.

Before 1 July 2006, people born out of wedlock could not automatically acquire citizenship through their father. The exception to this was if the parents subsequently married and ‘legitimated’ the child’s birth.

These categories were introduced on 6 April 2015 and do not attract a Home Office application fee.

Key to the success of this type of application is to clearly establish the paternity of the child.

Children who were born to a British father and a non-British mother married to someone else on the date of the child’s birth will need to register at discretion under Section 3(1).

British Passport For A Child

Please note a child born to parent who is British or has settled status at the time of the child's birth and is automatically a British citizen can apply for a passport to evidence it's nationality.

For those registering as a British citizen, the passport application should not be made until there is a successful registration application outcome. 

If you would like to discuss your child’s eligibility for British citizenship in more detail, please contact us on +44 (0)20 7038 3980, email us at info@rlegal.com or use our online enquiry form.

Alternatively click on the links below for frequently asked questions.