Applying for UK Citizenship By Birth: What You Should Know

Did you know children born in the UK to foreign parents are not automatically British citizens? To gain citizenship, their parents must file an application with the Home Office, ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements.

Keep reading to discover how to apply for UK Citizenship By Birth, how much it costs, and how it differs from Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status. If you’re ready to discuss how British Citizenship By Birth may help your family, we recommend meeting with an immigration lawyer for personalised guidance.

What is UK Citizenship By Birth?

Historically, everyone born in the UK automatically had British citizenship, regardless of their parent’s immigration status. The only exceptions were those with diplomat fathers working for a non-UK country, and people born in the Channel Islands during World War 2 whose fathers were classed as an ‘enemy alien in occupation’.

Since the 1st January 1983, British citizenship is no longer automatically granted to anyone who is born in the UK. To be eligible, you must have lived in the UK until you were 10 or older, or be an under-18 whose parent(s) became a British citizen or gained permission to stay in the UK permanently.

How Foreign Parents Can Claim UK Citizenship for their Children

Foreign parents must apply for British Citizenship registration on behalf of their children. If their child is 18 or above, they can naturalise, meaning registration is not necessary. This also applies to children over 13 years old who have lived in the UK for at least 2 years prior to the registration.

For those with children under the age of 18, the first step is to submit Form MN1 to the Home Office in order to register a child for British Citizenship. As well as this, parents must book an appointment at a local UKVCAS service point to submit supporting documents and provide biometric information.

The application costs £1,214, along with a possible biometrics fee of £19.20 and a citizenship ceremony fee of £130 for parents of children who will turn 18 during the application process. Under-18s can avoid charges by applying for a fee waiver.

The process of applying for British Citizenship By Birth tends to last up to 6 months. If the application is going to take longer than this, the Home Office will inform the applicant before 6 months have passed.

Documents Needed for UK Citizenship By Birth

The British Citizenship By Birth application must include the following documents relating to the child:

• British passport application form
• Proof that child is a British national
• Any previous valid passports from different countries
• Birth or adoption certificate
• Certified translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh

Differences Between UK Citizenship and Permanent Residency for Children

When children obtain British Citizenship By Birth, they have the same rights as any British-born person. This includes the right to vote, hold dual citizenship, and apply for a British passport. Yet, children with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) do not have thse rights.

In terms of travel, children with ILR are at risk of losing this immigration status if they spend too much time outside of the UK, whereas British Citizenship By Birth holders are free to travel as much as they would like to.

Conclusion

Given that British Citizenship By Birth is not an automatic right for those with foreign parents, it’s something parents must carefully consider for their children, looking into the benefits of citizenship compared to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

To get help with this important decision, don’t hesitate to find an immigration solicitor who specialises in citizenship. They will outline how the application works, and offer specialist advice on how to work through each section.