British Citizenship by Registration
If you have another type of British Nationality
If you are a British national who satisfies the requirements for British citizenship, you may submit an application for registration. You may be qualified for this opportunity under a number of circumstances, some of which are as follows:
Born before 1983 to a British mother
Due to historic gender discrimination in British Nationality Law, women could not pass on their citizenship to their children born outside the UK. After the enactment of the British Nationality Act 1981(which came into force in 1983), women could pass their citizenship onto their children born outside the UK, but this law did not apply retrospectively. To remedy this historical gender discrimination, persons born outside the UK to British mothers before 1 January 1983 now have the option of applying for British Citizenship by Registration.
Children under the age of 18
It is not possible for children to become British citizens by naturalisation until they become eighteen years old. On the other hand, parents and guardians can register their children as British citizens, which is an alternative option. There are several ways to go about this registration process, but it’s vital to remember that the regulations might be complex. We highly recommend consulting with someone for help and advice if you are unclear about which type of application to pursue.
Persons of any age who were born in the UK and did not acquire British Citizenship at birth
The British Nationality Act 1981, which went into effect on January 1, 1983, eliminated the birth right citizenship, also referred to as jus soli. As a result, an individual’s British nationality now depends on their parents’ circumstances at the time of their birth. You may be eligible for British citizenship by registration if you were born in the UK but did not automatically acquire it.
If you are curious about our British Citizenship by Registration Services and would like to learn more, feel free to reach out to us. We are excited to explore ways in which we can assist you throughout your application process.
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Process of obtaining British citizenship due to unique circumstances
The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 brought about a change in the British Nationality Act 1981 with the addition of section 4L. This new provision provides a means for adults, who would have met the qualifications to become British citizens, to register themselves under certain circumstances outlined in the law.
In accordance with section 4L, an individual has the possibility to obtain British citizenship through registration if:
- Individuals who have reached adulthood and possess the necessary mental abilities, specifically those who are 18 years old or older and mentally competent
- According to the judgment of the Secretary of State, they possess the potential to be or could have become British citizens if not for one or more of the following circumstances:
- Past injustices in legislation encompass various instances where individuals could have acquired or retained British citizenship status, had it not been for the absence of appropriate Acts of Parliament or subordinate legislation.
- Unmarried couples’ children received equal treatment to those of married couples, regardless of the mother’s marital status and the biological father’s relationship. Equality was upheld for both men and women.
- An individual fulfilling public duties falls under this category. This encompassing definition extends to government agencies and local administrations.
- However, it does not encompass members of Parliament or individuals carrying out specific functions related to Parliamentary proceedings, such as MPs and members of the House of Lords.
- The notion of exceptional circumstances regarding said individual is applicable only in cases where such circumstances directly hindered the acquisition of citizenship, rather than cases where the individual fails to meet the requirements for other paths to citizenship.
While these circumstances are not an exhaustive list, they represent the most prevalent situations in which individuals seek to apply for British Citizenship through Registration.
British Citizenship by Registration
British Nationality offers applicants a secure path to gaining full British citizenship. With a range of options for those who qualify.
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With years of experience working in UK immigration and Litigation law, our advisors can help you understand the process and take the right steps toward obtaining your goals. Get in touch today.