What is British Registration

Obtaining citizenship is the last mandatory step on your path to becoming a British Citizen and eventually obtaining a British passport. In most cases, applications to be registered as a British Citizen are made on behalf of children based on the status of their parent(s). However, certain adults are also able to apply to register.

Holding British Citizenship can offer you:

• Live in the UK permanently.
• The right to work with no restrictions.
• Free medical care and access to state benefits.
• Children and dependents obtain the advantages of your citizenship.
• Travel freely without losing your status in the UK.
• Right to vote in the UK and stand in elections.

Please note that registration is an application to become British Citizen, but not an application for the British passport itself. After your application for registration is successful, you are then entitled to apply separately for a British passport.

General requirements

Children may be entitled to register as a British Citizen, providing they are under the age of 18 on the date the application is received, and they can satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that they meet one of the following requirements:

• they were born in the UK but not automatically British by birth, and one parent has since become a British Citizen or settled in the UK while they are still minors; or
• they were born outside the UK, at the time of birth they had a parent who was British Citizen by descent, the child and both parents lived in the UK for 3 years immediately before the date of the application, and they all satisfy the residence requirements; or
• they were born outside the UK, at the time of birth they had a parent who was British Citizen by descent, that parent had a parent who was (or would have become) British Citizen otherwise by descent either when s/he was born or on 1 January 1983, and that parent must have lived in the UK continuously for 3 years before the the child was born and satisfy the residence requirement.

Children may also be registered as British Citizen through the discretion of UKVI, if:

• they were born outside the UK; and
• one or both parents are applying for British Citizenship at the same time, and the other parent is British or settled in the UK.

Individuals (children and adults) may be entitled to register as a British Citizen, providing they can satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that they meet the following requirements:

• they were born in the UK but not automatically British by birth; 
• they are aged 10 or over on the date of the application;
• they have lived in the UK for the first 10 years of their life; and
• they satisfy the residence requirements.

Any individual who is aged 10 or over when applying for registration as a British Citizen must also meet the good character requirement.

There may be other routes for a child or an adult to register as British Citizen and the exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration specialist for expert advice.

Application process and fees 

A registration application is submitted online, followed by the submission of all your supporting documents to UKVI. You will also need to book and attend an appointment to enrol your biometrics. In most cases, you will be able to keep your original passport while waiting for the decision. 

The current application fee for registration as British Citizen is  £1,126 for an adult, and £1,012 for a child. You may need to spend a further £80 to arrange a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). 

What happens next

If your application is successful and you are an adult, you will receive a letter from UKVI which requires you to book and attend a public ceremony within 3 months. During the ceremony you will take the Oath of Allegiance and a pledge.

Unlike adults, when children successfully obtain British Citizenship there is no legal requirement for them to attend a ceremony and take the oath and pledge. However, if they are part of a successful family application they will receive an invite along with their parents to attend the ceremony. They may have to take the oath and pledge if they become an adult by the time the case is decided.

After this, you will be able to apply for a British passport, which is the most popular proof of ID for British Citizens.

How we can help

Our knowledgeable and experienced immigration team can:

• Assess your case and advise whether you are eligible to apply
• Provide you with a tailored & comprehensive document list
• Review all your documents and advise on necessary amendments
• Suggest on how to improve your application
• Complete your application forms in accordance with the UKVI requirements
• Assist you to complete the application submission process
• Provide our representation letter to support your application with necessary legal arguments
• Liaise with UKVI on your behalf

Depending on your need and budget, we have different levels of services that you may choose from. Check out Our Services to see which one is for you. 

Want to discuss your case with an immigration specialist? Contact Us now.