British Citizenship by Registration

You may be eligible to register as a British citizen by entitlement or on a discretionary basis if you do not qualify for British citizenship automatically.

Once you become a British citizen, you will have all the rights and privileges of a British citizen, including the right to vote, work, and live in the UK without any immigration restrictions.

If you need legal advice or help with your British citizenship application, our immigration and UK nationality solicitors can help you.

Table of Contents

1. What is British citizenship by registration?
2. What is the difference between British citizenship by Registration and Naturalisation?
3. How to apply for British citizenship by registration?
4. British citizenship application processing time
5. How can we help with your British citizenship application?

What is British citizenship by registration?

British citizenship by registration is a process by which individuals who are not automatically eligible for British citizenship can apply to become British citizens by registering with the UK government. This may include those born outside the UK to a British parent, those who have lived in the UK for a certain period of time, or who have a close connection to the UK, such as through marriage or ancestry.

There are several ways to become British citizens through registration. A person may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by registration if:

• A person born before 1983 to a British mother.
• A person born before 1 July 2006 whose parents were not married.
• A person born on or after 1 July 2006 who did not become British as their mother was married to someone other than their natural father.
• A person has certain other types of British nationality.
• Ordinarily resident in Hong Kong immediately before 4 February 1997.
• A stateless person.

What is the difference between British citizenship by Registration and Naturalisation?

The main difference between citizenship by registration and naturalization in the UK is the eligibility criteria.

Citizenship by registration is a process by which an individual becomes a British citizen by registering with the UK government. This process is available to individuals who are not automatically eligible for British citizenship, such as those born outside the UK to a British parent or individuals married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. Citizenship by registration generally has less strict requirements than naturalization. Citizenship by registration has different eligibility requirements, which will have to be met before someone can apply.

Naturalization is the process by which a non-British citizen becomes a British citizen. In order to become naturalized, an individual must have been legally living in the UK for a certain period of time (usually five years), pass a Life in the UK test, meet a specified English language level, and meet other criteria such as good character requirements.

So, the key differences between citizenship by registration and naturalization are the eligibility requirements and the fact that naturalization requires an individual to have lived in the UK for a certain period of time.

How to apply for British citizenship by registration?

The general steps to apply for British citizenship by registration are as follows:

• Check if you are eligible for British citizenship by registration. If you need help with eligibility assessment, please contact our UK nationality solicitor on 020 3417 3700.
• Gather all the supporting documents depending on the type of application and your circumstances. Birth certificates, marriage or civil partnership certificates, proof of residence, and proof of English language proficiency are a few examples.
• You must complete the correct application form. You can apply online or by post by downloading the form from the UK government website.
• Pay the correct application fee. You can pay the fee online or by a postal order or bank draft.
• You need to book & attend your biometric appointment at the visa application centre.
• Home Office will review your British citizenship application and decide within 3-6 months.

It is essential to fill out the application form correctly and submit all the required documents to avoid delays or rejection of the application.

British citizenship application processing time

Once you have submitted your British citizenship application and attended your biometrics appointment, you should get a decision within 3-6 months. However, it may take longer depending on the complexity of the matter.