Register a Child as a British Citizen (Under 18)

You can apply to register your under 18 child as a British citizen if the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements as per British Nationality Act 1981.

If the application is successful, the child will be granted British citizenship and will have the same rights and privileges as any other British citizen.

If you need legal advice or help with the registration of a child as a British citizen, our immigration and UK nationality solicitors can help you.

1. Register a Child as a British Citizen (Under 18)
2. Requirements to register a child as a British citizen
3. Eligibility criteria to register a child as a British citizen
4. Document checklist to register as a British citizen
5. How to apply to register a child as a British citizen
6. British citizenship application processing time
7. How can we help with your British citizenship application?

Requirements to register a child as a British citizen

To register a child as a British citizen, the following criteria must be met:

1. The child must be under 18 years of age.
2. The child must have been born in the UK, or born outside the UK to a parent who is a British citizen.
3. The child must not have been born in a British Overseas Territory or a Crown Dependency unless the parent originally acquired British citizenship by descent.
4. The child must meet the good character requirement if they are over the age of 10.

Applicants must meet all other eligibility requirements depending on their circumstances. Speak to our expert immigration solicitors for legal advice and eligibility assessment.

Eligibility criteria to register a child as a British citizen

Children who have not yet reached the age of majority (age 18) to become British citizens under the following sections of the British Nationality Act 1981.

• section 1(3) birth in the UK to parents who are now settled in the UK or have become British citizens
• section 1(3A) birth in the UK to parents who have joined the armed forces
• section 3(1) child whose parents are applying for British citizenship
• section 3(2) birth abroad to parents who are British by descent and have lived in the UK or a qualifying British overseas territory
• section 3(5) birth abroad to parents who are British by descent but are now living in the UK or a qualifying British overseas territory
• section 3(1) – registration at the Home Secretary’s discretion
• section 4D birth abroad to parents serving in the armed forces

Document checklist to register as a British citizen

To apply for registration as a British citizen, the following documents and information will be required:

1. The child's birth certificate.
2. The parent's British passport, or other evidence of British citizenship.
3. Evidence of the parent's status in the UK, such as a visa or residence permit.
4. Evidence of the parent's relationship to the child, such as a marriage certificate or a birth certificate that names both parents.
5. Evidence of the child's residency in the UK, such as school records or a council tax bill.

Above is a general list of supporting documents. You might need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

How to apply to register a child as a British citizen

To apply to register a child as a British citizen, follow these steps:

1. Check if your child is eligible to apply to become a British citizen.
2. Select the appropriate form to apply based on whether the child was born in the UK, or born outside the UK to a British citizen parent.
3. Fill out the application form and provide all the required information. Ensure that all the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.
4. Prepare all the supporting documents such as birth certificates, parent's passports, parent's immigration status, etc. and attach them to the application.
5. Pay the relevant fee. Currently, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen is £1,012.
6. Submit the application and supporting documents online or by post to the relevant address provided on the application form.
7. Wait for a response from the UK Home Office. The processing time for the application may vary depending on individual circumstances.

British citizenship application processing time

Home Office usually take 3-6 months to process a British citizenship application once you attend your biometrics appointment at the visa application centre. However, it may take longer depending on the complexity of the matter.