British Citizenship by Descent

You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if you were born outside the UK and your parent or grandparent is classified as British otherwise than by descent.

Once you obtain UK nationality, 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 Descent?
2. Who is eligible to become a British citizen by descent?
3. How to apply for British citizenship by descent?
4. British citizenship application processing time
5. How can we help with your British citizenship application?

What is British citizenship by Descent?

British citizenship by descent is a way for individuals born outside of the UK to acquire British citizenship if they have a parent or grandparent who is a British citizen. The eligibility criteria depend on the specific circumstances of the individual's parent or grandparent, as well as the laws in place at the time of their birth.

Who is eligible to become a British citizen by descent?

Generally, a person born outside of the UK may be eligible for British citizenship by descent if one of the following applies:

• They were born to a parent who is a British citizen otherwise than by descent (i.e., they were born in the UK, or they acquired British citizenship through naturalization or registration rather than through a parent);
• They were born to a British mother before January 1, 1983;
• They were born to a British father before July 1, 2006, and their parents were married at the time of their birth;
• They were born to a British father between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2018, and their parents were either married or in a civil partnership at the time of their birth; or
• They were born to a British parent after June 30, 2018, regardless of the parents' marital status.

British citizenship by descent can be a complex matter and the requirements can vary depending on a variety of factors. It is advisable to get legal advice from an experienced UK nationality solicitor.

How to apply for British citizenship by descent?

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

Check if you are eligible

To be eligible for British citizenship by descent, at least one of your parents must have been a British citizen when you were born, or have become a British citizen by naturalisation or registration before your birth. You must also meet other eligibility criteria such as being of good character and not having any serious criminal convictions.

Gather supporting documents

You will need to provide supporting documents to prove your eligibility, such as your birth certificate, your parent's birth certificate or passport, and any marriage certificates if applicable. You may also need to provide evidence of your current nationality and residence status.

Fill out the application form

You can apply for British citizenship by descent online using the UK government's application service. The application form will ask you to provide personal details, information about your parents, and details of any previous nationality or residence status.

Pay the application fee

The fee for applying for British citizenship by descent varies depending on the type of application and where you are applying from. You can find information about the current fees on the UK government's website.

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.