You may be eligible to apply for Registration as a British citizen (entitlement or discretionary) if you do not qualify for British citizenship automatically.
There are different ways of becoming a British citizen. Some people can 'register' as one. Registering as a British citizen is usually simpler than becoming naturalised, but you must be eligible.
We are experts in dealing with British citizenship applications and if instructed will carry out all the work on the application until the decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
Contact our British citizenship lawyer now on 0161 989 9370 to get legal advice about how to apply for British citizenship by registration.
Related Topics
- What is British citizenship by registration?
- How to apply for British citizenship by registration?
- UK citizenship processing time after biometrics
- How much does it cost to apply for British citizenship?
- Need help with the British citizenship application?
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is British citizenship by registration?
If you do not qualify for British citizenship automatically or are not entitled to registration, you may be eligible to apply for Registration as a British citizen on a discretionary basis if it is in the best interest of the child under section 3 (1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.
The chances of success are generally based on the evidence and assessment of the child’s circumstances in particular if the future of the child clearly lies in the UK and the UK by all means is the centre of the child’s life.
There are several ways to become British citizens through registration. The most common routes have been described below.
A person may be eligible for British citizenship if:
- A person born before 1983 to a British mother (Form UKM).
- A person born before 1 July 2006 whose parents were not married (Form UKF).
- 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 (Form UKF(M)).
- A person has certain other types of British nationality (Form B(OS)).
- Ordinarily resident in Hong Kong immediately before 4 February 1997 (Form EM).
- A stateless person.
How to apply for British citizenship by registration?
If you're not automatically a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply to 'register' as one. Registering as a British citizen is usually simpler than becoming a citizen by naturalisation if you are eligible. You can apply online or by post for British citizenship by registration.
Contact our UK immigration and nationality lawyer today to get legal advice about how to apply and the requirements of a British citizenship application.
UK citizenship processing time after biometrics
You should get a decision on your British citizenship application within 3-6 months. However, Some UK citizenship applications may take longer than 6 months depending on the complexity of the matter.
Time starts once you've applied for British citizenship and attended your biometric appointment.
How much does it cost to apply for British citizenship?
- £1,330 is the fee for British citizenship by Naturalisation application.
- £1,012 is the fee to register a child under 18 as a British citizen.
Here are some common other costs associated with applying for British citizenship:
- £19.20 Biometrics fee
- £50 Life in the UK test fee (unless you are exempt)
- £150 approx. English language test fee (unless you are exempt)
- Immigration lawyer fees (if using legal services to boost your chances of success & avoid mistakes)
The above is a general list of costs associated with British citizenship applications. There may be additional costs such translation fee depending on your circumstances.
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
Immigration lawyer fees
Our expert UK citizenship & nationality lawyer will guide you through every step of the British citizenship application process including advice about legal requirements and eligibility criteria.
At Rex Law Chambers, our UK nationality lawyer charges a fixed fee between £800-£1000 for our complete legal services in relation to your citizenship application. The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in the matter.
Need help with the British citizenship application?
If you need legal advice or help with your British citizenship application, our lawyer can provide legal assistance.
Our citizenship lawyer will assess your eligibility and personal circumstances to determine if you can apply for British citizenship and meet the requirements.
British citizenship lawyer at Rex Law Chambers will:
- advise you about eligibility criteria and the requirement;
- provide you with a comprehensive checklist of supporting documents;
- fill in and submit your British citizenship application;
- check all the supporting documents;
- upload all the supporting documents online in their correct format and order;
- schedule your biometrics appointments;
- prepare a cover letter or letter of representation to support your application.
- dealing and responding to any enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office;
- do all the follow-up work on your British citizenship application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
Contact our experienced UK citizenship & nationality lawyer on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form to get reliable & confidential legal advice and assistance with your British citizenship application.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Residency requirement, good character requirement, English language test and Life in the UK test are the 4 key requirements to apply for British citizenship.
You must meet all other eligibility requirements depending on your personal circumstances and type of British citizenship application.
You can become a British citizen after living at least 3 years in the UK as a spouse of a British citizen. You must meet all the eligibility requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981 to apply for UK citizenship through marriage.
Yes, the UK does allow dual citizenship with other countries which means you can be a British citizen and also a citizen of other countries at the same time.
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