You may be able to apply for British citizenship by descent if you were born outside the UK and your parent is classified as British otherwise than by descent.
It depends on where & when you were born, and your parents' circumstances. British citizenship is normally automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK.
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 descent.
Related Topics
- What is British citizenship by Descent?
- Who can automatically acquire British citizenship by descent?
- How to apply for British citizenship by descent?
- 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 Descent?
British citizenship by Descent is a way of acquiring British citizenship through a parent or grandparent who is a British citizen. This means that you can become a British citizen even if you were not born in the UK or have never lived there, as long as you have a parent or grandparent who is a British citizen.
The rules for British citizenship by Descent vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as the date and place of your birth and the citizenship status of your parents or grandparents. In general, you may be eligible for British citizenship by Descent if:
- You were born outside the UK to a British parent who was also born outside the UK, and that parent acquired their British citizenship by descent from a parent who was born in the UK.
- You were born outside the UK to a British parent who was born in the UK and acquired their citizenship otherwise than by descent, such as through birth in the UK, adoption, or registration.
- You were born outside the UK to a parent who became a British citizen or settled in the UK after you were born, and you were not a British citizen at birth.
It's important to note that there are various requirements and conditions that apply to each of these situations, and the rules for British citizenship by Descent can be complex. If you think you may be eligible for British citizenship by Descent, you should seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer to understand the eligibility requirements and application process.
Who can automatically acquire British citizenship by descent?
A person born outside the UK to a British parent may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by descent. It depends on where and when you were born, and your parents' circumstances.
You were born on or after 1 July 2006
You're automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:
- you were born on or after 1 July 2006
- your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
- your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you
You were born between 1983 and June 2006
You're automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:
- you were born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006
- your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born (they must have been married if your father had British citizenship but your mother did not)
- your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you
Your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you if they were one of the following:
- born or adopted in the UK
- given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)
- working as a Crown servant when you were born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)
You were born before 1983
You may automatically be a British citizen if you were born before 1 January 1983 and:
- you were born outside the UK
- your father is British
When you were born, your father must have been all of the following:
- a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies
- married to your mother
- able to pass on his citizenship to you
Your father could pass on his citizenship to you if he was one of the following:
- born or adopted in the UK
- given citizenship after applying for it in his own right (not based on having a British parent)
- working as a Crown servant when you were born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)
How to apply for British citizenship by descent?
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 make British citizenship by descent application online.
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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