British Citizen Registration – What are the rules?

Registration Of A Child As a British Citizen.

Children under 18 years (minors) can apply to the Home Office for registration as British citizens under the following sections of the British Nationality Act 1981. Once a child reaches the age of 18, they must apply to naturalise as adults.

  • ♔ Section 1 (3) birth in the UK to parents who 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 British overseas territory;
  • ♜ Section 3 (5) birth abroad to parents who are British by descent but are now living in the UK or a British foreign land;
  • ♛ Section 3 (1) children adopted elsewhere by British citizen parents;
  • ♚ Section 3 (1) children whose parents had renounced and subsequently resumed British citizenship;
  • ♙ Section 3 (1) any other case not listed below where it is considered to be in the child’s best interests a grant of British citizenship;
  • ♘ Section 4D birth abroad to parents serving in the armed forces.

Registration of the children of EEA nationals

Different rules apply depending on when children are born in the United Kingdom to EEA and Swiss nationals:

  • If a child born in the United Kingdom before 2/10/2000 to an EEA national parent will be a British citizen if the parent was exercising EC Treaty rights at the time of birth,
  • Suppose a child was born in the United Kingdom between 2/10/2000 and 30 April 2006 to an EEA national. Then, the parents will only be British citizens if they have permanent residence status in the UK at birth. This does not apply to EEA nationals with an unconditional right of residence. They are retired people or someone unable to work because of incapacity.
  • If a child born in the United Kingdom to an EEA national after 30 April 2006 will be a British citizen if their parent had been in the United Kingdom exercising EC Treaty rights by the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 for more than five years or has permanent residence status.

A possibility for a child of an EEA national

Under section 1(3), it is possible for a child of an EEA national who did not become a British citizen at birth to get British citizenship registration if the parent has since become “settled” here.

The meaning of the term “settled”:

  • Parent has been granted indefinite leave/permanent residence status in the United Kingdom, or
  • The parent has been exercising EEA free movement rights in the United Kingdom. It needs to continue for at least five years, ending on or after 30 April 2006.

The immigration lawyers at LawPark are experts in dealing with the application for registration as a British Citizen. You may need help from lawyers in London to prepare and submit your application for registration as a British Citizen. So, we are here to provide you with a friendly, reliable, efficient and professional immigration service.

We offer professional services for registration as a British Citizen.

Our team of professionals works with you and your application for registration as a British Citizen. So, you can expect to enjoy the following services:

  • Our immigration specialists will provide you with detailed instructions regarding immigration regulations. Besides, we inform you of the procedures required by the Home Office and the UKBA that are relevant to your case.
  • While identifying the benefits and drawbacks of your case, our immigration lawyers will answer any questions about it.
  • Our immigration lawyers will explain all documentation you must submit alongside your application for registration as a British Citizen.
  • Also, our immigration lawyers will examine these documents and discuss their relevance to your case.
  • Our team of immigration lawyers will complete the application forms and answer any questions that you may have.
  • If needed, our immigration lawyers will prepare a sponsorship declaration and explain the process.
  • Our lawyers will draft a cover letter supporting and submitting the application for registration as a British Citizen.
  • We will protect your interests during the entire process. We will keep you informed while the application is pending with the Home Office.
  • Our team of immigration lawyers will communicate with the UKBA and the Home Office to ensure a quick decision regarding your application for registration as a British Citizen.