Many individuals aspire to obtain British citizenship, as it offers a range of benefits, including the right to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions.

If you were born in the UK to non-British parents or are a foreign national with children born in the UK, you may wonder if you or your children are eligible to claim UK citizenship by birth. However, being born in the UK does not automatically grant a person British citizenship. Whether a foreign child can claim citizenship by birth will depend on the parent’s immigration status.

Here’s a guide on the UK’s citizenship rules for children born in the UK.

Understanding the UK’s Birthright and Citizenship Rules

Prior to 1983, any child born in the United Kingdom was automatically a British citizen, irrespective of their parents’ nationality. The exception to this rule was if the child’s father was a diplomat working for a foreign country or was regarded as an enemy alien at the time of birth.

However, British birthright and citizenship rules have evolved over the years. In line with the British Nationality Act 1981, children born in the UK on or after January 1, 1983, are automatically citizens if one of their parents was a British citizen, Irish citizen, or settled person at the time of the child’s birth.

Individuals eligible to automatically claim UK citizenship by birth do not need to apply for citizenship. They are only required to apply for a UK passport or request a letter from the Home Office to confirm their citizenship status.

Who is Eligible to Apply for UK Citizenship by Birth?

Individuals who are not automatically recognised as British citizens, such as those who didn’t have a British or settled parent at the time of their birth, may be able to apply to register for UK citizenship.

To be eligible, they must have been born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 and be either one of the following:

A person under 18 and who, since their birth, one of their parents became a British citizen or got permission to stay in the UK permanently
A person who lived in the UK until they were 10 years or older

Children applying as persons who lived in the UK until they were ten or older must not have spent more than 90 days outside the country in each of the first ten years of their lives. If they had exceptional circumstances that required them to be outside the UK, they must explain this in their application forms.

Requirements to Register for UK Citizenship by Birth

Eligible individuals for the British citizenship application by birth must meet specific criteria to have a successful application. These include the following:

Good Character Requirement

Every applicant for British citizenship aged 10 years or older must meet the good character requirement. Being of good character means that an applicant has observed UK laws and shown respect for the rights and freedoms of British citizens.

When reviewing citizenship applications, the UK Home Office will consider certain factors to judge that an applicant is of good character. These factors include whether an applicant:

Has received a criminal conviction, both within the UK and overseas.
Has been declared bankrupt at any time
Is a persistent offender
Has been involved in international crimes or acts of terrorism.

Referee Requirement

Applicants must also provide two referees who will endorse their citizenship application. The referees must:

Have been acquainted with the applicant for a minimum of three years.
Not be related to the applicant or to each other
Not be their legal representative
Not be a Home Office employee
Not have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment within the past 10 years.

Generally, one referee must be a professional person, such as a civil servant, minister of religion, or member of a professional body and can be of any nationality. The other referee must be a British citizen and either a professional or over 25 years old.

However, for child applicants, one of the referees should be someone who has dealt with the child professionally, for instance, a doctor, teacher, or social worker. If a child cannot meet this requirement, they must prove that they attempted to do so and provide two referees who meet the general criteria.

Documentation Requirement

Children under 18 who, since their birth, their parents became citizens or settled residents must submit the following documents:

Evidence of identity with a passport or birth certificate showing the parent’s name.
The child’s passport of entry to the UK and any subsequent passports
The parents’ marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate

Children who have lived in the UK for at least the first 10 years of their lives must provide the following documents:

The child’s UK birth certificate showing their parents’ details.
Proof that the parent and child resided in the UK for the first 10 years of the child’s life, with the following documents:
- Parent’s tax or self-assessment statement of account.
- The child’s or parent’s passport covers the 10-year period. If the child’s passport doesn’t show residence in the UK for 10 years, they can provide letters from the schools they attended or medical records.

How to Apply for Citizenship by Birth

A parent or legal guardian must submit an online application for British citizenship on behalf of a child. They must complete either Form MN1 for children under 18 or Form T for children who lived in the UK for the first ten years of their lives.

Applicants must pay the citizenship application fee before submitting their application. Afterwards, they must book an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric data (photo and fingerprints). They may either upload all supporting documents online or scan them at the UKVCAS appointment.

The Cost and Processing Time of UK Citizenship by Birth Application

The fees for British citizenship by birth registration is £1,214. Applicants who turn 18 during the application process must pay £130 for their citizenship ceremony. Furthermore, UK citizenship applications typically take 6 months to process.

The Citizenship Ceremony

Children who turn 18 by the time their application is decided will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony within 90 days of receiving their approval. At the ceremony, they will swear an oath of allegiance to the King and pledge their loyalty to the UK. Then, they will receive a certificate of registration as British citizens.

Minors who do not have to attend the ceremony will receive their certificate of registration through their parent or legal guardian.

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