British citizenship by birth is not always automatic. Individuals may be eligible to apply to register as a British citizen by birth depending on when they were born and on their parents’ circumstances. In this guide we will look at the requirements and information related to British citizenship by birth.
Understanding British Citizenship by Birth
In most circumstances, you are automatically a British citizen if you were both born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 and born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK. In other circumstances, if you were born in the UK on or after 1st January 1983, you may be eligible for British citizenship if you meet either of the following requirements:
- You’re under 18 and since your birth one of your parents became a British citizen, or got permission to stay in the UK permanently
- You lived in the UK until you were 10 or older
Important Information
You are automatically a British citizen if you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983, unless your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country or if you were born in the Channel Islands during World War 2. To apply for British Citizenship by birth, you can complete the online application form which costs £1,012 to apply if you’re under 18 and £1,206 to apply if you’re over 18. If you turn 18 during the application process, you’ll need to pay £80 for your citizenship ceremony.
Conclusion
British citizenship by birth can give you a sense of belonging here in the UK. British citizenship by birth may be a difficult process to understand, however, with the help of our experienced team, it can make the process a lot easier for you. If you are a parent of a newborn or curious about whether you meet the requirements of British Citizenship by birth, we are here to help. Feel free to reach out if you require any additional information or assistance.
