British Citizenship by Birth
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British Citizenship by Birth
Automatic Citizenship at Birth
- A child born in the UK does not automatically receive British citizenship unless at least one parent meets certain conditions. The rules depend on:
1. Born in UK to British/Settled Parents (After 1983)
- ✅ Automatic citizenship if either parent was:
- A British citizen at the time of birth or
- Settled in the UK (held ILR/Indefinite Leave to Remain)
2. Born in UK to Non-British Parents (After 1983)
- ❌ Not automatically British unless:
- A parent later becomes British/settled and the child is under 18
- The child lives in the UK until age 10 (may then register)
3. Born Before 1983
- ✅ Automatic citizenship if:
- Born to a British father (if parents married) or
- Born to a British mother (even if unmarried)
Special Cases
Children Born in UK to EU/EEA Parents
- May qualify if parent had Pre-Settled/Settled Status at birth
- If parent later gets Settled Status, child can register
Stateless Children Born in UK
- May register as British if:
- Not a citizen of any country and
- Lived in UK for first 5 years
How to Prove Citizenship
- If automatically British, you can:
- Apply directly for a British passport
- Request a certificate of entitlement (if evidence is unclear)
Required documents:
- Full UK birth certificate
- Parents' passports/ILR documents
- Parents' marriage certificate (if born before 1983)
When Registration is Needed
- Some children must apply to register, including:
- Those born to non-British parents who later settle
- Children who live in UK until age 10
- Stateless children born in UK
Passing Citizenship to Your Children
- If you gained citizenship by birth in UK, your children born abroad may not automatically be British
- They may qualify if:
- You lived in UK for 3+ years before their birth
- They are registered before age 18
Common Issues
- ❌ Parents' status not properly documented
- ❌ Confusion over pre-1983 vs post-1983 rules
- ❌ Missing registration deadlines for children
At Nationwide Lawyers, our experienced immigration specialists are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re applying for a visa, facing a legal challenge, or need guidance tailored to your unique situation, we’re just a call or click away.
