Are you wondering if you can register your child as a British citizen? Then, this blog can help you learn if your child is already considered a British citizen and if they fulfill the criteria to become one.
Does Your Child Already Hold A British Citizenship?
It is important to see if the child is already a British citizen by birth prior to looking into the registration process for them. For example, a child who is born in the UK and whose parents have Indefinite Leave to Remain is automatically considered British. Similarly, if a child is born to a British parent (other than by descent) outside the UK, they are considered British by descent.
UK Child Citizenship Criteria
Child Born Within The UK: A child who is born in the UK and if either of the parents becomes a British citizen or subsequently receives Indefinite Leave to Remain can opt for British Citizenship under Section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981, provided that their age is below 18.
Child Born Away from the UK: A child who was born outside the UK and is now living in the country may go for British citizen registration if their parents are to apply for citizenship. This application would be discretionary, based on Section 3(1) under the British Nationality Act 1981.
Moreover, if the child is born outside the country to parents who have British citizenship by descent, they may be eligible if the parents have lived in the UK for at least 3 years with minimal absences prior to the child’s birth.
We know that UK immigration rules can be quite complicated, especially those around UK Child Citizenship. So it’s always best to seek expert legal advice to avoid any complications.
We hope you found this information helpful. Follow our blogs for the latest updates and informative content on UK immigration.
