British Citizenship by Descent

Individuals born outside the UK or a British Overseas Territory may be eligible for British citizenship by descent if at least one of their parents is a British citizen by birth or by naturalization (but not through descent themselves).

British citizenship grants individuals the right to live and work in the United Kingdom indefinitely. Before starting your British citizenship application, it's important to understand the requirements set by the UK government for obtaining British citizenship. Meeting these criteria is key to a successful application.

If you are considering applying for British citizenship by descent, our team of immigration solicitors will tailor our services to your specific needs. We offer personalised consultations to assess your eligibility, review your documents, and provide thorough guidance on the UK citizenship application process.

Table of Contents

What is British citizenship by descent?

British Citizenship by Descent is a form of British nationality that is acquired by individuals born outside the United Kingdom or a British Overseas Territory to a parent who is a British citizen otherwise than by descent. In simpler terms, it means that an individual inherits British citizenship from their British citizen parent.

Who can automatically acquire British citizenship by descent?

British citizenship is normally automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK. A person born outside the UK to a British parent may be eligible to apply for British citizenship by descent. It depends on where and when you were born, and your parents' circumstances.

You were born on or after 1 July 2006

You're automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:

• you were born on or after 1 July 2006
• your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
• your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

You were born between 1983 and June 2006

You're automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:

• you were born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006
• your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born (they must have been married if your father had British citizenship but your mother did not)
• your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

You were born before 1983

You may automatically be a British citizen if you were born before 1 January 1983 and:

• you were born outside the UK
• your father is British 

When you were born, your father must have been all of the following:

• a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies
• married to your mother
• able to pass on his citizenship to you

How to apply for British citizenship by descent?

British citizenship processing time

The processing time for a British nationality application can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of your case and the current workload of the Home Office.

On average, it takes around 6 months to receive a decision on your British citizenship application. However, please note that this time frame is an estimate and the actual processing time may be longer or shorter.

How can we help with British citizenship applications?

Immigration solicitors play a crucial role in assisting individuals with their British citizenship applications by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and representation throughout the application process. Here's how immigration solicitors can help:

• Initial Consultation: Our immigration solicitors offer an initial consultation where we assess the individual's circumstances and eligibility. During this consultation, we provide an overview of the British citizenship application process, requirements, and potential challenges.
• Document Preparation: Our immigration solicitors guide applicants through the preparation of required documents, ensuring they are accurate, complete, and compliant with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.
• Application Form Completion: Our solicitors will fill in the British citizenship application form(s) accurately and thoroughly to avoid any delays or rejection. We provide guidance on answering questions in the application form, providing necessary information, and disclosing any relevant details required by the UKVI.
• Application Submission: We will compile and organise your British citizenship application package and submit your application to the UKVI or relevant immigration authorities. We ensure that all required documents are included, application fees are paid, and submission deadlines are met.
• Communication with Authorities: Our immigration solicitors act as intermediaries between the applicant and the UKVI, representing the applicant's interests and communicating with immigration authorities on their behalf. We handle any correspondence, requests for additional information, or enquiries from the UKVI throughout the application process.
• Follow-Up and Monitoring: We monitor the progress of the British citizenship application and provide updates to the applicant as needed. We follow up with immigration authorities to expedite the processing of the application and address any issues or concerns that may arise during the assessment period.

Contact UK immigration solicitors today

If you require expert legal advice or assistance with any type of British citizenship application, don't hesitate to contact us today. Our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors is here to guide you every step of the way.

To schedule a consultation with our UK immigration law solicitors in London, please call us on 0208 616 5535 or contact us through our online contact form.