Registration of a Child as a British Citizen

You can register a child as a British Citizen by entitlement or discretion. Becoming a British citizen is a significant life event. Apart from allowing children to apply for British passports, British citizenship allows them to participate more fully in the life of their local community as they grow up. Children who have automatically acquired British citizenship do not need to be registered and can instead apply for a British passport.

Free Immigration Advice For Registering Your Child as a British Citizen

Our specialist team of nationality law solicitors can provide one-off free immigration advice online in relation to your child's application for registration as a British Citizen. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your child's application for registration as a British Citizen.

Applications to Register a Child as a British Citizen

Following are the various applications for the registration of children as British Citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981: 

• Register a Child Born in the UK as a British Citizen after Parent's ILR/Citizenship
• Registering a Child at Discretion of the Secretary of State - Section 3(1) Applications
• Registering a Child as a British Citizen after 10 Years of Birth in the UK - Form T Application  
• Registering a Child Born in the UK after Parent Joining HM Forces - Section 1(3A) Application
• Registering a Child Born Abroad to a Member of HM Forces
• Registering a Child as a British Citizen after Birth Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent
• Registration of a Child Born Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent after 3 Years Residence in the UK
• Registering a Stateless Child as a British Citizen

Legal Framework for Registering a Child as a British Citizen

The British Nationality Act 1981 contains provisions for children to be registered as British citizens. Various provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981 under which a child can be registered as a British Citizen are as follows:

• sections 1(3), 1(3A) and 1(4) provide registration by entitlement of people born in the UK after 1 January 1983
• section 1(4) provides an entitlement provision for either a child or an adult
• sections 3(2) and 3(5) provide registration by entitlement of minors born outside the UK and qualifying territories to British citizens by descent
• section 3(1) provides a discretionary provision for registration as a minor

MN1 Application for Registering a Child as a British Citizen

Using the MN1 application form, you can apply for registration of your child under the age of 18 as a British Citizen under one of the relevant sections of the British Nationality Act 1981. Most applications for registration of children as British Citizens are made using application form MN1. You can use the MN1 form to register your child both from inside the UK and outside the UK. Children who are under the age of 18 years (minors) can make the following applications to the Home Office for registration as British citizens using MN1 Application under various sections of the British Nationality Act 1981. Children must be under 18 years old when the application is made. Once they reach the age of 18, they must apply for British citizenship as adults, either by registration if they have an entitlement or by naturalisation. The date of application is the date the Home Office receives it. If the child is aged 10 or over, they must be of good character.

• Register a Child Born in the UK as a British Citizen after Parent's ILR/Citizenship
• Registering a Child at Discretion of the Secretary of State - Section 3(1) Applications
• Registering a Child as a British Citizen after Birth Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent
• Registration of a Child Born Abroad to a British Citizen By Descent after 3 Years Residence in the UK

How Can We Help?

Our expert team of nationality law solicitors in London and Birmingham can represent you in your application for registration as a British Citizen and carry out all the work on your British Citizenship application until a decision on your application is received from the Home Office UKVI. As part of our professional legal services in relation to your application for registration as a British Citizen, our specialist team of immigration solicitors will carry out the following immigration casework:

• We will assess your eligibility for registration as a British Citizen by considering all the relevant information, including your past immigration history;
• We will advise  you on the chances of success in your application for registration as a British Citizen and will draw your attention to any weaknesses in your application;
• We will advise you on the list of documents to be submitted in support of your application for registration as a British Citizen;
• We will assess all the supporting documents to ensure that the documents you provide duly satisfy the Home Office UKVI requirements for registration as a British Citizen;
• We will complete the relevant application form online for your registration as a British citizen, submit the same online, help you pay the Home Office UKVI fee for the application and schedule your appointment with the application centre for enrolment of your biometrics;
• We will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the application explaining in detail your eligibility for registration as a British Citizen by referring to all the relevant information, documents, laws and requirements;
• We will upload all the supporting documents online to be considered in support of the application, including our cover letter prepared to support your application;
• We will carry out all the work on your application for registration as a British Citizen until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI on your application.

Our Fixed Fees For Registering A Child As A British Citizen