Eligibility quiz
Was one of your adoptive parents a British citizen when you were adopted?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
British passport
British citizens can apply for a British passport and normally use it to return to the UK.
British citizens travelling to the UK must carry a valid British passport or a certificate showing their right to live there.
A passport can expire and must be renewed, even though citizenship does not expire.
Live in the UK for life
British citizens have the right to live in the UK indefinitely and enter without a visa or travel permission.
Moving abroad does not by itself end citizenship.
Live and work in 5 countries
Study in the UK
British citizens can study in the UK without immigration restrictions.
Admission, fees and funding follow the usual education rules.
Work in the UK
British citizens can work in the UK without a work permit or immigration conditions.
Get help abroad
British citizens can receive help from UK officials abroad, even if they do not normally live in the UK.
If you are in a country of your other citizenship, the UK would not normally intervene in your dealings with its authorities.
Vote in elections
British citizens can register to vote, with rules depending on their age, residence and the election.
In a UK general election, voters must be 18, registered, not legally barred and either live in the UK or be registered to vote from abroad.
British citizens who previously lived in the UK can register from abroad.
Use public healthcare
British citizens can use NHS services, but citizenship alone does not make every treatment free.
Rules differ across the UK, and many services depend on where you normally live.
People who live permanently abroad may not keep free UK treatment.
Claim financial support
British citizens can claim benefits without immigration restrictions, but each benefit has its own residence, income, contribution and other rules.
Many income-related benefits cannot be claimed abroad for more than four weeks.
How to apply
Applying in the UKApplying in the UK
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your child’s application.
See required documentsFill in online
Start the online MN1 application for your child, create an account and choose the adoption option. Fill in the form and pay the application fee online; you may be able to request a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
Start the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for UK British citizenship for an adopted child using form MN1?”
Submit your application
Submit your child’s application online before they turn 18. You can also apply by post using the paper MN1 form.
Submit the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for UK British citizenship for an adopted child using form MN1?”
Book an appointment
If the online service tells you an appointment is needed, create or use your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services account and book one for your child. Upload the supporting documents there or choose to have them scanned at the appointment.
Book the appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment for a child’s British citizenship application?”
Attend the appointment
Take your child to the service point shown in the booking, with the appointment confirmation, their passport or travel document and any documents not already uploaded. A child under 16 must attend with the responsible adult named in the application, who must bring photo ID.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment for a child’s British citizenship application?”
Give your biometrics
Your child must give their photo and, if aged 5 or over, fingerprints as instructed. A child under 16 must be accompanied by the responsible adult named in the application.
Find biometric instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a child give biometrics for a UK British citizenship application?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Home Office to decide your child’s application and respond if it asks you for more information or documents.
See waiting informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a UK British citizenship application for an adopted child take?”
Receive the certificate
If your child is approved, follow the Home Office instructions to receive their citizenship certificate and attend a ceremony if required. Your child can then apply for a British passport.
Find certificate instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive a UK British citizenship certificate for my child after registration?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption documents
Get your full United Kingdom adoption certificate, British Overseas Territory adoption certificate, or Article 23 Hague Convention adoption certificate, as applicable; the Hague certificate must show that Article 17 was followed. For registration, provide your adoption order or certificate and evidence that the adoption followed the laws that applied where you were adopted, where you came from and where your adoptive parents lived, and that it was not arranged to secure your admission to the United Kingdom. If you do not meet the usual registration requirements, include an explanation of why registration is in your best interests.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide evidence that at least one adoptive parent was British when you were adopted; a British passport or passport number may be accepted if the Home Office can confirm their citizenship. Other evidence can include your British parent's United Kingdom naturalisation or registration certificate issued before your adoption, or their birth or adoption certificate with evidence of your British grandparent's citizenship or United Kingdom settlement where needed. If your parent was born outside the United Kingdom or to the British forces, provide their birth certificate and evidence of their British citizenship through their parent; if your parent was adopted, provide their adoption certificate and evidence of their adoptive parent's citizenship at the time.
Name change records *
Provide records linking the names on your documents to the names on your application. These may concern you, your adoptive parent or your grandparent.
* Only if a name has changed between the documents.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent's residence record *
Provide evidence that your adoptive parent normally lived in the United Kingdom or a British Overseas Territory when you were adopted. If two parents adopted you jointly, provide evidence for both.
* Only if your adoption was a Hague Convention adoption outside the United Kingdom.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Overseas voter registration
To keep voting from abroad, British citizens must renew their voter registration every three years.
Citizenship can be lost
An adult of sound mind can give up citizenship with another nationality or a promise of one.
If the promised nationality is not gained within six months, British citizenship is kept.
The government can take citizenship away for fraud, lies or hiding important facts, or for the public good if it leaves you with a nationality.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
UK Visas and Immigration 🇬🇧
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and visas
Join on FacebookPassport Waiting Time (UK)
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship
Join on FacebookUK Entry Clearance To British Naturalisation/ Citizenship
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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