Eligibility quiz
Was one of your parents a British citizen when you were born?
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 from inside UKApplying from inside UK
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your British passport application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
If you qualify through one of these routes, you are already a British citizen; you can apply online for your first British passport. If you are applying for a child, complete the application for your child.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a first British passport online from the United Kingdom?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the passport fee through the online service.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a first British passport online from the United Kingdom?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed passport application through the online service.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply for a first British passport online from the United Kingdom?”
Complete the identity step
Follow the service’s instructions to confirm your identity, including providing a digital photo. If you are applying for a child, follow the instructions for confirming your child’s identity.
Find identity instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I confirm my identity for a first British passport application in the United Kingdom?”
Send your documents
Upload or send the documents as the passport service directs. Keep your original documents unless the service asks you to send them.
Find document instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I send documents for a first British passport application in the United Kingdom?”
Attend an appointment
If the passport service asks you to attend an appointment or interview, go where it directs you. If the application is for a child, follow the service’s instructions about who must attend.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend an interview for a first British passport application in the United Kingdom?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the passport service to decide your application. Answer any questions or requests for more documents.
See how longSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a first British passport application take in the United Kingdom?”
Receive your passport
Receive your passport and any documents being returned to you. You can then use your passport to travel as a British citizen.
Find delivery informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How will I receive my first British passport and returned documents in the United Kingdom?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
For a claim through birth, provide your full UK birth certificate showing your parents’ names. If you use your British parent’s birth certificate to show their citizenship, provide that too; it must be a full certificate if they were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983. If you were adopted, provide your adoption order or certificate instead, or your Convention adoption certificate if applicable.
Name change records *
Provide evidence of each name change needed to connect your birth, parent and passport records. This can include records of your own or a relative’s name change.
* Only if names differ across the records you provide.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParents’ marriage certificate *
Provide your parents’ marriage certificate as evidence of their marriage. The passport service may ask for evidence of their marriage for a claim through your father if you were born before 1 July 2006.
* Only if you claim through your father and the passport service asks for evidence that your parents were married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationEvidence of parentage *
Provide the evidence the passport service asks for to show that the man you are claiming through is your parent. This may be needed for a claim through your father if you were born on or after 1 July 2006.
* Only if you claim through your father and the passport service asks for evidence that he is your parent.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent’s citizenship records *
Show that your British parent was British when you were born, or that your British adopter was British when your adoption took effect. Evidence can include their British passport or passport number if official records can confirm their identity and status, or their British naturalisation or registration certificate issued before your birth. You can also use their UK birth certificate; their birth certificate issued abroad or by British forces with evidence of British citizenship through a parent; or their adoption certificate if it confirms British citizenship, with evidence that their British adoptive parent was British when the adoption took place. For a parent born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, also provide evidence that your grandparent was British or settled in the UK when your parent was born.
* Only if you are proving citizenship through a British parent or adopter.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationAdopter’s residence record *
Provide evidence showing where your adopter normally lived when the adoption took effect. For a joint adoption, provide evidence for both adopters.
* Only if you are proving citizenship through a Convention adoption.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent’s immigration record *
Provide the official immigration-status or residence evidence available for your parent showing they were settled in the UK when you were born. If you use your grandparent’s settled status to show your parent was British, provide evidence that your grandparent was settled when your parent was born. The passport service will tell you what evidence it needs.
* Only if you are proving citizenship through a parent who was settled in the UK, or using a grandparent’s settled status to show your parent was British.
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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