Eligibility quiz
Did either of your parents become a British citizen after you were born and before your 18th birthday?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
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 required documents for your child’s application.
See required documentsFill in the application
Create an account and fill in the online MN1 application for your child, including the details it asks for about your child and their parents.
Start the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online application to register a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Submit your application
Pay the fee through the online application and submit it before your child turns 18. Keep the confirmation; you can also apply by post instead.
Submit the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online application to register a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Book an appointment
Follow the instructions sent after submission and, if directed to UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services, book an appointment for your child.
Book the appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment to register a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Go to the appointment
If an appointment is required, take your child to provide their fingerprints and photo as instructed; a child under 16 must attend with a parent or legal guardian, and a child under 5 normally provides a photo only. Upload the supporting documents online or have them scanned at the appointment.
Prepare for the appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment to register a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Home Office to decide your child’s application, and answer any requests for more information or documents.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does it take to register a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Get the registration certificate
If your child is approved, follow the instructions to get their registration certificate and attend a citizenship ceremony if instructed. Your child can then apply for a British passport.
Get the certificateSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a registration certificate after registering a child as a British citizen in the United Kingdom?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your full United Kingdom birth certificate showing your place of birth and both parents’ details. You can get a replacement from the office that issued it.
Marriage certificates *
Provide your parents’ marriage or civil partnership certificate. You can get a replacement from the office that issued it.
* Only if your parents married or entered a civil partnership.
May need translationParent's settlement record *
Provide evidence that your parent became settled in the United Kingdom, such as an indefinite leave to remain stamp, a Home Office letter, a no-time-limit stamp or a biometric residence permit confirming indefinite leave to remain. You can also provide the reference number confirming settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or evidence of a qualifying permanent right to reside under the Withdrawal Agreement.
* Only if you apply through your parent becoming settled after you were born.
May need translationParent's citizenship records *
Provide your British parent’s British passport, naturalisation certificate or registration certificate. You can get a replacement certificate from the office that issued it.
* Only if you apply through your parent becoming British after you were born.
May need translationConsiderations
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
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated