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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 onlineApplying online
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents needed for your British citizenship application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create an account and fill in the British citizenship registration form for your circumstances: UKM, UKF or ARD. If the applicant is a child, a parent or guardian normally completes the form for them.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I apply online for British citizenship registration using form UKM, UKF or ARD?”
Submit your application
Provide your supporting documents, pay any required fee online and submit the form. A paper application is also possible where the form permits it.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online application for British citizenship registration using form UKM, UKF or ARD?”
Book your biometric appointment
When the Home Office instructs you to give fingerprints and a photograph, follow its instructions to book an appointment. A parent or guardian should arrange the appointment for a child.
Book your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a biometric appointment for British citizenship registration?”
Go to your appointment
Attend the appointment to give your fingerprints and have your photograph taken. A parent or guardian should take the child if the child is the applicant.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a biometric appointment for British citizenship registration?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Home Office to decide and respond to any requests for more information. Keep your application reference if you need to ask for an update.
Ask for an updateSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get an update on my British citizenship registration application?”
Receive your citizenship certificate
If you are approved and are 18 or over, attend your citizenship ceremony when instructed and receive your certificate. Once registration is complete, you can apply for a British passport.
Arrange your ceremonySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend a British citizenship ceremony and receive my registration certificate?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Provide your full birth certificate and your British parent's full birth certificate. If your parent's status depends on earlier family history, provide the birth records linking each generation; if you were adopted, add the adoption papers.
Proof of paternity *
Provide a court order, DNA evidence from a company on the government-accredited list, or other evidence proving your relationship. If you were born before 10 September 2015, your full birth certificate can be accepted as proof if it names your father and was issued within 12 months of your birth.
* Only if you rely on your British father and need more evidence of your relationship.
May need translationParent's citizenship records *
Provide evidence of your parent's status when you were born. Depending on their history, this could be their British passport, naturalisation or registration certificate, full birth certificate, or evidence of their earlier British nationality or British subject status.
* Only if your application depends on your parent's British citizenship or another qualifying British status.
May need translationParent's settled status *
Provide evidence that your parent was settled in the United Kingdom when you were born. Follow the evidence instructions for your application.
* Only if your application depends on your parent being settled in the United Kingdom when 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
Dual British/Italian citizenship society
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and local life
Request to joinUK 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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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