There are several scenarios in which a person can be registered as a British Citizen, which are briefly discussed below:

If you have another type of British Nationality

If you are a British National who qualifies for British Citizenship, you can apply to register. Circumstances in which you might be eligible include:

• Certain types of British Nationals with no other nationality. You cannot apply this way if you are a citizen or national of another country, or a British Overseas Territories citizen.
• You havelived in the UK for 5 years on a lawful basis.
• You haveworked as a Crown servant (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces).
• You have aconnection with Gibraltar, for example you, your parents, or your grandparents were born, registered or naturalised there.
• You have lived inHong Kong and were either a British national on 3 February 1997 or become a British national after 3 February 1997, and you have not held the citizenship or nationality of another country at the time or since.

Born before 1983 to a British mother

Due to historic gender discrimination in British Nationality Law, women could not pass on their citizenship to their children born outside the UK. After the enactment of the British Nationality Act 1981 (which came into force in 1983), women could pass their citizenship onto their children born outside the UK, but this law did not apply retrospectively. To remedy this historical gender discrimination, persons born outside the UK to British mothers before 1 January 1983 now have the option of applying for British Citizenship by Registration. This includes, in some scenarios, when the mother was herself a Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent.

Born before 1 July 2006 to a British father who was not married to your mother

Before 1 July 2006, unmarried fathers were not recognised as a parent under the British Nationality Act 1981. Children born before 1 July 2006 to unmarried British fathers can now apply for registration as a British citizen under sections 4G – 4I of the British Nationality Act 1981. They will normally qualify if they would have become British citizens automatically under that Act had their parents been married.

Children under the age of 18

Children cannot acquire British Citizenship by naturalisation until they turn 18 years of age, so parents and guardians have the option of registering them as British Citizens instead. There are several ways in which children can be registered. These rules can be complex so we recommend seeking advice if you are unclear what type of application should be made.

Persons of any age who were born in the UK and did not acquire British Citizenship at birth

The UK abolished the right of “jus soli”, i.e., birth right citizenship when the British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983. A person’s British nationality is therefore dependant on their parents’ circumstances when they are born. You may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by registration if you were born in the UK and you did not acquire it automatically.