Citizenship for Children: Registration Routes
What you need to know
- •Children born in the UK are not automatically British unless a parent was British or settled at the time of birth.
- •If a parent later becomes British or gets ILR, the child born in the UK can be registered as British.
- •Children born in the UK who have lived here for 10 years are entitled to registration.
- •The registration fee for children is £1,214. Fee waivers are available in some cases.
- •Children do not need to pass the Life in the UK test or meet the English language requirement.
Children can be registered as British citizens through several routes depending on where they were born and their parents' status. Registration costs £1,214 for children under 18. This guide covers the main routes, including children born in the UK to parents who later became settled, children born abroad to British parents, and children who have lived in the UK for 10 years.
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Automatic Citizenship at Birth
A child born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 is automatically British at birth if at least one parent was (as set out in the British Nationality Act 1981):
- A British citizen, or
- Settled in the UK (had ILR or was exempt from immigration control)
If neither parent was British or settled at the time of birth, the child is not automatically British, regardless of being born in the UK. This is a common misunderstanding. Being born in the UK does not, by itself, make a child British.
For children born outside the UK, automatic citizenship depends on whether the British parent is a citizen "otherwise than by descent". See our citizenship by descent guide for details.
Registration Route 1: Parent Becomes British or Settled (Section 1(3))
This is the most common registration route for children. If a child was born in the UK and at least one parent later becomes a British citizen or gains ILR, the child is entitled to be registered as British.
This is an entitlement, not a discretionary decision. If the conditions are met, the Home Office must grant registration.
Requirements:
- The child was born in the UK after 1 January 1983
- At least one parent has become a British citizen or obtained ILR since the child's birth
- The child is under 18 at the time of application (though adults can also apply under this provision)
Evidence needed:
- The child's UK birth certificate
- The parent's naturalisation certificate or evidence of ILR
- Evidence of the parent-child relationship (birth certificate showing the parent's name)
Registration Route 2: 10 Years Residence (Section 1(4))
A person born in the UK who has lived here for the first 10 continuous years of their life is entitled to be registered as British. This applies regardless of the parents' immigration status.
Requirements:
- Born in the UK
- Lived in the UK for the first 10 years of life
- Not absent from the UK for more than 90 days in any single year during those 10 years
This route is particularly important for children of families who remain on temporary visas or who have no settled status. It provides a path to citizenship based purely on the child's connection to the UK through long residence.
Evidence needed: birth certificate plus comprehensive evidence of 10 years of residence (school records, GP records, utility bills, etc.).
Registration Route 3: Children Born Abroad (Section 3)
For children born outside the UK, registration options include:
Section 3(2): Parent Is British by Descent and Lived in UK
If a parent is British by descent (the one-generation limit would normally stop them passing citizenship), they can register their child if they lived in the UK with the child for 3 continuous years before the child's 18th birthday. The child must not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days during those 3 years.
Section 3(5): Discretionary Registration
Parents can apply to the Home Secretary to register a child as British. This is discretionary, meaning the Home Secretary can grant or refuse it. It is used for cases that do not fit neatly into other provisions.
Children Born Abroad to British Citizens OTD
If a parent is a British citizen "otherwise than by descent" (born in the UK or naturalised), their child born abroad is automatically British by descent. No registration is needed, but you will need to apply for a passport.
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Registration Route 4: Historical Provisions
Several registration routes exist to correct historical injustices:
- Section 4C: For people who would have been British if the old law had not discriminated against British mothers. Their children may also benefit.
- Section 4G: For people born before July 2006 to unmarried British fathers.
- Stateless children: Children born in the UK who are stateless (do not hold any nationality) can be registered as British under Schedule 2 of the BNA 1981.
The Registration Process
- Identify the correct registration route and section of the BNA 1981.
- Complete the MN1 form (or the appropriate form for your route).
- Gather supporting documents.
- Pay the fee (£1,214 for children under 18).
- Submit the application.
- Wait for a decision (typically 6 months).
- If approved, the child receives a certificate of registration. Children do not attend a citizenship ceremony; the certificate is sent by post.
The Fee Issue
The £1,214 fee (see the current fee table) for registering a child as a British citizen has been the subject of extensive criticism and legal challenge. The administrative cost of processing an application is estimated at approximately £400, meaning the Home Office charges roughly £800 above cost.
Courts have found aspects of this fee to be unlawful, particularly for children in local authority care. The government has introduced limited fee waivers, but the fee remains a barrier for many families.
If you cannot afford the fee, check whether a fee waiver is available. You may also be able to get help from charities that support families with immigration costs.
Good Character for Children
The good character requirement applies differently to children:
- Under 10: The good character requirement does not apply.
- 10 to 17: The requirement applies but is assessed more leniently. Minor issues that would concern the Home Office for an adult are unlikely to affect a child's application.
For routes where registration is an entitlement (such as Section 1(3) and Section 1(4)), the good character requirement has been the subject of legal challenge for children. The current position is that it still applies for children aged 10 and over on most routes.
Common Scenarios
You got ILR after your child was born in the UK
Use Section 1(3). Your child is entitled to registration. Apply with the MN1 form, providing your ILR evidence and the child's birth certificate.
Your child was born in the UK and has lived here for 10 years
Use Section 1(4). The child is entitled to registration regardless of your immigration status.
You became British and want to register a child born abroad
If you are British "otherwise than by descent", your child born abroad is already British by descent. Apply for a passport directly. If you are British "by descent", explore Section 3(2) (live in the UK with the child for 3 years) or Section 3(5) (discretionary registration).
Your child has no nationality (stateless)
If your child was born in the UK and has no other nationality, they can be registered as British under Schedule 2.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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