Naturalisation vs Registration: What's the Difference?

Overview of the Two Routes

British citizenship law is set out in the British Nationality Act 1981. This Act provides two main ways to acquire citizenship: naturalisation and registration. The official naturalisation application page on GOV.UK covers the standard route.

The simplest way to understand the difference is this: naturalisation is for people who have no prior connection to Britain and build one through living here. Registration is for people who already have a connection, such as a British parent or being born in the UK, but did not automatically become British.

The form you use, the requirements you must meet, and the legal basis for your application all depend on which route applies to you.

Naturalisation: The Standard Route

Naturalisation under Section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981 is the most common route to citizenship. It applies to adults who have lived in the UK and want to become British based on their residence.

There are two main naturalisation categories:

Section 6(1): General Naturalisation

This is for adults who are not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. The requirements are:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Have held ILR (or EU settled status) for at least 12 months
• Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the application
• Not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in those 5 years
• Not have been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet the English language requirement
• Be of good character
• Intend to continue living in the UK or maintain a close connection

Section 6(2): Naturalisation for Spouses

This applies if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen. The requirements are more relaxed:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Hold ILR (no 12-month waiting period required)
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the application
• Not have been absent for more than 270 days in those 3 years
• Not have been absent for more than 90 days in the 12 months before applying
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Meet the English language requirement
• Be of good character

The main advantages for spouses are a shorter residency requirement (3 years instead of 5) and no requirement to wait 12 months after receiving ILR.

For both naturalisation categories, you use Form AN.

Registration: The Entitlement Route

Registration is used when a person has an existing connection to Britain but did not automatically become a citizen. There are many different registration provisions, each covering a specific situation.

Common Registration Routes

• Children born in the UK who are not automatically British: A child born in the UK after 1 January 1983 to parents who were not British or settled at the time of birth is not automatically British. However, they can be registered as British if a parent later becomes British or gets ILR, or once the child has lived in the UK for the first 10 years of their life.
• Children born abroad to British citizens: A child born abroad to a British citizen by descent may not automatically be British. They may be eligible for registration.
• Children of British fathers born before 2006: Historical provisions that discriminated based on parents' marital status have been corrected. People born before 1 July 2006 who would have been British if their parents had been married can register.
• People affected by historical gender discrimination: Before 1983, British citizenship could only pass through the father, not the mother. Provisions now allow people who missed out due to this discrimination to register.
• Stateless people: People born in the UK who are stateless (do not hold any nationality) can register as British.

Registration uses the MN1 form (available on the GOV.UK MN1 form page) or other specific forms depending on the route.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Who it is for: Naturalisation is for people with no prior claim. Registration is for people with an existing connection.
• ILR required? Naturalisation always requires ILR. Registration may or may not, depending on the route.
• Residency requirement: Naturalisation requires 3 or 5 years of residence. Registration requirements vary by provision.
• Life in the UK test: Required for naturalisation and some registration routes.
• Good character: Required for both naturalisation and most registration routes (except some child registrations).
• Age: Naturalisation is for adults (18+). Registration can be for adults or children.
• Form: Naturalisation uses Form AN. Registration uses Form MN1 or other specific forms.
• Fee: £1,344 for adults (both routes). £1,214 for children (registration).