You may be able to obtain British citizenship if you have a British parent or grandparent. Find out eligibility requirements, fees, and how to apply.

What is British citizenship by descent?

British citizenship by descent is a pathway that allows individuals with British ancestry to claim British citizenship. This means that you can become a citizen of the United Kingdom based on the nationality or heritage of your parents or grandparents. By embracing this opportunity, you can establish a deeper connection with the UK and celebrate your cultural heritage.

Who can acquire British citizenship by descent?

There are two scenarios in which you can acquire British citizenship by descent:

You were born in the UK

You do not automatically get British citizenship if you were born in the UK. You need to check if you’re a British citizen, depending on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances. You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK and are not automatically a British citizen. However, it’s important to check if you qualify through other means, such as the Windrush scheme.

If you were born on or after 1 January 1983 (following the British Nationality Act 1981, which includes the definition of the term British Citizen by Descent and the rules around it), you may be eligible if:

  • You are under 18, and one of your parents became a British citizen or obtained permission to stay in the UK permanently since your birth.
  • You lived in the UK until the age of 10 or older.

In these cases, you have to apply for British citizenship.

In certain cases, you don’t need to apply because you are automatically a British citizen if:

  • You were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983.
  • One of your parents was a British citizen or was “settled” in the UK when you were born.

In this case, you can apply directly for a UK passport or request a letter confirming your citizenship (immigration status). Different processes apply if you reside in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or a British overseas territory.

If you were born before 1983, you are typically automatically a British citizen, unless certain circumstances apply. These include cases where your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country or if your father was considered an “enemy alien in occupation,” and you were born in the Channel Islands during World War 2.

Similar to those born after 1983, you can choose to apply for a British passport or request a letter confirming your citizenship (immigration status). The process for residents of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or British overseas territories may differ.

You were born outside the UK

If you were born outside the United Kingdom, you may still be eligible for British citizenship by descent. British citizenship is typically automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK.

For example, you might automatically become a citizen if you’re born outside the UK to a British parent. But your children will not automatically be citizens if they’re born outside the UK. If you’re not automatically a citizen, you may be eligible to apply to ‘register’ as one.

If you were born on or after 1 July 2006, you are automatically a British citizen if all of the following apply:

  • Your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
  • Your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

Note that if your father was a British citizen when you were born and your mother was married to someone else at the time, you may not automatically be a British citizen. You might be eligible to apply for citizenship using form UKF.

If you were born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, you are automatically a British citizen if all of the following apply:

  • Your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born (they must have been married if your father had British citizenship but your mother did not)
  • Your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

If you were born before 1983, you may automatically be a British citizen if all of the following apply:

  • Your father was British
  • A citizen of the United Kingdom and its Colonies
  • Married to your mother
  • Able to pass on his citizenship to you

Your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you if they were one of the following:

  • Born or adopted in the UK
  • Given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)
  • Working as a Crown servant when you were born (for example, in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service, or armed forces)

OBS: If you qualify for citizenship in this way, your children will not automatically become British citizens if they’re born outside the UK. Check if you qualify another way.

What is British citizenship by double descent?

British citizenship by double descent may be possible for a person born before 1983. It means you can claim British citizenship if your grandfather or grandmother was British, even if you or your parents were born outside the UK. This pathway allows you to apply for British citizenship by double descent and recognizes the importance of your grandparents’ British citizenship, and offers you the opportunity to establish a connection with your British heritage.

If you were born outside the UK on or after 1 January 1983 and your British parent is British by descent, you will not be British by descent. However, if you were born outside the UK and your British parent obtained British citizenship otherwise than by descent (for example, because they naturalized as a British citizen), you will be British by descent.

How can I apply for registration as a British citizen?

To apply for registration as a British citizen by descent, you will need to complete the appropriate application forms and provide supporting documentation. The application process may vary depending on your specific circumstances, so it is crucial to consult the official website of the UK Home Office or seek professional advice to ensure a smooth and accurate application.

What are special circumstances?

Special circumstances may arise when determining your eligibility for British citizenship by descent. For instance, if your parents were not married at the time of your birth, different rules may apply. It is important to understand these unique situations and seek the appropriate resources or professionals for guidance to ensure you meet the requirements.

What is historical legislative unfairness?

Historical legislative unfairness refers to instances in the past where the legislation or laws pertaining to UK citizenship were deemed unjust or discriminatory. These unfairnesses often affected specific groups of individuals, leading to disparities and inequalities in acquiring or retaining British citizenship.

One notable example of historical legislative unfairness relates to the Windrush Generation. The Windrush Generation refers to individuals who arrived in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries at a time when they were considered British subjects. However, due to subsequent changes in immigration laws and policies, many members of the Windrush Generation faced difficulties in proving their citizenship status and encountered issues such as deportation threats, denial of healthcare, and restricted access to public services.

The unfairness stemmed from the fact that individuals who had resided in the UK for decades, contributing to society and considering themselves British, suddenly faced challenges in proving their right to remain in the country and obtain a British passport. This situation highlighted the unjust consequences of retrospective changes in immigration laws and the lack of documentation or record-keeping systems to support individuals’ claims of citizenship.

The UK government acknowledged the historical legislative unfairness faced by the Windrush Generation and has taken steps to rectify the situation. The Windrush Scheme was established to provide support and assistance to affected individuals, including the provision of documentation confirming their right to live and work in the UK.

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions for your UK citizenship by descent application? 

If you think that UK citizenship by descent may be the right option for you, or if you’d like to know more about other UK visa options, don’t hesitate to contact us and book a complimentary 30-minute call with one of our experts.

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

  • We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. We have a team of immigration lawyers, and immigration advisers specialized in UK immigration.
  • Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and provides reassurance that you can expect a successful application.
  • Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
  • All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
  • Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport or visa. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
  • The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.

If you want to know more about UK visas and British citizenship, have a look at these articles:

Frequently Asked Questions About UK Citizenship by Descent

Can you become a UK citizen by ancestry?

Yes, you can obtain UK citizenship by ancestry through British citizenship by descent. If you were born in the UK, you are automatically a citizen if you fulfill some criteria (for example, if one of your parents has settled status or if you are under 18 and one of your parents has become a British citizen). If born outside the UK, you may be eligible if one or both parents have British citizenship otherwise than by descent. This includes citizenship acquired through birth in the UK, registration, or naturalization. In some cases, having a British grandparent may also qualify you for citizenship by double descent.

Can I get citizenship if my grandfather was British?

Yes, it is possible to be eligible for British citizenship if your grandfather was British. This falls under the category of British citizenship by double descent. However, specific eligibility criteria and requirements apply, and it is essential to thoroughly review the current regulations and consult official sources or seek professional advice to determine your eligibility and understand the application process. To find out the exact details of the UK citizenship by descent grandparent route, check the UK Government website or get in contact with an immigration consultant. 

What is required for UK citizenship through lineage?

To obtain UK citizenship through lineage, also known as British citizenship by descent, certain conditions must be met. The eligibility criteria depend on factors such as your place of birth and the citizenship status of your parents or grandparents. Generally, if you were born outside the UK, you may qualify if your parent or grandparent is a citizen by means other than through descent. This means their citizenship was not inherited from their own parents.

The status of your British parent or British grandparent can be acquired through birth, adoption, naturalization, or registration. Some cases may require you to apply for registration as a British citizen rather than obtaining citizenship automatically. It’s important to fulfill the good character requirement, demonstrating that you have not engaged in activities that could negatively impact the UK’s reputation or security. Remember that the regulations and criteria for British citizenship through lineage can be intricate and subject to change, so consulting official guidelines or seeking professional advice is recommended to ensure accurate information for your specific circumstances.

Am I a British citizen if my mother was born in England?

A person born in England doesn’t automatically have British citizenship. If your mother was not a British citizen, then you are not eligible for citizenship.

However, if your mother was a British citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of your birth, you may automatically acquire British citizenship. This means that you are considered a British citizen by descent through your mother’s status. However, if your mother acquired her British citizenship by descent (meaning her own parents were British citizens), different rules and requirements may apply.

Can I become a British citizen if my grandmother was born in England?

Being born in England doesn’t mean a person is automatically a British citizen. If your grandmother was not a British citizen, then you are not eligible for citizenship. If your grandmother was a British citizen and you were born before 1983, you may be able to claim British Citizenship by Double Descent.

Can someone born in the UK with non-British parents get British citizenship?

Yes, it is possible for a person born in the UK to non-British parents to obtain British citizenship. If at least one of the child’s parents had settled status in the UK or was a British citizen or British overseas territories citizen at the time of the child’s birth, the child automatically becomes a British citizen. However, if neither of the child’s parents had settled status, the child may not automatically obtain British citizenship but may be eligible to apply for registration as a citizen based on residency requirements. It’s important to consider individual circumstances and consult official guidelines or seek professional advice to understand the specific requirements and procedures for acquiring British citizenship in such cases.

Who can automatically acquire British citizenship by descent?

If you were born in the UK before 1983, you automatically have British citizenship unless certain circumstances apply. These include cases where your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country or if your father was considered an “enemy alien in occupation,” and you were born in the Channel Islands during World War 2.

If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, you are automatically a British citizen if one of your parents had British citizenship or was “settled” in the UK when you were born.

What are the steps to claim British citizenship by descent?

The first thing to do is check the UK nationality rules, and find out if you are eligible for British citizenship by descent. If you fulfill the criteria, such as being born in the UK from one British parent or a parent with settled status, then you have British citizenship automatically. In this case, you can apply for a British passport or a document that proves citizenship straightaway. However, in other circumstances, such as, for example, if one of your parents acquired British citizenship after you were born, then you will have to apply for British nationality. It’s worth checking all the options on the UK Government website, or consulting an immigration consultant, who will be able to provide information tailored to your specific situation.