You can register to become a British citizen if one of your parents considered the UK as their home and did any of the following after you were born: became a British citizen got indefinite leave to remain in the UK got ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’) got indefinite leave to enter the UK got permanent residence status You must have been born in the UK and be under 18 when you apply. Fees It costs £1,214 to apply. If you turn 18 during the application process you’ll need to pay £130 for your citizenship ceremony. You may be able to apply for a fee waiver if you’re under 18 and cannot afford to pay the application fee. Before you apply Read the guidance to check you can apply . It may take longer than the usual 6 months to get a decision because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You’ll get extra time to provide your fingerprints, photo and additional information, and to book a citizenship ceremony. This will not affect the decision. How to apply Fill in the form online . You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either: upload copies into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment You can also apply by post . This will take much longer than applying online because of coronavirus. Avoid applying by post, especially if you need your documents back by a specific date. If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory , you have to apply in person or by post instead . Check which you can do with your governor’s office. You’ll be told how to provide your biometric information and supporting documents when you apply. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

If you lived in the UK until you were 10

If you lived in the UK until you were 10 you might automatically be a British citizen. This can depend on if your parents were British citizens or ‘settled’ in the UK when you were born. ‘Settled’ means you are living in the UK without any time restrictions. This includes people who have one of the following: ‘indefinite leave to remain’ ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’) permanent residence status ‘right of abode’ If you’re not automatically a British citizen, you might be able to register to become one. You were born after 31 December 1982 and before 1 July 2006 You’re automatically a British citizen if, when you were born, either: your mother was a British citizen or settled in the UK your father was a British citizen or settled in the UK and was married to your mother You can register to become a British citizen if, when you were born, either: both of your parents were not British citizens or settled in the UK your father was a British citizen or settled in the UK and was not married to your mother You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in each of the first 10 years of your life. Explain on the form if there are special reasons that you spent more time outside the UK. You were born on or after 1 July 2006 You’re automatically a British citizen if, when you were born, one of your parents was a British citizen or settled in the UK. You can register to become a British citizen if, when you were born, neither of your parents were British citizens or settled in the UK. You must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in each of the first 10 years of your life. Explain on the form if there are special reasons that you spent more time outside the UK. Fees It costs £1,214 if you’re under 18. If you turn 18 during the application process you’ll need to pay £130 for your citizenship ceremony. It costs £1,481 to apply if you’re over 18 (including citizenship ceremony fee). You may be able to apply for a fee waiver if you’re under 18 and cannot afford to pay the application fee. Before you apply Read the guidance to check you can apply . It may take longer than the usual 6 months to get a decision because of coronavirus (COVID-19). You’ll get extra time to provide your fingerprints, photo and additional information, and to book a citizenship ceremony. This will not affect the decision. How to apply Fill in the form online . You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You do not need to send your documents anywhere. You can either: upload copies into the online service have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment You can also apply by post . This will take much longer than applying online because of coronavirus. Avoid applying by post, especially if you need your documents back by a specific date. If you’re applying from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory , you have to apply in person or by post instead . Check which you can do with your governor’s office. You’ll be told how to provide your biometric information and supporting documents when you apply. Get help to apply online You can get help with completing the online form if you: do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device do not have internet access You can only use this service if you’re applying in the UK. You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take longer. It may take longer than the usual 6 months to get a decision because of coronavirus (COVID-19). This will not affect the decision. You’ll be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application. If your circumstances change You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office) if your situation changes during your application (for example, you move house, get married or are arrested). Nationality contact centre nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk You might be asked to attend an interview where you’ll need to speak without an interpreter. Attending a citizenship ceremony You’ll need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful and you’re 18 years old or over. Travelling to and from the UK You can apply for a British passport if your application is successful. Apply for a: child’s passport if you’re under 16 adult passport if you’re 16 or over Once you have a British passport you must use it to enter the UK. If you do not want a British passport you can apply for a certificate of entitlement instead. You cannot enter the UK using your certificate of British citizenship.

Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK

Who can apply

You may be eligible to apply to ‘register’ as a British citizen if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances.

This is one way to apply for British citizenship. Check if you’re eligible to apply another way - including through the Windrush scheme.

You were born on or after 1 January 1983

You may be eligible if either:

you’re under 18 and since your birth one of your parents became a British citizen, or got permission to stay in the UK permanently
you lived in the UK until you were 10 or older

When you do not need to apply

You’re usually automatically a British citizen if you were both:

born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983
born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK

You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship (your ‘immigration status’).

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, there’s a different way to get a letter confirming your citizenship.

You were born before 1983

You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983, unless:

your father was a diplomat working for a non-UK country
your father was ‘an enemy alien in occupation’ and you were born in the Channel Islands during World War 2

You can apply for a UK passport instead, or ask for a letter confirming your citizenship (your ‘immigration status’).

If you live in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, there’s a different way to get a letter confirming your citizenship.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK

Who can apply

You were born on or after 1 January 1983

When you do not need to apply

You were born before 1983

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Cookies on GOV.UK

Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK

Who can apply

You were born on or after 1 January 1983

When you do not need to apply

You were born before 1983

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK