Apply for citizenship if you have a British parent

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You were born between 1983 and June 2006

You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:

  • you were born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006
  • 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

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)

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

If you’re automatically a citizen, you can apply for a UK passport 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.

If your British father was not married to your mother

You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if your father was a British citizen when you were born.

He must also have been one of the following:

  • born or adopted in the UK
  • given citizenship after applying for it in his 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)

Fees

You’ll need to pay £130 to attend a citizenship ceremony.

How to 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.

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 by post or in person instead - check which you can do with your governor’s office.

You’ll be told where to give your biometric information after 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.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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