Apply for citizenship if you have a British parent

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You were born on or after 1 July 2006

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

  • you were born on or after 1 July 2006
  • your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
  • your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

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.

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:

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 you’re not automatically a citizen

You may be eligible to apply for citizenship in one of these situations:

  • you’ve lived in the UK with your parents
  • your British parent lived in the UK before you were born
  • you were adopted outside the UK
  • your father was a British citizen when you were born and your mother was married to someone else at the time
  • you were born in the UK and your father had indefinite leave to remain in the UK when you were born, and your mother was married to someone else at the time

If you’ve lived in the UK with your parents

You can apply if all of the following are true:

  • you’re under 18
  • your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
  • you’ve lived in the UK with your parents for the 3 years before the date you apply

You must prove that you and your parents:

  • have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years
  • were in the UK exactly 3 years before the day the Home Office receives your application

If your parents are divorced or legally separated, only one parent needs to live in the UK with you. Both parents must consent to your application.

If your British parent lived in the UK before you were born

You can apply if all of the following are true:

  • you’re under 18
  • your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
  • your British parent lived in the UK for at least 3 years before you were born
  • your British parent did not spend more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years
  • your British parent had a British mother or father who could pass on their citizenship to them

Your British parent’s mother or father could pass on their citizenship 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 your parent was born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)

Fees

You’ll need to pay £1,214 to apply.

You may be able to apply for a fee waiver if you’re under 18 and cannot afford to pay the fee.

Before you apply

Check if 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 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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