Apply for citizenship if your parent is a British overseas territories citizen

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If you were born before 1983 and your mother was a British overseas territories citizen

You can apply to become a British overseas territories citizen and a British citizen if both of the following apply:

  • you were born before 1 January 1983
  • you would have become a British overseas territories citizen if your mother had been able to pass citizenship on to you when you were born

Documents you’ll need to apply

You’ll need to provide the following documents to show how you could have become a British overseas territories citizen through your mother:

  • your passport
  • your birth certificate

You’ll also need to provide one of the following:

  • your mother’s birth certificate
  • your mother’s certificate of naturalisation or registration as a citizen of the UK and Colonies
  • papers showing your mother’s legal adoption
  • your mother’s expired passport that shows she was a citizen of the UK and Colonies

How to apply

Fill in the form. You can use the same form to apply to become a British overseas territories citizen and a British citizen.

If you apply from outside the UK

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll get a letter telling you how to do this after you’ve applied.

If you apply from inside the UK

You’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You’ll get a letter telling you how to do this after you’ve applied.

If you’re applying from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

If you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you have to apply in person or by post.

Check which you can do with your lieutenant-governor’s office.