Unlocking British Citizenship for Children: 4 Pathways to Empower their Future

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In this blog you will discover the eligibility criteria and four pathways to acquiring British citizenship for children. Find out if your child qualifies for citizenship, the required documents and how to apply on their behalf. Ensure a smooth journey towards British citizenship for your child after reading this guide.

Four Pathways to British Citizenship for Children

First Pathway: 

If a child is born in the UK and at least one of their parents is a British citizen or holds settled status (ILR; settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; permanent residence) at the time of their birth. Then the child will automatically acquire British citizenship at birth.

Under this automatic pathway you can apply for a British passport on behalf of your child: Get a passport for your child: Apply for a first child passport – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This will cost £53.50 when applying online for children.

First Pathway Required Documents: 

• Child’s birth certificate.
• Proof of parent’s British citizenship or settled status (birth certificate; original naturalisation or registration certificate). 
• Both the child and parent’s passport.
• Marriage; civil partnership certificate or divorce certificate/decree nullity.

Second Pathway:

If a child is born in UK but neither of their parents is a British citizen or holds settled status at the time of their birth, then either a:

1. Parent becomes a British citizen or acquires settled status before the child becomes 18 years of age then the child can be registered as a British citizen.

This can be completed using a Form MN1: Register child under 18 as British citizen (form MN1) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Registration will cost £1,012 and if by the date of application, the child turns 18 years of age it will cost £1,206 plus an additional £80 will need to be paid for a citizenship ceremony.

2. Child spends the first 10 years of their life in the UK.

This can be completed using a Form T: Register as a British citizen (form T) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Registration will cost £1,012 for children and £1,206 for adults. In any 12 months there needs to be no more than 90 days spent abroad by the child.

3. Child has always been stateless, lived for the last five years (without absence for more than 450 days in that period) and is under the age of 22 at the date of the application.

This can be completed using a Form S3: Register as a British citizen – UK-born stateless person (form S3) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Registration will cost £1,012 for children and £1,206 for adults.

Second Pathway Required Documents: 

• Child’s birth certificate which shows that their country of birth is the UK.
• Pathway 2(a) proof of parent’s British citizenship (passport; naturalisation or registration certificate). Or proof of parents settled status (for instance, a Home Office letter, BRP which confirms their ILR).
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate. 
• Pathway 2(b) proof that the child’s residency in the UK covering the first 10 years of their life (various forms of medical or health records, letter from educational establishment, passport).
• Pathway 2(c) proof that the child is and always has been stateless. In addition to proof that they have lived in the UK for the last 5 years.

Third Pathway:

If a child is not born in the UK but at least one of their parents are British citizens or hold settled status at time of their birth (either through naturalisation, adoption, registration, or birth). Then the child will automatically acquire British citizenship at birth.

Under this automatic pathway you can apply for a British passport on behalf of your child: Get a passport for your child: Apply for a first child passport – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). This will cost £53.50 when applying online for children.

Third Pathway Required Documents: 

• Child’s birth certificate.
• Proof of parent’s British citizenship or settled status (birth certificate; original naturalisation or registration certificate). 
• Both the child and parent’s passport.
• Marriage; civil partnership certificate or divorce certificate/decree nullity.

Fourth Pathway:

If a child is not born in the UK but neither of their parents is a British citizen or holds settled status at the time of their birth. Then a child may be registered as British citizen under the discretion given to the Home Office.

This discretion covers a broad range of factors, such as that it would be in the best interests of the child; that they are of good character. Please seek legal advice with our team at Henleaze Law to support you through this discretionary Pathway.

This can be completed using a Form MN1: Register child under 18 as British citizen (form MN1) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Registration will cost £1,012 for children and £1,206 for adults.

Fourth Pathway Required Documents:

Evidence varies widely under this Fourth Pathway to suggest that the child’s strong connection to the UK.

FAQs About British Citizenship for Children

Summary

Some children may automatically acquire British citizenship (First and Third Pathway) and a passport application can be made. However, other children will not (Second and Fourth Pathway) and so registration for British citizenship can be made.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance on any of the Four Pathways discussed. We will review your application or complete it on your behalf. Ensuring that you have all the required documents and build the strongest appeal case on your child’s behalf if required.