Registering your child as a British citizen: What you need to know

Becoming a British citizen can open doors for your child, giving them access to a world of opportunities and the full rights that come with British citizenship. There are several pathways to becoming British, including by birth, descent, or naturalisation. However, if you are not born a British citizen, one of the ways to obtain citizenship is through registration. 

Registering to become British is not just for children. If you or your child were born in the UK after 01 January 1983 and have lived in the UK up to the age of 10, you may be able to register as British citizen.

This article will focus on the process and application for registering your child as a British citizen, but remember, adults can use the registration process too. You can read more about applying for British citizenship by registration on our website.

Registering as British can be a huge milestone for your child. By giving your child the same nationality as their peers, easier travel with a British passport, and security about their future in the UK, you give them stability and freedom to achieve their potential. 

A child becoming a British citizen can also be a significant step for the whole family, especially if neither parent is British or able to apply to become British, as having a British child would strengthen the family’s own ties to the UK. The whole family becoming British provides further stability and certainty for the child, thereby enhancing their chances of achieving their potential in the UK. 

The process doesn’t have to be complicated, but some things are essential to keep in mind when applying. You may benefit from seeking legal advice if you are unsure about any aspects of the application. 

According to section 1(4) of the British Nationality Act 1981, you can be registered as a British citizen if:

1. You were born in the UK
2. You were not a British citizen at birth as at the time of birth neither parent was a British citizen nor settled in the UK
3. You are aged 10 years or over on the date of the application
4. You have lived in the UK for the first 10 years of your life
5. You have not been outside of the UK for more than 90 days in each of the first 10 years of your life.  

That might seem like a lot of rules, but it’s worth checking if your child meet these conditions. If your child does, your child could have the security of British citizenship.

If you are applying for your child, you’ll need to gather a few important documents. These include: 

• Your child’s full birth certificate 
• Their passport 
• Letters or reports from their school confirming attendance

The idea is to paint a clear picture of your child’s life and ties to the UK. In order to make this as clear as possible other helpful documents might be: 

• Medical records
• Letters addressed to your child
• Evidence of your family’s status in the UK
• Photos and letters from family and friends can also be included

You’ll also need two referees. One should be someone who has known your child in a professional capacity, like a teacher, health visitor or minister of religion.

You’ll need to apply online, and pay the Home Office application fee. Home Office application fees are subject to change and we advise checking on the fees prior to submitting the application fee. For families on low income, there’s an option to apply for a fee waiver if the person applying to register as a British citizen is under 18, which needs to be done before you submit the main application online.

After submitting the application and uploading the supporting documents, your child will need to attend a biometric appointment. If your child is attending the biometric appointment, they will need to go with you or another legal guardian. 

Decisions are usually made by the Home Office within 6 months from the date you make the application.

If your child wasn’t born in the UK but has lived here for more than 10 years, there’s still a chance they are eligible to apply, however this application is a discretionary one.

The Home Office have discretion to normally register if a child has lived in the UK for more than 10 years and:

1. The child is in the UK with an immigration status 
2. The parents have regularised their own immigration status
3. Where necessary both parents consent to the registration or any objections by the non-applying parent are ill founded
4. There is no reason to refuse on character grounds

The Home Office will consider each case on its own merits, weighing up arguments made about the individual child’s best interests.  If the Home Office are convinced that your child’s best interests lie in the UK, then usually discretion can be made in favour of the child being registered as a British Citizen.  

The more you can show throughout the application that your child’s life is firmly rooted in the UK—like attending school, you and your child having leave to remain, and being of good character—the better the chances of success.

It can be extremely beneficial for a child who is eligible to apply to register as British Citizen. Becoming a citizen can give certainty in knowing their future in the UK is secure, a great sense of identity and make them feel equal to their peers, giving them the foundation to achieve their potential.  

However, the application does require careful planning and knowing which supporting documents should be provided, in particular due to the significant status given should an application be granted. It is best to seek immigration legal advice so a legal professional can assess the eligibility and chances of success before you make your application.