Registration as a British Citizen

Many people are eligible to register for British citizenship - British nationals, children of British mothers, or persons who have formerly given up their British citizenship. The registration process varies slightly for each category; this includes the application form, required documents, and eligibility requirements. Select the category for you and read on to learn the process particular to your situation.

British Nationality

British nationals are eligible for British citizenship. British nationals are:

  • British Overseas Territories citizen
  • British Overseas Citizen
  • British Protected Person
  • British Subject

If you are a British National and also a national or citizen of another country, you should file application form BOTA to register for citizenship.

If you are a British National and have no other nationality or citizenship, you should file application form BOS to register for citizenship.

British Mother before 1983

If you were born before 1983 to a British mother, you may be able to register as a British citizen using application form UKM. The eligibility requirements are:

  • You were born before January 1, 1983;
  • You have become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent if women had been able to pass this citizenship on to their children in the same way as men at the time of your birth;
  • You would have had the right of abode in the UK and have become a British citizen on January 1, 1983, if you have become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and
  • You are of good character.

Born in the UK

If you were born in the UK on or after January 1, 1983 and lived there up to the age of 10, then you may be able to register as a British citizen using a T category application form. The eligibility requirements are:

  • You were born in the UK;
  • You were born on or after January 1, 1983;
  • You are over the age of 10;
  • You have spent no more than 90 days outside of the UK in each of the first 10 years of your life.*

*This requirement may be waived if your time away from the UK was due to exceptional circumstances.

Born before 1 July 2006

Children born outside of the UK do not automatically become citizens, but they can register as citizens if they meet the following requirements:

  • Born before 1 July 2006
  • If their parents had been married they would have become a British citizen
  • They need to be of good character

Children who meet these requirements can register as a citizen by filing Form UKM.

Born in UK after 1983

People who fulfil the following criteria can use Form MN1 to register as a British citizen:

  • You have to have been born in the UK after 1982
  • Only minors can apply (younger than 18)
  • One of your parents had to have settled in the UK or become a citizen after you were born to qualify.

Gibraltar and Hong Kong

The following people can register as british citizens if

  • They naturalised as a British overseas territories citizen in Gibraltar after 21 May 2002 and
  • They registered as a minor in Gibraltar after 21 May 2002

The following residents of Hong Kong can register as citizens if they meet the following requirements

  • They have to have been a resident on 3 February 1997
  • They live in Hong Kong full-time
  • They haven’t broken any immigration laws
  • They moved to Hong Kong voluntarily intending to settle there

Given up Citizenship

If you have given up (renounced) your citizenship, either as a British citizen or the citizen of a British Overseas Territory, then you may be able to register as a British citizen using an RS category application form.

If you have previously given up (renounced) your British or UK citizenship and you wish to reclaim it, then you may register your citizenship using application form RS1 . The eligibility requirements are:

  • You made a declaration to give up British citizenship after January 1, 1983; or
  • You made a declaration to give up British citizenship after January 1, 1983; and
    • You were born, naturalised or registered in the UK; or
    • You are registered as a citizen of the UK and Colonies in an independent Commonwealth.

If you have given up (renounced) your British Overseas Territories citizenship and you wish to reclaim it, then you may register your citizenship using application form RS2. The eligibility requirements are:

  • You are of sound mind; and
  • You made a declaration to give up British Overseas Territories citizenship after February 26, 2002; or
  • You made a declaration to give up British dependent territories citizenship between January 1, 1983 and February 25, 2002; or
  • You made a declaration to give up citizenship of the UK and Colonies; and
    • Your father's father (or, if you have been married or in a civil partnership, your husband/wife/partner's father's father) was: (a) born, naturalised or registered in that British Overseas Territory; or (b) a British subject who became such because the territory in which they lived is now part of that British Overseas Territory.