For many families who have made the UK their home, getting British citizenship for their children is a necessity. Citizenship is about formalising their place in society, the community, and ensuring they have the same rights and opportunities as their peers.
The process for children to become British citizens is a more straightforward route than for adults, but it does have its own specific rules and requirements.
Understanding these rules is important for parents seeking to complete the process successfully. While the path to citizenship for children is seen as less complex, it still requires careful attention to eligibility and a clear understanding of the application process. In this article, we look at how children can acquire British citizenship.
What is naturalisation for children?
In migration terms, naturalisation is the process by which an adult (aged 18 or over) who was not born British can acquire British citizenship. For children, the process is instead called registration. The registration of children is governed by the British Nationality Act of 1981.
Children born in or outside the UK can become British citizens either by legal right, which is an entitlement, or by the Home Office’s discretion. Below we look at how citizenship is acquired under these two methods.
Children who are entitled to British citizenship
Some children have an automatic right (entitlement) to British citizenship. This means that if the legal requirements are met, the Home Office must approve the application. The parent or guardian applies using the MN1 form.
Below are the key entitlement categories under the British Nationality Act 1981 for children who are born in the UK and those born outside.
Children born in the UK whose parents later become settled or British – Section 1(3)
If a child was born in the UK but their parents did not have settled status or British citizenship at the time, the child is not British by birth.
- Once a parent becomes settled or naturalised, the child has a legal entitlement to register as British.
- This application must be made before the child turns 18.
Children born in the UK and who lived in the UK for their first 10 years – Section 1(4)
Children who are born in the UK and live in the UK continuously for their first 10 years, and whose parents were not British citizens or settled at the time of birth can register as British.
This route allows long-term resident children whose parents are not settled and are not applying for settlement to apply for citizenship.
- They have not been outside the UK for more than 90 days on each of the 10 years they lived in the UK
- They are 10 years old or older as specified on the application
Children born abroad to British parents – Sections 3(2) and 3(5)
When assessing British citizenship for children born outside the UK, it is important to understand the distinction between “by descent” and “otherwise than by descent.” a British citizen otherwise than by descent is someone who acquired citizenship by being born, naturalised or registered in the UK. Therefore, a parent who is a citizen otherwise by descent can pass citizenship automatically to their children born overseas.
By contrast, a British citizen by descent is someone who was born outside the UK and inherited citizenship through a British parent. Individuals who are British by descent cannot pass on their citizenship to the next generation born abroad.
This difference is important to determine whether a child born abroad is automatically British at birth or whether they must go through the process of registration.
Section 3(2): If a child is born abroad to a British citizen who is British “by descent”, the child may be registered as British, provided certain requirements are met, such as:
- At the time of the child’s birth, one parent was a British citizen by descent and should have lived in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the child’s birth.
- During the 3 years, the parent must not have an absence from the UK exceeding 270 days.
- The grandparent should be a British citizen otherwise than by descent.
- The child must be under the age of 18 when the application is made.
A child registered under this section will be a British citizen by descent and will not be able to pass on citizenship to their children born abroad.
Section 3(5): Applies to children born abroad who later reside in the UK with their parents for at least three years (with limited absences) and whose parents are British citizens by descent
- The child was born outside the UK and qualifying territories.
- At the time of the child’s birth, one parent was a British citizen by descent.
- After the child’s birth, the child and parents must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, which ends on the date the Home Office receives the application.
- If the parents have ended their marriage or civil partnership or are legally separated, the child and one parent must satisfy these requirements.
- During this 3-year period, the child and parent(s) must not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days.
- The application to register the child must be made while the child is still under 18.
- Written consent must be given by both parents, or if one parent has died, by the surviving parent, for the child’s registration.
The child registered under this section will be British otherwise by descent and can pass their citizenship to their children.
Acquiring citizenship for children whose parents were not married – Sections 4F and 4G
A child who would have been British if their parents were married can obtain citizenship under sections 4G and 4F as follows:
- A person can apply to be registered as a British citizen by descent if they would automatically have become British at birth had their parents been married at the time (4G).
- The application must show evidence of the biological relationship to the British father (such as a birth certificate or DNA evidence if needed).
- A child who would have been able to register for citizenship under previously discussed sections [sections 1(3), 3(2), 3(5)] had their parents been married, may do so under section 4(F)
Citizenship acquired through discretion
Not all children fall into the categories above. In such cases, parents can apply for registration under Section 3(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981, where the Home Secretary has discretion to grant citizenship if it is considered appropriate.
Unlike entitlement cases, these applications are not automatic. Each case is assessed on its own merits. The decision will be based on whether the child has strong connections to the UK and if being registered as a citizen is in the child’s best interest.
Common discretionary situations include:
- Parents applying for citizenship: Children may be registered at the Home Office’s discretion when their parents are applying for British citizenship, allowing the whole family to naturalise together.
- Children with settlement and residence: Parents have completed a period of 5 years’ residence and are settled in the UK. The child has also completed a period of lawful residence for more than 5 years.
- Children with long residence: if the child has lived in the UK for more than 10 years and the parents and child are in the UK lawfully.
- Children adopted outside the UK: A child adopted by British citizens can be registered at the Home Office’s discretion, particularly if the adoption is legally recognised in the UK and the child’s future clearly lies in the UK.
Factors the Home Office considers include:
- The child’s length of residence in the UK.
- Their future intentions (whether they are likely to stay in the UK).
- Parents nationality and immigration status.
- Whether the child is of good character
Good Character Requirement
When assessing applications for British citizenship for children aged 10 and over, the Home Office applies a good character requirement. This means the child must have followed UK laws and shown respect for the rights and freedoms of citizens. Good character is assessed on:
- If he/she has any involvement in criminal activity
- Connected to acts of terrorism and/or international crimes
- Financial stability
- Involved any deception or related activities
- Committed immigration breaches
Fees and duration
The current fee, as of 2025, for each child is £1,214. Applications are typically concluded within 6 months of the Home Office receiving the application form, though times can vary depending on the application. It’s important to submit accurate documentation and fully completed forms to ensure a speedy process.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute of legal advice.