Can I Get a British Passport Through My Mother?

Last Updated on August 1, 2025 by Michelle Krause

This is one of the most common questions we get at MyBritishPassport. If your mother is a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply for a UK passport yourself. It depends on a few key details, like your date of birth, where you were born, and how your mother became British.

In this article, we’ll share what we’ve learned from helping thousands of people in similar situations. We’ll explain the key requirements, cover some real government statistics, and answer the most frequent questions we receive from clients. If you think you might qualify, read on – this could be your first step towards holding a British passport.

Quick Overview – Can I Get a British Passport Through My Mother?

If your mother was a British citizen when you were born, you might be entitled to British citizenship by descent. This usually makes you eligible to apply for a UK passport, especially if you were born after 1 January 1983.

For people born before that date, the rules were stricter, but recent legal changes now allow many of those individuals to apply for British citizenship through registration.

It all depends on the fine details – but in our experience, most people who ask this question are eligible in some way. We help break down the process, explain the requirements, and guide you through from start to finish.

Can I apply if I was born before 1983?

Yes. If your mother was British and you were born before 1 January 1983, you can often apply to register as a British citizen. This is not automatic, but we’ve helped many people successfully go through this process.

Can I hold dual citizenship?

Yes. The UK allows dual nationality. As long as your other country allows it too, you can hold a British passport alongside your current one.

What if my mother was British by descent?

If your mother was British by descent (meaning she was born outside the UK to British parents), she usually couldn’t automatically pass on citizenship. However, there are exceptions. We can review your case to see what applies.

Can I get a British passport from my mother?

 Yes, if your mother was a British citizen when you were born, you may be eligible.

Who qualifies for a British passport?

British citizens and certain British nationals, such as those born to British parents or naturalised in the UK.

Can I Get a British Passport Through My Mother? 

At MyBritishPassport, we’ve seen all kinds of cases – some straightforward, others less so. But if your mother is a British citizen, that’s a solid starting point.

The UK government allows people born abroad to apply for a passport if they have a British parent. The rules depend heavily on when you were born and how your mother got her British status. Let’s break it down.

Born after 1 January 1983

If you were born outside the UK after this date and your mother was a British citizen at the time, you likely acquired British citizenship by descent. You should be eligible for a UK passport.

However, this form of citizenship doesn’t usually pass down another generation, so your children might not be eligible unless they were born in the UK or you later become a British citizen otherwise than by descent.

Born before 1 January 1983

Before 1983, the law only allowed citizenship to be passed down through the father. This meant that children born to British mothers abroad were not automatically citizens.

However, this has changed. The British Nationality Act has been amended to allow people in this situation to register as British citizens. It’s not automatic – you have to apply and meet the criteria – but it is now a valid route.

We regularly assist with this type of application, and with the right documents, the process is very achievable.

How your mother became British matters

If your mother was born in the UK or became a British citizen through naturalisation before your birth, she’s considered British otherwise than by descent. That means she could pass her citizenship to you.

But if she was British by descent – for example, born abroad to a British parent herself – then she may not have had the legal right to pass her citizenship to you automatically. This is where it gets more complex, and we help clients untangle the details every day.

READ | Can I Apply for a British Passport Outside the UK?

Real stats: Passport and citizenship trends

According to the UK government’s most recent Passports and Citizenship Data Report (Q4 2024), over 1.25 million passport applications were submitted in that quarter alone. Around 11% of those came from outside the UK. That’s a clear sign that many people with British roots abroad are applying.

The number of citizenship applications is also growing steadily, with thousands of successful outcomes each month. It’s encouraging to see so many people reclaiming their British heritage.

View the official stats here

How MyBritishPassport can help

We’ve helped countless clients apply for a UK passport through their mother. Some had old documents, some were missing paperwork, and others didn’t even know they were eligible.

Here’s how we support you:

• We check your eligibility based on your circumstances
• We provide a personalised list of required documents
• We help you complete the forms correctly
• We prepare and submit your application to HM Passport Office
• We track progress and handle any issues that arise

You’re not alone in this. And you don’t have to deal with the red tape and fine print on your own.

Ready to apply?

If you’re wondering whether your mother’s British citizenship means you can get a UK passport, now is the perfect time to find out.

At MyBritishPassport, we’ll assess your case, walk you through what’s needed, and support you all the way until you’re holding that passport in your hand.

Contact us today for a free eligibility review. We’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

“I am extremely pleased with the whole process of getting my new passport. I would like to thank my consultant, Hayley. She was most helpful and explained everything so well. Great communication.

Thanks again Hayley! ” –  Tracy OLeary

Topic: Can I Get a British Passport Through My Mother?