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Your Guide to British Citizenship by Descent

British citizenship by descent | 

If you are looking to obtain British citizenship, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about British citizenship by descent. We will answer all of your questions, including: What is British citizenship by descent? How do I qualify for British citizenship by descent? And much more!

UK nationality means that you can work, study and travel freely within the United Kingdom. In addition, you can visit any EU country without a visa for up to 90 days. This can save you a lot of money, hassle and time in terms of visa applications. 

Although British passports have changed somewhat since the UK has left the European Union, they are still considered to be one of the most sought-after passports in the world and is well worth pursuing if you feel you may be eligible. 

Unlike over the past few decades when UK passports were the iconic maroon color, they are now blue. 

So, how do you know if you qualify for a British passport? Well, most people who are eligible for UK passports qualify for British citizenship by descent, meaning either you, one or both of your parents were born in the United Kingdom. 

Below is MyBritishPassport’s guide to British citizenship by descent.

British Citizenship by Descent 

British citizenship by descent is a type of British citizenship that can be obtained by people with at least one parent who is a British citizen.

If you were born outside of the UK, you may still be eligible for British citizenship by descent if your parent was a British citizen at the time of your birth. In order to qualify for British citizenship by descent, you must meet certain eligibility criteria.

How do I get British citizenship by descent?

In order for you to obtain British citizenship by descent, at least one of the following statements would need to be true for your situation: 

  • your father was born or naturalized in the United Kingdom 
  • your mother was born or naturalized in the United Kingdom
  • you were born abroad but one or both of your maternal grandparents were born in the United Kingdom (this would qualify you for British citizenship by double descent)

If one of these statements is true for you, you can begin the process of applying for your British passport. 

Once you have established that you are eligible for British citizenship by descent, the next step is to apply for a British passport. The process of applying for a British passport varies depending on your country of origin and whether or not you already hold a valid passport.

To avoid confusion and to streamline your application, MyBritishPassport can assist you with every aspect of the process. We guide our clients from start to finish and ensure that their application forms have been completed correctly, they have submitted the right, original supporting documentation and the correct photograph. 

Our team is also always there should you have any questions or concerns and we keep you updated on every step of the process. 

Ready to apply for your British passport? Simply click here to get started!

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british citizenship by descent

Can I get British citizenship through my father?

Yes, the good news is that you can obtain British citizenship through your father, as long as he was born in the UK. 

If your father was naturalized (ie he was not born in the UK), your birth would have needed to take place after the naturalization to be eligible. 

People who were born before 1 January 1983 but outside of the UK to a British-born father would qualify for UK nationality as long as their parents were married at the time of their birth.

However, if their father is a UK citizen, they were born outside of the United Kingdom but their parents were never married, they may or may not be eligible for UK nationality. 

Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, would qualify for UK citizenship as long as their father is considered to be a British citizen. 

However, if their parents were never married, further research would need to be conducted. 

Children born after 1 July 2006 could qualify for British citizenship as long as the father is British. 

If their parents were never married, they would still be eligible for UK citizenship. 

Can I claim British citizenship through my mother?

Yes, you could qualify for British citizenship through your mother.

If you were born before 1 January 1983, your mother would have needed to register you as a British citizen when you were born. 

Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006 could qualify for British citizenship through descent, even if they were born outside of the UK (but to a British-born mother).

Anyone born after 1 July 2006 could qualify for UK citizenship, as long as at least one parent is British. 

For further information on British citizenship by descent from South Africa, feel free to contact a member of the MyBritishPassport team. 

British citizenship by descent

Does a British passport mean citizenship?

Yes, as long as you hold a full British passport, you are considered to be a British citizen and can travel in and out of the UK as much as you want. 

This comes with a number of privileges, including the right to freely live, work and study in the UK, access to public funds and protection from British embassies, consulates and high commissions whilst abroad. 

Can I get UK citizenship through my grandfather?

UK immigration rules allow an automatic claim to British Citizenship if you have a grandparent (and, in rare cases, a great-grandparent) born in the UK.

How many generations back can you claim British citizenship?

British citizenship by double descent refers to inheriting British citizenship from a grandparent. It is uncommon for British citizenship to pass down more than one generation by descent. However, there are some special circumstances where this happens.

About MyBritishPassport

MyBritishPassport is a leading provider of British passport application and renewal services from abroad. We offer a range of services to help you obtain your British passport, including: British passport renewals, British passport applications, British Passport replacements, and British certificates. Contact us today to see how we can help you!

MyBritishPassport offers fast, reliable and affordable British passport services. We are a team of experienced consultants who are here to help you with all aspects of your British Passport application.

Conclusion: British Citizenship by Descent

We hope this blog post has been helpful in providing you with information on British citizenship by descent. If you have any further questions, contact us below. Our team of experts will be happy to assist. 

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ABOUT MYBRITISHPASSPORT

A member of the U.K.PASSPORTS™ group, MyBritishPassport is the leading international British Passport Service Provider catering to British citizens residing outside of the UK. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has been offering efficient and hassle-free online services for British Passport renewals, replacements, and applications from abroad.

The company has gained a reputation as a leading service provider in the industry, with countless verified five-star reviews from satisfied clients worldwide. This speaks volumes about their excellent service quality.

MyBritishPassport has a highly knowledgeable team of British Passport Consultants who are well-versed in all the requirements of the HM Passport Office. They are continuously updated with the latest rules and regulations governing passport issuance, ensuring that their clients receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

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