UK Passport by Descent

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Who Can Apply

With British citizenship, you can apply for a UK Passport. You may be eligible for British citizenship if you have a British parent. It will depend on when and where you were born, and your parents’ circumstances.

British citizenship is normally automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK. For example, you might automatically become a citizen if you’re born outside the UK to a British parent, but your children will not automatically be citizens if they’re born outside the UK.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When You Might Need an Immigration Solicitor

If You’re Not Automatically a Citizen

You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:

you were born on or after 1 July 2006
your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

If none of these apply to you, you may be eligible for citizenship in one of these situations:

you’ve lived in the UK with your parents
your British parent lived in the UK before you were born
you were adopted outside the UK
your father was a British citizen when you were born and your mother was married to someone else at the time
you were born in the UK and your father had indefinite leave to remain in the UK when you were born, and your mother was married to someone else at the time

If You’ve Lived in the UK With Your Parents

You can apply if all of the following are true:

you’re under 18
your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
you’ve lived in the UK with your parents for the 3 years before the date you apply

You must prove that you and your parents:

have not spent more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years
were in the UK exactly 3 years before the day the Home Office receives your application

If your parents are divorced or legally separated, only one parent needs to live in the UK with you. Both parents must consent to your application.

If Your British Parent Lived in the UK Before You Were Born

You can apply if all of the following are true:

you’re under 18
your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born
your British parent lived in the UK for at least 3 years before you were born
your British parent did not spend more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years
your British parent had a British mother or father who could pass on their citizenship to them

Your British parent’s mother or father could pass on their citizenship if they were one of the following:

born or adopted in the UK
given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)
working as a Crown servant when your parent was born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service, or armed forces)

You cannot claim UK ancestry through your step-parents.

Contact our friendly legal team to discuss your options, on +44 (0)20 3384 4389.

Documents Required for a UK Ancestry Visa

Ancestry Visa Document Checklist

Request an official documents check, on +44 (0)20 3384 4389.

To Prove Your Eligibility, You Will Need the Following Documents:

Your birth certificate
A marriage certificate or civil partnership registration document if you are applying to take your spouse
The birth certificate of the parent through whom your ancestry claim is based
Marriage certificates for your parents (if they were married)
Adoption papers, if you are adopted

Other documents may be required depending on your circumstances. As a comprehensive Immigration Legal Service, we will be able to advise you on which documents are required.

For Applications & Document Checks carried out by a qualified solicitor, call: +44 (0)20 3384 4389.

Avoid Costly Application Mistakes

We Can Manage the Application Process for You, Risk-Free!
The UK Ancestry route can be complex. In fact, up to 50% of applications are rejected because of avoidable errors made by applicants. For those people, this means having to pay again to re-apply, causing unwanted expenses, stress, and delays.

UK Immigration Solicitors can help you complete and submit your application successfully, ensuring you meet all of the necessary requirements.

Your application handled by a qualified specialist
Avoid mistakes that could cost you £00’s
Round-the-clock support and updates
Comprehensive document checks
99% Success Rate

Friendly, Fast & Affordable Visa Services from the UK’s Leading Immigration Law Firm

Free initial 30-minute phone assessment
Flexible Payment options
Competitive hourly rates

Appoint a Qualified UK Immigration Solicitor Today

Available 7 days a week
Call 24 hours a day
Offices nationwide
SRA Regulated

To find out how easily we can save you time, money, and the frustration and inconvenience of being refused, contact our friendly legal team 24/7 on +44 (0)20 3384 4389.