British Citizenship by Birth For Canadians
It is not an automatic right for a child born in the UK to be granted British citizenship. A Canadian citizen born with at least one British national or UK-settled parent may still be required to apply for British Citizenship by birth.
Get in touch with the experienced team Total Law on +1 844 290 6312 for advice on all immigration and British citizenship issues.
British Citizenship by Birth Eligibility Criteria
Generally, a person can be granted British citizenship if they are born in the UK and have a parent with British citizenship. However, their eligibility depends on their parents’ exact situation and when they were born.
However, Canadian children born in the UK but neither of their parents have British settled status are not automatically given British citizenship.
In some cases, it is possible for a British citizen to pass on British nationality to their child who was born outside of the UK. This is referred to as obtaining British citizenship by descent rather than birth.
Other circumstances, including adoption, could also allow an applicant to qualify for British citizenship, and you should reach out to an immigration expert for tailored advice specific to your situation.
Page Contents
- British Citizenship by Birth Eligibility Criteria
- Requirements of the British Citizenship by Birth Application
- Documents For British Citizenship By Birth Application
- Application Fees of UK Citizenship By Birth for Canadians
- British Citizenship By Birth Application Process Step By Step
- Application Processing Time of British Citizenship by Birth
- Obtaining The British Passport: The Process
- Total Law’s Team Can Help You Obtain British Citizenship
- FAQs
Requirements of the British Citizenship by Birth Application
The exact nature of whether a Canadian meets the UK citizenship requirements depends on where and when they were born.
If Born in the UK
Canadians seeking British citizenship may be able to claim citizenship if they have lived in the country for at least a decade and their parents were British citizens or had settled status at the time of birth.
Settled status includes having Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), permission under the EU Settlement Scheme, and right to abode or permanent residence.
It does not matter if you were not automatically registered as a UK citizen at birth; you are permitted to apply at a later date.
However, it is likely you were automatically a British citizen at birth if you were born after the start of 1983 and July 2006, and the following applies:
- Your mother had British citizenship or had settled in the UK
- Your father was married to your mother and had British citizenship or had settled in the UK
If the above does not apply then you must make an application if:
- Your parents did not have British citizenship or settled status, but you lived in the UK for the first decade of your life and did not spend more than 90 days out of the UK in any of those ten years
- Your father was not married to your mother, but one of them had British citizenship or settled status in the UK. Plus, you lived in the UK for the first ten years of your life and did not spend more than 90 days out of the UK in any year.
If you were born on 1st July 2006 or later, you are automatically a British citizen by birth if either of your parents had British citizenship or had settled in the UK at the time of your birth.
If Born Abroad Requirements
If you were born outside the UK, including Canada, you might be entitled to British citizenship if the following is true:
- You were born on or after 30th April 2006, and at least one of your parents was British
- You were born between the start of 1983 and 30th June 2006 and had at least one British parent at the time of your birth. However, if your father had British citizenship and your mother did not, your parents must have been married at the time of your birth for this rule to apply.
- You were born before the start of 1983 to a father who was a citizen of the UK of colonies when you were born and who was married to your mother.
Documents For British Citizenship By Birth Application
Submitting the correct supporting documentation is an important part of applying for British citizenship by birth. Failure to provide the requested paperwork could lead to your application being rejected.
You may be asked to provide the following so the UK Home Office can assess your case:
- Completed application form
- Birth certificate
- Documents showing the immigration status of your parent(s) at the time of your birth
- Evidence you spent at least ten years in the UK (if applicable). For example, this could be doctor or school records.
- Passport and any other travel documents.
- Two referees – one should be from a professional person (e.g. civil servant, minister of religion, member of a professional body) of any nationality, and the other should be a British citizen and a British passport holder who is either a professional person or over 25 years of age. Both referees should have known you for at least three years, not be related to either you or the other referee, and not be either your legal representative or employed by the Home Office
- Evidence of good character and understanding of life in the UK.
Application Fees of UK Citizenship By Birth for Canadians
The application fee for British citizenship by Birth for Canadians must be paid at the time of application and is £1,214 for child applicants under 18.
If the applicant is over 18, you must pay a £1,605 citizenship application fee (including the citizenship ceremony cost).
In some cases, if the applicant is under 18, it is possible to apply for a fee waiver. You should contact Total Law for more information on the circumstances in which the fee is removed.
British Citizenship By Birth Application Process Step By Step
If you are applying as an under-18-year-old or on behalf of someone under 18, you must complete the MN1 British Citizenship form on the UK GOV website.
For those born before 1983, the T form must be completed and submitted instead.
It is possible to apply via post, but you should expect the process to take significantly longer than applying online.
You must submit supporting documents and pay the application fee as part of the application process. You may also need to book an appointment at a local UK Visa Application Centre to submit additional paperwork and biometric information. Sometimes, you may be invited to an interview to answer questions about your application.
Responding promptly to the Home Office’s requests for extra details is important to avoid lengthy delays or even refusal.
If your application is successful and you are over 18 you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony where you will receive official confirmation of your British citizenship.
Application Processing Time of British Citizenship by Birth
In most cases, the Home Office will process your application in around 6 months. However, this timeframe can vary significantly depending on your personal circumstances.
Unlike many UK visas, it is not possible to pay for priority or fast-track processing of a British citizenship application.
Obtaining The British Passport: The Process
Once you have been granted British citizenship, you can apply for a British passport that will enable you to travel as a British citizen.
To apply for British passport child under 16, an adult must apply for a British passport on their behalf. This can be done via the UK government website or by post (for an additional fee).
The costs for a British passport are as follows:
- A child’s passport – £61.50 online and £74 via post
- An adult passport – £94.50 online and £107 via post
You are required to provide various paperwork when making a British passport application, including:
- A passport-size photo
- Full birth or adoption certificate showing parents’ details
- The applicant’s Canadian passport (if applicable)
- Evidence of at least one parent’s British nationality (such as a UK birth or adoption or current passport)
- Proof of identity from a suitable referee.
Total Law’s Team Can Help You Obtain British Citizenship
Obtaining British citizenship allows holders to live, work and study in the UK without facing any immigration restrictions. It also offers entitlement to a British passport, which can make travelling to a number of countries easier and often reduces the need for certain visas.
However, applying for British citizenship can be challenging for Canadians, especially as the application process can be daunting, with a strong need to provide the correct evidence to support a citizenship claim.
If you are overwhelmed with making a British citizenship application, and require assistance to complete your application, the Total Law legal team is here to help.
Speak today to one of our experienced immigration lawyers at +1 844 290 6312 or use our online chat.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
FAQs
A child adopted in the UK by British citizen parents automatically becomes a British citizen if the adoption is recognised under UK law. The child’s citizenship status is granted from the date of the adoption order.
Yes, special provisions exist for children born to members of the British Armed Forces. If a child is born abroad to a parent who is a British citizen serving in the British Armed Forces, the child may be eligible to register as a British citizen, depending on specific circumstances and residency requirements.
