British Citizenship By Descent
You are eligible for British citizenship by descent if you were born abroad and have parents or grandparents who are British citizens.
For more information about UK citizenship by descent, including eligibility, documents required, associated costs and application process, speak with us at Total Law. Call our immigration advisors at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message them online.
Understanding British Citizenship by Descent
As a Filipino citizen, you can become British by descent, depending on your family tree or ancestry. Your eligibility largely depends on your location, time of birth, and the history of your parents or grandparents.
If you obtain UK citizenship this way, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of being a British citizen. However, you cannot pass British citizenship to your children if they are born outside the UK.
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Eligibility Requirements for British Citizenship by Descent
Overview
There are many factors to consider when checking your status as a British citizen by descent. You don’t need to apply for citizenship if you meet all the eligibility requirements. You only need to send a letter to confirm your citizenship status and then apply for a British passport.
If you were born in the Philippines to a British parent(s) and do not meet all British citizenship by descent requirements of your category, you’ll have to register your citizenship. Below are the requirements you have to meet to become a British citizen by descent automatically:
If You Were Born on or After the 1st of July, 2006
You are automatically a UK citizen if you were born in the Philippines on or after the 1st of July 2006. At your birth, either or both parents must already be British citizens. For this to work, your parent who is a British citizen must have been born, adopted, or naturalized in the UK or at the service of the Crown outside the UK.
If You Were Born Between 1983 and June 2006
If you were born in the Philippines between the 1st of January 1983 and the 30th of June 2006, you are automatically a UK citizen. At your birth, either or both parents must have been British citizens. They must also have been married if it was just your father, who was a British citizen. Additionally, your British parent(s) must have been born, adopted or naturalized in the UK or in the service of the Crown.
You Were Born Before 1983
If you were born to British parents in the Philippines before the 1st of January 1983, you are automatically a British citizen. At the time of your birth, your father must have been British and married to your mother. He must also have been born, adopted, or naturalized in the UK or in the service of the Crown when you were born.
You are not automatically a British citizen if you do not meet these requirements, so you’ll need to apply for British citizenship.
British Citizenship by Double Descent
Overview
You can claim British citizenship by double descent if you have a grandparent who was a British citizen. Whether or not you are a citizen depends on where you were born and the circumstances of your parents and grandparents.
Born After the 1st of January 1983
You can claim British citizenship:
- If your grandfather was born, adopted or naturalized in the UK or in the service of the Crown when your father or mother was born
- If you or either of your parents were born in a former British territory
- If any of your grandmothers were born in the UK, married a non-British man and were registered UK citizens between the 2nd of February and the 31st of December 1982
Born Before the 1st of January 1983
You can claim British citizenship if any of the following applies:
- If you or one parent were born in a former British colony
- If you or one parent were registered as British citizens
- If you or one parent were in the service of the Crown when you were born
- If your parents married before 1949, and your paternal grandfather was born in the UK
Born Before 1949
You can claim British citizenship by descent grandparent if any of the following applies:
- You or either parent were born in a former British colony
- You had a mother or grandmother who married a British man before 1949
Applying for British Citizenship by Descent
Here is how to apply for British citizenship by descent:
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before applying, you must confirm that you are not automatically eligible for citizenship. After that, you must also verify your eligibility for the application. If you are unsure of eligibility, contact Total Law advisors at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
Next is to gather documents that prove your eligibility. These would be your birth certificates and that of your parents and grandparents.
Step 3: Apply Online
The Home Office encourages applicants to apply online instead of by post due to longer wait times for postal applications.
To apply online, go to the Home Office website and complete the appropriate form depending on your birth date and line of ancestry (father or mother).
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
You must pay the application fee and attach the receipt and other supporting documents to the online application form.
Step 5: Make an Appointment with the UKVCAS
Your fingerprints and photo will be taken when you get to the UKVCAS service center.
Step 6: Wait for the Outcome
After application, you’ll have to wait for the Home Office to decide on your application.
Processing Time and Fees for Getting British Citizenship By Descent
Processing Time
It usually takes the Home Office 6 months to process your application and make a decision. However, it can take longer if the Home Office needs to confirm certain information from you and if the workload is high.
Fees
Filipino citizens born on or after the 1st of July 2006 will pay £1,605 for the application fee and £130 for the citizenship ceremony. Others will only need to pay £130 for the citizenship ceremony.
How Can Total Law Help?
Applying for British citizenship by descent is a process that needs meticulous consideration on eligibility due to the complex laws guiding it. This can cause concern for Filipinos who want to obtain UK nationality. Understanding the law behind eligibility can confuse those not well-versed in UK nationality law.
But at Total Law, we have experienced attorneys who are experts in British nationality and immigration laws. They are available to assess your eligibility, help you gather relevant supporting documents and make the application on your behalf.
We understand how time and resource-consuming British citizenship applications can be. We also understand how disheartening a refusal can be. This is why we put the highest standard of expertise and professionalism in our services. We have helped many Filipinos apply for British citizenship and can help you, too.
If you want to know more about what we do and how we can help you regarding your citizenship application, call us today at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
To apply for British citizenship by descent, you’ll need to submit your birth certificate, the birth certificates of the parent or grandparent through which you are claiming citizenship, and your parents’ marriage certificate.
You’ll also need to submit your Filipino passport and your parents. Lastly, you must submit a document proving your current UK resident status.
You can get British citizenship if you have British ancestry. However, you must have settled in the UK to apply for citizenship.
