Register Child as a British Citizen

You can apply to register your under 18 children as British citizens by using Form MN1 if one of their parents is a British citizen or applying to become British.

We are experts in dealing with British citizenship applications and if instructed will carry out all the work on the application until the decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.

Children who are under the age of 18 years (minors) can apply to the Home Office for registration as British citizens by using the MN1 Application under the British Nationality Act 1981. Depending upon your circumstances, the child can apply for registration under the below sections of the BNA 1981;

• Section 1 (3) birth in the UK to parents who are now settled in the UK or have become British citizens;
• Section 1 (3A) birth in the UK to parents who have joined the armed forces;
• Section 3 (1) child whose parents are applying for British citizenship;
• Section 3 (2) birth abroad to parents who are British by descent and have lived in the UK or a British overseas territory;
• Section 3 (5) birth abroad to parents who are British by descent but are now living in the UK or a British overseas territory;
• Section 3 (1) children adopted abroad by British citizen parents;
• Section 3 (1) children whose parents had renounced and subsequently resumed British citizenship;
• Section 3 (1) any other case not listed below where it is considered to be in the child’s best interests to be granted British citizenship;
• Section 4D birth abroad to parents serving in the armed forces

Once a child has reached the age of 18 they will have to apply for naturalisation instead by using form AN.

Children born in the UK

Children are entitled to registration under section 1(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981 if:

• they were born in the UK
• they were not British citizens at birth because at the time neither parent was a British citizen or settled
• while they are minors either of the parents has since become a British citizen or settled in the UK
• they are under the age of 18 on the date the application is received
• they are of good character if over the age of 10

Registration under section 1(3) gives British citizenship otherwise than by descent.

Children born outside the UK

Children are entitled to registration as a British citizens under section 3(5) of the British Nationality Act 1981 if:

• they were born outside the UK
• at the time of the birth, they had a parent who was a British citizen by descent
• they are under the age of 18 when the application is made
• the child and both of their parents were in the UK at the beginning of the 3 year period ending with the date of the application
• the child and both of their parents have not been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in that 3-year period
• the consent of both parents is given for the application
• children aged 10 or over on the date of application are of good character

There is no discretion to accept a longer period of absence than 270 days in the 3 years before the date of the application.