British citizenship FAQs
What are the requirements to apply for naturalisation as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen?
To apply for naturalisation as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you must:
- be aged 18 or over when you apply;
- be of 'sound mind';
- show 'good character';
- have lived in the UK for a minimum of three years continuously before you apply;
- have been physically present in the UK on the date five years before your application;
- during this three-year period, not have been absent from the UK for more than 270 days in total, and not more than 90 days in the year immediately before your application;
- be settled in the UK at the time of the application (NB. you are 'settled' if you are (i) ordinarily resident in the UK, and (ii) your stay here is not subject to any time limit);
- demonstrate you can communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic to an acceptable degree (NB. this requirement may be waived by the Home Office on age or health grounds); and
- have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK and pass a formal citizenship test (NB. as above, this requirement may be waived on age or health grounds).
What are the requirements to apply for naturalisation as someone not married or in a civil partnership with a British citizen?
You must:
- be aged 18 or over when you apply;
- be of 'sound mind';
- show 'good character';
- have lived in the UK for a minimum of five years continuously before you apply;
- have been physically present in the UK on the date five years before your application;
- during this five-year period, not have been absent from the UK for more than 450 days in total, and not more than 90 days in the year immediately before your application;
- have been settled in the UK (see above for definition of 'settled') for at least one year before the application;
- demonstrate you can communicate in English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic to an acceptable degree (NB. as above, this requirement may be waived);
- have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK and pass a formal citizenship test (NB. as above, this requirement may be waived); and
- show an intention to continue living in the UK (unless in Crown service, working with an international organisation of which the UK is a member or established in the UK).
Apart from the citizenship and language tests, and the application itself, are there any other formalities to become a naturalised citizen?
Yes, you will need to make an oath of allegiance and pledge that you will respect the rights and freedoms of the UK and uphold its democratic values, observe its laws, and fulfil the duties and obligations of citizenship.
My spouse and I are applying for naturalisation. How do we naturalise our minor children?
Simple answer: you don't. Minor children (under 18) cannot be naturalised as British citizens. Instead, you will need to 'register' them.
Can I be a citizen of the UK and another country at the same time?
Under UK immigration law, you do not need to renounce your current citizenship to become a British citizen -- it is possible to have dual citizenship. Some countries will force you to choose, however. When in doubt, check with the relevant country's embassy.
What are the benefits of British citizenship?
The main benefits of British citizenship are that you will be able to vote in this country and obtain a British passport.
Are there different classes of citizenship?
Yes, there are two classes of citizenship: (1) citizenship by descent and (2) citizenship otherwise than by descent. Citizens that fall into the latter category can automatically pass on British citizenship to a child born outside the UK, whereas citizens in the former category cannot.
What is citizenship by descent?
A citizen by descent is someone born outside the UK who acquires British citizenship because one or both parents are British citizens. As stated above, citizens in this category cannot automatically pass on British citizenship to their children born outside the UK.
What is citizenship otherwise than by descent?
A citizen otherwise than by descent is someone who was:
- born in the UK before 1983;
- born in the UK after 1982 and at the time of birth had a parent who was a British citizen or otherwise 'settled' in the UK;
- became a citizen by naturalisation or registration in the UK
As stated above, citizens in this category can automatically pass on British citizenship to their children born outside the UK.
How much does it cost to apply for British citizenship?
The costs change periodically, but as of May 2010 the standard application fee was £550; the fee for naturalisation was £735; and the fee for registration of one child was £470 (and £97 for each additional child).
How do I get help applying for citizenship?
To get help with your application, you may want to speak with a solicitor who specialises in immigration law . You can find a quality-assured solicitor in your area with the appropriate skills and experience for free via solicitor matching services, which can also help you to understand the best course of action for your situation and whether you are even ready to hire a solicitor.
- Source:
- FindLaw
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