Naturalisation as a British Citizen is only available to individuals over the age of 18 or over. Therefore, should you have a child that’s under the age of 18, you would be required to apply to Register them as a British Citizen.
Unfortunately, you do not automatically get British Citizenship if you were born in the UK. It all depends on when you were born and your parent’s circumstances.
You were born on or after 1st January 1983.
- You can be eligible if you are under 18 and since your birth one of your parents has become a British Citizen or been granted Settled status.
- You can also be eligible if you have lived in the UK until you were 10 or older.
You were born before 1983
- You are automatically a British Citizen,
If your child was born after either of its parents were granted indefinite leave to remain, they shall not be required to apply for nationality and can apply directly for a British passport. Naturally the passport office shall need proof of the status of the child’s parents. If the child was born in the UK but before either parent had ILR, then the child shall need to be registered as British. In practical terms there is no difference between naturalisation and registration.