Applying for British Citizenship for new baby

[Mmmbop]

Hi there!

I've recently had a new baby. He was born here in Australia.

My wife and I are looking into registering him as a British citizen. We are both British citizens by birth and permanent residents here.

I've read the guidance on gov.uk and it is clear that he qualifies.

What I can't find any information on is how specifically to apply. I have found this page here which is as close as it gets: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/form-ns-guidance

It covers eligibility and what happens after application, and states that documents need to be provided to prove eligibility. It doesn't say where these should be sent or in what format though.

I rang the consulate here but they won't pick up the phone.

If anyone has done this before any help would be really appreciated!

[Parley]

Why do you need to register him ? He is automatically a British Citizen if you are by birth. What benefit do you get by registering him ? You can always prove it whenever you need to.

Just apply for a British passport for him when you need one.

[Mmmbop]

This whole thing is very confusing. It's a good question. The question of British nationality vs citizenship vs passport holders is complex and legally cloudy according to what I've read.

I'm concerned he won't have access to full civic rights unless I properly register him.

I'm conscious of the awful Windrush scandal and lots of people who are having to prove their citizenship even when they clearly qualify. I'd rather just get it out of the way.

[Mmmbop]

Also according to this he must be registered as a citizen to qualify for a passport:

A child must be registered as a British citizen before they can apply for a British passport. They must also be registered before they can enter the country. Registering as a British Citizen for a child born abroad can be done at any time before the child turns 18.

https://iasservices.org.uk/british-citizenship-for-child-born-abroad/

[Parley]

You should be able to just apply for a passport and provide the supporting documentation.

Go to the official government websites for the rules not a company that wants to make money from you.

My advice would be to just apply for a British passport for your child.

 

[Mmmbop]

I have read the gov.uk extensively, it’s not really clear. 

I could probably just get him a passport, but as I say I’m not sure if that would give him full citizenship rights. 

As I say I’ve never really had to look into this. But it seems it’s a legally unclear area and I just want to be sure. 

From another site:

All British nationals are eligible to be issued with UK passports. However, only British citizens have the automatic right to live and work in the UK.

It’s also unclear to me what the difference between nationality and citizenship is despite having researched it a bit. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2020 by Mmmbop

[Tulip1]

14 minutes ago, Mmmbop said:

I have read the gov.uk extensively, it’s not really clear. 

I could probably just get him a passport, but as I say I’m not sure if that would give him full citizenship rights. 

As I say I’ve never really had to look into this. But it seems it’s a legally unclear area and I just want to be sure. 

From another site:

All British nationals are eligible to be issued with UK passports. However, only British citizens have the automatic right to live and work in the UK.

It’s also unclear to me what the difference between nationality and citizenship is despite having researched it a bit. 

 

 

 

 

 

I’d agree with Parley.  Apply for a passport for baby and if issued one then that is surely evidence enough. My passport states British Citizen in it, it can’t be any clearer.  I’d get baby a passport and if it says the same then that’s the only proof you need. 

Edited June 12, 2020 by Tulip1

[Parley]

58 minutes ago, Mmmbop said:

I have read the gov.uk extensively, it’s not really clear. 

I could probably just get him a passport, but as I say I’m not sure if that would give him full citizenship rights. 

As I say I’ve never really had to look into this. But it seems it’s a legally unclear area and I just want to be sure. 

From another site:

All British nationals are eligible to be issued with UK passports. However, only British citizens have the automatic right to live and work in the UK.

It’s also unclear to me what the difference between nationality and citizenship is despite having researched it a bit. 

 

 

 

 

 

There are different types of nationals eg Hong Kongers are British Nationals but can't live in the UK.

If you are a British Citizen your child will be too, assuming you were born in the UK.

[Wa7]

I have a British passport for my Aus born child and inside it states British citizen.

 

[Mmmbop]

Thanks all.

Yes it seems a passport should prove his citizenship given we’re born in the UK.

It’s confusing because the Hong Kongers you refer to actually are also ‘British Overseas Citizens’ rather than ‘nationals’, whatever that means, but can’t reside or work in the UK.

This page was helpful as well: https://www.gov.uk/types-of-british-nationality

[rammygirl]

You do however have to apply for evidence of Australian citizenship in order to apply for their Australian passport. This is pretty straightforward though. I would definitely apply for both.
 

The Aussie one is actually more important as an Australian citizen is required to leave and enter Australia on an Australian passport. A UK citizen just needs a valid passport to enter the UK they can enter on an Australian one. 

Edited June 13, 2020 by rammygirl

[Mmmbop]

Thank you!

[Ricks]

On 16/06/2020 at 23:17, Mmmbop said:

Thank you!

I'd be interested to hear how you are getting on... I'm in the same situation and have recently applied for a passport for my newborn.

[Mmmbop]

Hi Ricks. I applied for the Australian passport first which has arrived and am now planning to send off for the British one.

[Tychen]

See this page: https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth You will of course have a local registration, the additional step of registering with the UK authorities is not compulsory before you apply for the British passport.

BTW, the same is not true for an Australian child born outside of Australia. Our first child was born in the UK and we had to apply first to get Australian citizenship for her (we are dual citizens) and then apply for the Australian passport.

[Croft]

On 16/09/2020 at 13:58, Tychen said:

See this page: https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth You will of course have a local registration, the additional step of registering with the UK authorities is not compulsory before you apply for the British passport.

BTW, the same is not true for an Australian child born outside of Australia. Our first child was born in the UK and we had to apply first to get Australian citizenship for her (we are dual citizens) and then apply for the Australian passport.

YAs Tychen states, you can register with the UK authorities but it is NOT necessary to apply for a passport.  Indeed, the wording here implies your child is already a British citizen - 

Quote

 

British citizenship is normally automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK.

For example, you might automatically become a citizen if you’re born outside the UK to a British parent. 

 

The key word there is automatically.  Having worked with UK border controls, it is an interesting fact that you do not have to have a passport to enter the UK, but is sure makes life a lot easier to prove not only your identity but also your right of abode.   There is a Right of Abode stamp you can have in your overseas passport, but last time I looked it was actually more expensive than a UK passport.

[Jon the Hat]

On 22/12/2020 at 13:44, Croft said:

YAs Tychen states, you can register with the UK authorities but it is NOT necessary to apply for a passport.  Indeed, the wording here implies your child is already a British citizen - 

The key word there is automatically.  Having worked with UK border controls, it is an interesting fact that you do not have to have a passport to enter the UK, but is sure makes life a lot easier to prove not only your identity but also your right of abode.   There is a Right of Abode stamp you can have in your overseas passport, but last time I looked it was actually more expensive than a UK passport.

I once technically entered the UK with my driving licence, but only from Heathrow airside after security... it was only when I went to enter the business class lounge I realised I left my passport at home.  I managed to get back through the border / passport control, to meet my wife at the drop off point and get back in again in an hour, just in time to make the flight.  It only worked because a Kind American chap let me take his place in the once an hour escorted trip back across the border.