A Quick Guide to British Nationality

If you were born in the United Kingdom or have a strong family tie to the United Kingdom you may qualify for British nationality. Read on to see if any of the below situations apply to you.

Were you born in the United Kingdom prior to January 01, 1983?
If you were, you are almost certainly a British national by birth.

Were you born in the United Kingdom on or after January 01, 1983?
On January 01, 1983 additional requirements were introduced for someone to be deemed a British national by virtue of being born in the United Kingdom. If you were born on or after January 01, 1983 you will be a British national if one or both of your parents was a British national, or legally settled in the United Kingdom at the time of your birth.

Were you born outside the United Kingdom between February 07, 1961 and December 30, 1982 to a British Mother?
If you were, you may qualify to register as a British national.

Were you born outside the United Kingdom between January 01, 1983 and June 30, 2006?
If you were born outside the United Kingdom between January 01, 1983 and June 30, 2006 and one of your parents was a British citizen, you may be a British citizen. Your parents will need to have been married at the time of your birth.

Were you born outside the United Kingdom on or after July 01, 2006?
If you were born outside the United Kingdom on or after July 01, 2006 and one of your parents was a British citizen, you may be a British citizen.

Have you lived in the United Kingdom for 5 years or more?
If you have been residing in the United Kingdom for at least the last 5 years, and have been a permanent resident for at least the last 12 months, you may qualify to naturalise as a British national.

I don’t want to give up my current nationality to become British, can I be a national of more than one country?
British nationality laws provide for a person to hold multiple nationalities, so you will not have to renounce your current nationality to become British. However, the country you are currently a national of may prohibit dual nationality and as such you may renounce your current nationality by virtue of applying for British nationality. Most countries now allow a person to hold multiple nationalities, including the United States. If you have concerns you should check with your immigration authorities or local embassy / consulate.

British nationality law is very complicated. I have tried to simplify this information as much as possible and in doing so haven’t listed all the requirements or gone into the technicalities for the above paths to British nationality. If one of the above situations applies to you please get in touch with us on usa@smithstonewalters.com for an assessment.  In addition, there are several other paths to British nationality that are quite obscure, but none the less may be open to you.

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