British citizenship - Registration

The rules and processes for becoming a British citizen are slightly different for adults and children. Find out how to apply for the registration of children under 18 as British nationals.

British nationality law is complex and it’s important to remember that, since 1983, not everyone born inside the UK is automatically British. However, children born in the UK since then will generally be British where, at the time they were born, either parent was British or had Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).

For other children born in the UK, it is possible in some cases to apply to become British via ‘registration’. See information below on the most common types of application:

A child who is born in the UK will normally be entitled to register as British where one/both parents later obtain ILR (or Settled Status) or British nationality themselves.

Note – for those born before 1 July 2006 ; they may have to make a different application depending on the circumstances. Please contact the Staff Immigration Service for advice if needed:

Contact the Staff Immigration Service

How to apply

The application (form MN1) can be made online:

Register child under 18 as British citizen (form MN1)

(It is also possible to apply using the paper form but this takes longer and requires you to send away original documents so is not recommended)

The application is submitted when the fee is paid. After that, you will be able to upload supporting documents. Your child may also be required to provide ‘biometrics’ (fingerprints and a photo).

Documents needed:

  • Proof child was born in UK (i.e., their birth certificate)
  • Proof their parent has ILR or British nationality (e.g., Home Office decision letter, BRP or passport)
  • Signed parental declaration
  • Signed declarations from 2 referees – see below

Further guidance on completing the form is here:

Form MN1: guidance


Regardless of a child’s parents’ status/nationality, if they were born in the UK and have spent the first 10 years of their lives here, they can apply to register as British.

How to apply

Again, we recommend using the on-line application form which can be found here:

Register as a British citizen (form T)

The application is submitted when the fee is paid. After that, you will be able to upload supporting documents. Your child may also be required to provide ‘biometrics’ (fingerprints and a photo).

Documents needed:

  • Child’s full birth certificate (to prove they were born in the UK)
  • Any passport/travel documents held by them during the past 10 years
  • Evidence they lived in the UK for the first 10 years of life – such as school, nursery and GP/medical records
  • Signed parental declaration
  • Signed declaration from 2 referees (see below).

Further guidance on how to complete Form T can be found here:

Guide T – A guide for those born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 who have lived in the UK up to the age of 10 


You will need to provide the details of 2 people who know your child and can verify that their photo is a genuine likeness. By signing the declaration, the referee will effectively be telling the Home Office they know of no reason why the applicant should not be registered as British.

First referee: should be a professional person who has worked with your child – e.g. a social worker, teacher, doctor, minister of religion.

Second referee: must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25

Referees must:

• Not be a relative

• Not be a solicitor or agent representing you on this application

• Not be related to the other referee;

• Not be employed by the Home Office;

• Not have been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the last 10 years (unless that conviction can be disregarded in line with the table shown in the Guide);

• Know the applicant personally;

• Be willing to give full details of their knowledge of the applicant;

• Advise the Home Office of any reason why the applicant should not be registered


The current registration fee for children under 18 applying using Form T or Form MN1 is £1214:

Fees for citizenship applications

  • Please note there can be an additional fee of £80 if the child turns 18 during the application process (this covers the cost of attending the citizenship ceremony).
  • In certain circumstances, it may be possible to apply for a waiver of the fee (this is generally based on financial circumstances and the parent(s)’ ability to afford the fee.

Further guidance is available on the Home Office website:

Citizenship fee waiver for individuals under 18: caseworker guidance


Some countries do not allow their citizens to acquire a second nationality e.g. China;  some will only allow a second nationality to be acquired before a certain age. If you have any doubts on this, it’s important that you check the position with the authorities who issued your current passport before applying to become British.

Normally the Staff Immigration Service cannot advise on questions of nationality law relating to 3rd countries; we would encourage staff members to contact the relevant Embassy/Consulate for information on this. We would be happy to sign post staff members where possible.


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