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Question regarding children applying in line with parents

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 9:54 am
by melwakil
Hi,

Would you kindly help me figure out what to do. We are considering applying for UK citizenship all together:

We are a family of 4. We all received ILR in July 2022:
Father: lived in the UK for 7 years
Mother: lived in the UK for 6 years
Son: born outside UK, lived in the UK for 6 years
Daughter: born outside UK, lived in the UK for 4 years

My question is regarding my daughter. She lived in the UK for less than 5 years. If we all apply together for British citizenship, will she be granted the citizenship based on the "Children applying in line with parents" category of the MN1 rules? Or do I have to apply first, and when I become a BC then she can apply?

Thanks.

Re: Question regarding children applying in line with parents

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 10:10 am
by alterhase58
Children can apply together with the parents (presumably everyone has ILR).
The 5 years lawful residence requirement applies to adult naturalisation.
Children have no such requirement, though I believe there's an expectation that children born outside the UK have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, which is the case for yours. Note that children get registered as British citizens, not naturalised which is for adults. The online system will adjust to MN1 when you add them to your application so you can all apply together.
Note that "in line with parents" refers to allowing children to apply when the parents apply - it doesn't mean they are subject to the same requirements as adults.

Re: Question regarding children applying in line with parents

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 5:17 pm
by melwakil
Thank you very much for your answer. I truly appreciate your quick and detailed answer.