EU Accession Etc

[jannahjewel]

Hi, and I hope I have posted this in the correct place. I am working with a family who are from one of the A8 countries. Mr is working and Mrs isn't. Mrs is currently five month's pregnant, they have asked that I find out some information for them.

Firstly, when baby is born, will little he/she be able to apply for a British passport?

Secondly, although married, the couple have a different surname, and Mrs wants to change her surname now to her husband's surname. Would this be possible and if so how?

Thirdly, when (if ever) will Mr and Mrs be able to apply for British passports? They currently hold passports from their native Lithuania.

Many thanks, if anyone could help, or point me in the right direction, I'd be grateful.

[olisun]

i don't know about the child

but citizens of the A8 countries have to register under the WRS for the first year (and have to be economically active... somebody can correct me over here) and then after one year they get 4yrs residency permit after which they can apply for ILR

and after one year on ILR they can apply for British citizenship

This is based on the current law, dunno about the future

[Marie B]

Hi, I have recently married and changed my surname. All I did was contact relevant people such as my bank, utilities companies, credit card suppliers, dvla, etc. Some of them changed my details on their systems and didn't ask for any proof, some asked me to send a copy of my marriage certificate and a covering letter, and some asked for the original marriage certificate. Best to phone and check or look at back of bank statement etc., for advice about a change of name. If your marriage certificate is not in English you have to get a certified translation, perhaps a service the Lithuanian Consulate provide (?), they are also the people to direct queries regarding a change of name in a passport.

As to the question about the baby being eligible to apply for a British Passport - think this might be possible - although search on the immigration for family members section of this site.

From what I am aware being born in this country does not give the automatic right of British Citizenship. Up until 1981 all children born in this country were eligible to apply for British Citizenship. The law was changed as a number of people were travelling here as visitors, giving birth and then claiming a right to stay in the country to look after their British Citizen child.

These days you can only apply for a british passport/citizenship on the strength that one of your parents is a british citizen or settled in the UK. At birth you automatically get the nationality of your mother. Not sure if they would be considered as settled or would have to wait for residency permit or ILR??