Children Born Outside the UK (one is special needs kid)

mastidl wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:57 pm

Hi,

I am sorry if this is a repost.

I was on ILR from Apr 2024 and applied for British citizenship in Oct 2025. I have received my citizenship approval email on 19 Jan 2026. I am waiting to book ceremony.

I have 2 kids aged 12 and 9 who were born outside of the UK and living in the UK from 2020. Their ILR was approved in Aug 2025 along with my wife.

My elder son, is a special needs kid and he will be turning 13 in May 2026.
Now I am planning to apply citizenship for both of my kids now as I was under impression that I can not apply for them along with me before I get my citizenship. I might be wrong here. you can apply unders Other - at home secretary discretion, see below

1. As per my understanding, I should apply using MN-1 form right. yes

2. I have used 2 of my friends as referees, Both are ltd company directors and both are British citizens( though I mentioned only one as ltd company director). Can I use them again for both of my kids ? should I use the school teacher or GP staff ? you can ask the teachers but often they refuse. in that case use the same referees you used for your application.

3. We are living in the current city from Mar 2024. so if have to get referral from a school teacher or GP, then it wont cover for the 3 years period. is that okay ? they should have known the child for 3 years.

Thanks

Children applying in line with parents
Children will come within this category if:

one parent is a British citizen or about to become one through registration or naturalisation

the other parent (if involved in the child’s life) is a British citizen or settled in the UK (“settled” usually means that the parent has indefinite leave to remain in the UK)

the child has been resident in the UK for the last 2 years - (if the child is under the age of 2 we can accept a shorter residence period, taking into account the age of the child)

the child is settled in the UK

both parents give their consent to registration (unless good reasons are provided)

there is no reason to refuse on character grounds.

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 21, 2026 8:01 am

mastidl wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 20, 2026 10:57 pm

Hi,

I am sorry if this is a repost.

I was on ILR from Apr 2024 and applied for British citizenship in Oct 2025. I have received my citizenship approval email on 19 Jan 2026. I am waiting to book ceremony.

I have 2 kids aged 12 and 9 who were born outside of the UK and living in the UK from 2020. Their ILR was approved in Aug 2025 along with my wife.

My elder son, is a special needs kid and he will be turning 13 in May 2026.
Now I am planning to apply citizenship for both of my kids now as I was under impression that I can not apply for them along with me before I get my citizenship. I might be wrong here. you can apply unders Other - at home secretary discretion, see below

1. As per my understanding, I should apply using MN-1 form right. yes

2. I have used 2 of my friends as referees, Both are ltd company directors and both are British citizens( though I mentioned only one as ltd company director). Can I use them again for both of my kids ? should I use the school teacher or GP staff ? you can ask the teachers but often they refuse. in that case use the same referees you used for your application.

3. We are living in the current city from Mar 2024. so if have to get referral from a school teacher or GP, then it wont cover for the 3 years period. is that okay ? they should have known the child for 3 years.

Thanks

from the guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... le-version

Children applying in line with parents
Children will come within this category if:

one parent is a British citizen or about to become one through registration or naturalisation

the other parent (if involved in the child’s life) is a British citizen or settled in the UK (“settled” usually means that the parent has indefinite leave to remain in the UK)

the child has been resident in the UK for the last 2 years - (if the child is under the age of 2 we can accept a shorter residence period, taking into account the age of the child)

the child is settled in the UK

both parents give their consent to registration (unless good reasons are provided)

there is no reason to refuse on character grounds.