Newborn - travel from the US to UK

[aidan_sheen1]

Hi,

My wife and I are both dual US/UK citizens, currently living in the UK. We are expecting a baby and are going to the US for delivery. The plan is to come back about 1.5 months after the baby is born.

My understanding is that the baby will become automatically a British citizen by descent (both of us are naturalized UK citizens). What I am trying to figure out is what steps I need / can take to make sure that we can bring the baby with us to the UK.

I think we need to register the birth of the baby with the UK and then apply for a UK passport. However, I am aware that there are huge backlogs at the passport office and so that process can take a while. On the other hand, I think the US passport will be done much quicker. But what I am not sure is whether the baby will be allowed to enter the UK with us on a US passport.

Has anyone had experience with this or maybe the knowledge of the rules in these situations?

Thanks so much!
Aidan

[contorted_svy]

US citizens can travel to the UK visa free, so I don't believe your son entering the UK on a US passport should be an issue. you can then apply for a UK passport for him from here.

Please note that if your son is born outside of the UK, his children will not become automatically British (unless they will be born in the UK).

[alterhase58]

UK Registration of birth is not compulsory - a British passport can be issued with a US birth certificate (refer to link below),
of course you will have to provide evidence of your British citizenship. Current HMPO processing times are posted as 10 weeks!
- https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth
- https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
US citizens have "visa waiver" status so baby could enter the UK on a US passport for at least six months, and as a British citizen has an absolute "right of abode" in the UK (cannot be refused entry) - best to take take proof of your British citizenship (passports/birth certificates incl. baby's/naturalisation certificates, as applicable). Someone here may be able to share personal experience.