Multiple British Citizenship Applications from a Large Family

[OrlandoAlbert804]

I am writing to seek clarification and guidance on the logistics and procedural requirements for a complex set of British Citizenship applications. Our family, comprising approximately 11 individuals spanning three generations and residing in five different countries, is preparing to submit applications for British Citizenship.

Each member of the family asserts different claims to citizenship through various routes, and several individuals qualify for multiple nationalities, including British Citizen and British Overseas Citizen (BOC).

Given the complexity and number of applications, we have several questions to ensure we adhere to the correct procedures:

• Multiple Applications for Multiple Routes: Is it acceptable for an individual to submit more than one application if they qualify for British Citizenship through different routes?
  
  Type of Application Forms: Must each applicant fill out only one type of citizenship application form despite having multiple routes to citizenship?
  
  Original Documentation: Must all applications include the original documentation that the decision-making will rely on?
  
  Simultaneous Submissions: Is it advisable for all family members to submit their applications simultaneously in a single large packet to avoid sending original documents back and forth internationally?
  
  Common Ancestor Documentation: How should we handle the original identity documents of our common British ancestor (e.g., passport, marriage record) given that all applicants will need these documents?
  
  Photocopies and Certification: Can certified copies of the original documents be used instead of sending the originals, to minimize the risk of loss or damage during international transit?
  
  Application Packets: Should we include all applications in one packet, or is it preferable to submit them individually but simultaneously?
  
  Individual Claims Assessment: Will the Home Office assess each individual’s claim separately even if the applications are submitted together?
  
  Processing Time: What is the expected processing time for a bulk submission of applications, and will it differ from individual submissions?

Additional Documentation: Are there any additional documents or forms we should include given the complexity and number of applications?

Your guidance on these questions will be invaluable in ensuring we complete the application process correctly and efficiently.

Our family aim to avoid any unnecessary delays or complications, particularly those arising from the handling of original documents.

[contorted_svy]

I am writing to seek clarification and guidance on the logistics and procedural requirements for a complex set of British Citizenship applications. Our family, comprising approximately 11 individuals spanning three generations and residing in five different countries, is preparing to submit applications for British Citizenship.

Each member of the family asserts different claims to citizenship through various routes, and several individuals qualify for multiple nationalities, including British Citizen and British Overseas Citizen (BOC).

Given the complexity and number of applications, we have several questions to ensure we adhere to the correct procedures:

• Multiple Applications for Multiple Routes: Is it acceptable for an individual to submit more than one application if they qualify for British Citizenship through different routes? Yes, but why would you? These are expensive applications in some cases. Focus on the route that is more likely to succeed based on the individual's situation, avoid a "one size fits all" approach.
  
  Type of Application Forms: Must each applicant fill out only one type of citizenship application form despite having multiple routes to citizenship? As I said above, no, but I would suggest to pick one each and focus on that one to reduce expenses and paperwork.
  
  Original Documentation: Must all applications include the original documentation that the decision-making will rely on? Most applications are done online these days, so you will need original documents but you will only submit digital copies in most cases. Which routes do you plan to pursue and where are you located? UK or abroad?
  
  Simultaneous Submissions: Is it advisable for all family members to submit their applications simultaneously in a single large packet to avoid sending original documents back and forth internationally?
  
  Common Ancestor Documentation: How should we handle the original identity documents of our common British ancestor (e.g., passport, marriage record) given that all applicants will need these documents?
  
  Photocopies and Certification: Can certified copies of the original documents be used instead of sending the originals, to minimize the risk of loss or damage during international transit?
  
  Application Packets: Should we include all applications in one packet, or is it preferable to submit them individually but simultaneously? What is an application packet? Such a thing does not exist, as I said above most documentation is submitted online these days
  
  Individual Claims Assessment: Will the Home Office assess each individual’s claim separately even if the applications are submitted together? Yes
  
  Processing Time: What is the expected processing time for a bulk submission of applications, and will it differ from individual submissions?

No such thing as a processing time for bulk applications. Each application will have its own timeline, they could get assessed and you may receive the outcomes at different times. Standard processing time for citizenship applications is 6 months.

Additional Documentation: Are there any additional documents or forms we should include given the complexity and number of applications? No, only documents required for each person individually.

Your guidance on these questions will be invaluable in ensuring we complete the application process correctly and efficiently.

Our family aim to avoid any unnecessary delays or complications, particularly those arising from the handling of original documents.

Could you elaborate on each person's individual situation? It is difficult to advise without knowing which route you intend to pursue.

[OrlandoAlbert804]

• Multiple Applications for Multiple Routes: Is it acceptable for an individual to submit more than one application if they qualify for British Citizenship through different routes? Yes, but why would you? These are expensive applications in some cases. Focus on the route that is more likely to succeed based on the individual's situation, avoid a "one size fits all" approach. OP: Submitting multiple applications for British citizenship for some individuals in the family is due to the fact that some of them qualify for multiple types of nationality. Specifically, these individuals can qualify as both British Overseas Citizens (BOC) and British Protected Persons (BPP), as well as through two routes to regular British Citizenship. Notably, BPP status can no longer be retroactively acquired, whereas BOC status can. This means that these individuals can obtain both the status of British Citizen (BC) and British Overseas Citizen (BOC). This dual status is reflected in the British Citizen (BC)-passport, where on the 'Official Observations' page, it states: "THE HOLDER OF THIS PASSPORT ALSO HOLDS THE NATIONALITY STATUS OF: 'British Overseas Citizen'." (I am uncertain about the exact wording that will appear, but I saw it mentioned somewhere online). This unique situation necessitates multiple applications to appropriately capture all the applicable nationality statuses for these individuals.
  
  Type of Application Forms: Must each applicant fill out only one type of citizenship application form despite having multiple routes to citizenship? As I said above, no, but I would suggest to pick one each and focus on that one to reduce expenses and paperwork. OP: As I have explained above, the intention is to not to only obtain the status of 'British Citizen (BC)' But also to simultaneously obtain the status of 'British Overseas Citizen' (BOC)-endorsement on the 'OFFICAL OBSERVATIONS'-page of the regular passport.
  
  Original Documentation: Must all applications include the original documentation that the decision-making will rely on? Most applications are done online these days, so you will need original documents but you will only submit digital copies in most cases.
  OP: Are you sure? Nobody will be submitting anything from inside the UK. Look here for example: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-form-ard - it is asking you to send your application to :"Department 164, UK Visas and Immigration, The Capital Building, New Hall Place, Liverpool L3 9PP" - now imagine 12 people sending their respective application(s) simultaneously to this address, in a single mail packet. (this is what I meant by packet).
  
  Which routes do you plan to pursue? [/highlight]
  OP: I shall explain in a response, shortly.
  
  where are you located? UK or abroad?[/highlight]
  OP: I shall explain in a response, shortly.
  
  Application Packets: Should we include all applications in one packet, or is it preferable to submit them individually but simultaneously? What is an application packet? Such a thing does not exist, as I said above most documentation is submitted online these days
  
  OP: As explained above, the 'packet' would consist of a minimum of 12 applications for citizenship, shipped in a single package/envelope, to 'Department 164, UK Visas and Immigration, The Capital Building, New Hall Place, Liverpool L3 9PP'
  
  Individual Claims Assessment: Will the Home Office assess each individual’s claim separately even if the applications are submitted together? Yes OP: Even if they all rely on the same background documentation? [I will explain much better, in my next post, so you can understand better, why this question is even being asked, and the logical paradox that exists in assessing the background documentation for the different claims.].

Could you elaborate on each person's individual situation?
It is difficult to advise without knowing which route you intend to pursue.

OP: Yes. Hang tight. I will post an elaborate response to this, in this thread, shortly. I shall organize the information in a table, to make it more obvious, what I am attempting to figure out.