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Child born abroad

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 12:48 pm
by DR23
Hey

I believe this likely be posted before in some format, but couldn't find exactly what I needed.

So I have recently have had a child abroad, and I want to get her a passport. I was born in the UK in 83.

1) Will my child always be British Citizen from descent (i.e even if she lived in UK for the majority of her childhood)
2) when applying for a passport do I need to apply for her to be a British citizen beforehand?
3) How long does the passport application usually take and is there anyway of expediting it?
4) If my daughter has a child abroad, can they get British citizenship?

Thanks in advance

Re: Child born abroad

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:02 pm
by CR001
I was born in the UK in 83
Just being born in the UK is not always sufficient. Were your parents settled or British??
1) Will my child always be British Citizen from descent (i.e even if she lived in UK for the majority of her childhood)
A child born abroad to a British citizen will always be British by descent. You cannot 'upgrade' the citizenship to British otherwise than by descent.
2) when applying for a passport do I need to apply for her to be a British citizen beforehand?
Not if you are British otherwise than by descent.
3) How long does the passport application usually take and is there anyway of expediting it?
It depends where you are applying from. India/Pakistan can take 6 to 12 months. Other countries it varies. No way to expedite.
4) If my daughter has a child abroad, can they get British citizenship?
Not automatically no.

Re: Child born abroad

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:25 pm
by DR23
Thanks for the quick response. My parent were both british citizen when I was born.

When you replied "No automatically no", can they apply for it? And if so under what circumstances?

Re: Child born abroad

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:28 pm
by CR001
DR23 wrote:
Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:25 pm
Thanks for the quick response. My parent were both british citizen when I was born.

When you replied "Not automatically no", can they apply for it? And if so under what circumstances?
Yes, after living in the UK for a 3 year period or if the British by Descent parent has evidence of residing in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the child's birth.

Re: Child born abroad

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:52 pm
by DR23
Thanks for your responses.