Immigrationboards.com

Hello everyone,

Two and a half months ago, I submitted British citizenship applications for myself, my spouse, and our two children (ages 7 and 11) after completing one year of ILR.

The kids are now abroad on school holiday with uncles and grandparents. I expect a decision later this month. If we are approved, my spouse and I plan to return to the UK (from our shorter holiday) for the ceremony and to file our passport applications.

Is it acceptable and legal for the children to remain abroad while I bring their current passports back to the UK and apply for their British passports on their behalf? In other words, can I submit their passport applications while they are outside the country? I understand that the original passports and citizenship certificates must accompany each application.

They must be physically in the UK when you apply for their passports. The form requests to declare where the child currently is.

You're right it does ask where they are, but saying they're abroad doesn't prevent you from applying. For citizenship applications, yes, they must be physically in the UK, but for passport applications, I don't think that's required. Do you have any official documentation or reference to support your point?

If you declare they are abroad, documents must be posted from abroad. You must declare the truth.