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Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2026 9:59 pm
by confusedukdesi
Hello experts
Please see immigration status for my family below
OP : British Citizen by Naturalization in 2012
Spouse: Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in March 2025
Children : Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in July 2025. Born outside UK, when Father was on ILR and not a British Citizen.
Question
1. what is the earliest we can apply for registration of children as British Citizen? Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
2. What is the earliest we can apply for naturalisation of wife/ spouse as British citizen> Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
Many thanks in advance for your support.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2026 10:04 pm
by alterhase58
confusedukdesi wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 9:59 pm
Hello experts
Please see immigration status for my family below
OP : British Citizen by Naturalization in 2012
Spouse: Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in March 2025
Children : Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in July 2025. Born outside UK, when Father was on ILR and not a British Citizen.
Question
1. what is the earliest we can apply for registration of children as British Citizen?
NOW - apply with mother.Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
NO
2. What is the earliest we can apply for naturalisation of wife/ spouse as British citizen>
NOW, could have already in July 2025Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
NO
Many thanks in advance for your support.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:20 am
by confusedukdesi
Thanks for your response.
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 10:04 pm
confusedukdesi wrote: ↑Mon Jan 12, 2026 9:59 pm
Hello experts
Please see immigration status for my family below
OP : British Citizen by Naturalization in 2012
Spouse: Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in March 2025
Children : Arrived in UK Dec 2019. ILR received in July 2025. Born outside UK, when Father was on ILR and not a British Citizen.
Question
1. what is the earliest we can apply for registration of children as British Citizen?
NOW - apply with mother.Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
NO
Thanks. Should've mentioned this earlier - mother is currently not planning to apply for citizenship, only the children are. Can the children still apply now (without waiting 12 months), as you advised?
2. What is the earliest we can apply for naturalisation of wife/ spouse as British citizen>
NOW, could have already in July 2025Is there a 12 month waiting period after ILR?
NO
Many thanks in advance for your support.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:25 am
by contorted_svy
Yes, children can apply under 3(1) - at discretion of the Home secretary.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:37 am
by confusedukdesi
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:25 am
Yes, children can apply under 3(1) - at discretion of the Home secretary.
Thank you. Also, with regards to referees, we haven't been able to find anyone willing to act as one, and meets the following requirement. Teachers, Dentist, all denied request a they don't know children for 3 years. School has give a generic letter saying that they have been on the attendance roll for 7 years now.
"Each referee should know the child personally.
One referee should be a professional who
has engaged with the child in a professional capacity, such as a teacher, health visitor, social
worker or minister of religion. The other referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen
passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25"
Question: I have two referees as follows - would this be acceptable?
Referee 1 - Family Friend. Above age 25. British Citizen. Director of a Ltd company
Referee 2 - Family Friend. Above age 25. British Citizen. IT job in private sector.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:43 am
by contorted_svy
This is a well known issue to UKVI. Family friends as you described are suitable referees.
Re: Citizenship waiting period requirements for children and spouse
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:18 pm
by confusedukdesi
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 13, 2026 10:43 am
This is a well known issue to UKVI. Family friends as you described are suitable referees.
Many thanks again. Super helpful. Was thinking of explaining this in my cover letter but maybe it's better to leave it out, if it's a known issue with UKVI.