Dual Citizenship UK/Canada

[aconnor]

First, I apologise if this kind of question was posted elsewhere..I searched and searched and could not find it. I was born and raised in Canada, but my parents, brother and sister were all born in the UK. My father and brother became Canadian citizens, but, my mother and sister did not and remain British citizens/landed immigrants. I would like to find out if I can become a dual Canadian/UK citizen and what are the necessary steps/requirements to be able to do so? Thanks, in advance for any assistance you may be able to offer.

[Christophe]

You may well already be a British citizen by descent through your parents. When were you born?

[JAJ]

And your father and brother retain British citizenship.

[aconnor]

Thanks for your quick replies, I was born in 1972 and my other brother, who is in the same position as I am, was born in 1969.

[Christophe]

Thanks for your quick replies, I was born in 1972 and my other brother, who is in the same position as I am, was born in 1969.

Your father was born in the UK; were your parents married at the time of your birth?

If so, you are a British citizen by descent (and have been since your birth). You can therefore apply for a British passport. You could, instead, apply for a right of abode certificate to be placed in your Canadian passport, which would verify your right to enter and live in the UK, but it gives no advantages in the rest of the EU/EEA, and in any case it would make much more sense for you to get a British passport if you want to exercise your British citizenship.

Applying for or possessing a British passport will make no difference to your status as a Canadian citizen and Canadian passport holder.

[aconnor]

Yes, they were married at the time of my birth. I read the links you provided and they were very informative and helpful, it appears to be easier to process than I had originally expected. Thank you for your assistance, it's very much appreciated.

[sakura]

aconnor, do you have, or plan to have, any children?

[aconnor]

I don't have children now and don't really plan on having them either, but you never know; however, my brother does, how would this affect him and his daughter?

[JAJ]

I don't have children now and don't really plan on having them either, but you never know; however, my brother does, how would this affect him and his daughter?

Since your brother is U.K. born then he is British "otherwise than by descent" and his daughter should be British "by descent."

Is (or was) he married to the daughter's mother?

Also, is there any particular reason your mother and sister have not become Canadian citizens? It is usually strongly advisable for British migrants to do so as soon as eligible.

[aconnor]

Actually, one of my two brothers, like me was born in Canada and he was also married to her mother at the time of his daughter's birth. As for my mother and sister, I'm not exactly sure why my mother hasn't become a Canadian citizen, but, I may have been wrong, maybe my sister is now a Canadian citizen. Thanks again for all of your help.