Baby to British Mother and Non-British Father

[SS40576]

Hi everyone!

Was hoping for some advice on paperwork to start with for my newborn. I am a British citizen (born in uk in 1982 so by naturalisation) while my husband is Canadian, our baby was born Nov 2020 in Canada and I would like to apply for her British passport (as she'd be British by descent). She currently holds a Canadian citizenship. Were currently living in Dubai, UAE and do not have a permanent residency in the Uk at the moment.

I understand have to register her as a British citizen first. Do I still use the MN1 form to register her citizenship?

Thanks

[CR001]

Why do you have to register her as British first??

She is automatically British and applies for a passport directly

[vinny]

I am a British citizen (born in uk in 1982 so by naturalisation)

If you were born in the UK in 1982, then, most likely, you are automatically British, otherwise than by descent. Else, if you were naturalised, then you are also British otherwise than by descent.

Hence, your daughter is automatically British by descent. Therefore, as CR001 has confirmed, she may apply directly for a British passport.

[SS40576]

wonderful! Thank you for the confirmation

[SS40576]

Hi

Just a quick follow up - so we confirm she’s automatically British but should I not register her so we have a document that confirms her as a British citizen aside from a passport?

I started her online passport application and it’s already asked me for an original copy of my registration certificate, which I don’t have and so have reached out to the UK National Archives to retrieve a copy.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again

[vinny]

Just a quick follow up - so we confirm she’s automatically British but should I not register her so we have a document that confirms her as a British citizen aside from a passport?

Yes.

I started her online passport application and it’s already asked me for an original copy of my registration certificate, which I don’t have and so have reached out to the UK National Archives to retrieve a copy.

Do you mean your Birth Certificate?

[SS40576]

Thanks Vinny - where would I then register her as a British citizen? Can you share a link / form that I would need to use?

Also about the second part, I have to send 1 of the following as the child's mother as part of her passport application:
full birth or adoption certificate (showing both the child’s and parents’ details)
OR
naturalisation or registration certificate

So I understand I either send in my original birth certificate or a copy of my registration certificate. Is this correct?

Also the applications has the following documents also requested:
Send all of the following for both maternal grandparents:
full birth or adoption certificate
AND
grandfather’s marriage certificate to your grandmother (if this applies)

And all of the following for both paternal grandparents:
full birth or adoption certificate
AND
grandfather’s marriage certificate to your grandmother (if this applies)

I don't have either of these documents in their original formats and I don't have them in English, so I'm not sure their relevance. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

[vinny]

Opps! Sorry, I meant “No” with my first answer.

Daughter is automatically British. A British passport, if not issued in error, would be sufficient evidence of this.

[vinny]

Also about the second part, I have to send 1 of the following as the child's mother as part of her passport application:
full birth or adoption certificate (showing both the child’s and parents’ details)
OR
naturalisation or registration certificate

So I understand I either send in my original birth certificate or a copy of my registration certificate. Is this correct?

Yes. Your UK birth certificate.

[vinny]

Also the applications has the following documents also requested:
Send all of the following for both maternal grandparents:
full birth or adoption certificate
AND
grandfather’s marriage certificate to your grandmother (if this applies)

And all of the following for both paternal grandparents:
full birth or adoption certificate
AND
grandfather’s marriage certificate to your grandmother (if this applies)

I don't have either of these documents in their original formats and I don't have them in English, so I'm not sure their relevance. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

If you were born in the UK before 1 January 1983, then I’m unsure of their relevance as well.

About grandparents:

If the applicant’s parents were born on or after 1 January 1983, you will also need to provide evidence of grandparents’ claim to British nationality by providing their birth certificates and, in the case of grandfathers, their marriage certificates.