Best route for Citizenship

[wynter_b]

My situation:

• New Zealand Citizen with NZ Passport
  Born in New Zealand
  Mother was born in UK to British parents
  Mother lived in NZ married to my New Zealand father
  I moved to the UK in 2007 and have lived here continuously
  Arrived with Certificate of Entitlement in the NZ passport current at that time

Now looking to get a UK Passport and my understanding is that I use UKM to apply, pay the ceremony fee, once application is complete, attend ceremony. Then apply for UK Passport.

Does that sound correct - is there a better way? The other options Ive looked at have much higher fees.

Thanks for reading!

[meself2]

Arrived with Certificate of Entitlement in the NZ passport current at that time

If that's a CoE-RoA, maybe you can just apply for a British passport? Are you sure you're not British already?

What was your mother's citizenship? When were you born?

If you don't have citizenship, on what basis did you live in the UK? NZ people can't just come in and live there.

[wynter_b]

Arrived with Certificate of Entitlement in the NZ passport current at that time

If that's a CoE-RoA, maybe you can just apply for a British passport? Are you sure you're not British already?

What was your mother's citizenship? When were you born?

If you don't have citizenship, on what basis did you live in the UK? NZ people can't just come in and live there.

Mother was born in UK, She was a dual citizen of UK and NZ. She was a resident of New Zealand after marrying my NZ father in UK and they lived in NZ.
I was born in NZ in 1968
I applied for and have a Certificate of Entitlement to The Right of Abode in one of my expired NZ passports (I travel with the expired and the current passports)
The few times I have been asked to show the certificate at immigration I have shown both passports without any issues.

your question "Are you sure you're now British already?" No, Im not sure! I thought about just applying for a passport but don't want to be wrong and have a failed application.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[meself2]

That's the thing, the fact that you got RoA might show you have citizenship, as UKM guidance is peppered with phrases like "To travel outside the UK after getting British citizenship, you’ll need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode ". What documents did you provide for RoA?

I'm not sure if I'm right - experts on this will advise further. But I would assume you're already British.

Also i hope you consulted NZ laws on citizenship since you're willing to acquire another one/might have another one already.

[wynter_b]

That's the thing, the fact that you got RoA might show you have citizenship, as UKM guidance is peppered with phrases like "To travel outside the UK after getting British citizenship, you’ll need to apply for a British passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode ". What documents did you provide for RoA?

I'm not sure if I'm right - experts on this will advise further. But I would assume you're already British.

Also i hope you consulted NZ laws on citizenship since you're willing to acquire another one/might have another one already.

"Holding Dual New Zealand - United Kingdom Citizenship

There are no restrictions to New Zealand citizens also holding citizenship of another country. This does not mean, however, that all countries allow dual nationality or for citizens to hold more than one passport."

So, that all looks fine - I also have lots of other NZ/UK friends with dual passports. The issue thats specific to me is the UK born mother.

Thanks for your help

[CR001]

What year were you born?

If you were before 1st January 1983 then you are not automatically british so cannot just apply for a passport.

[wynter_b]

What year were you born?

1968

[CR001]

What year were you born?

If you were before 1st January 1983 then you are not automatically british so cannot just apply for a passport.

See my edit.

You have to use form ukm to register as british first.

[wynter_b]

What year were you born?

If you were before 1st January 1983 then you are not automatically british so cannot just apply for a passport.

See my edit.

You have to use form ukm to register as british first.

Sounds good to me - so my original post you think is correct:

Now looking to get a UK Passport and my understanding is that I use UKM to apply, pay the ceremony fee, once application is complete, attend ceremony. Then apply for UK Passport.

[CR001]

Correct yes.

[AmazonianX]

What year were you born?

If you were before 1st January 1983 then you are not automatically british so cannot just apply for a passport.

See my edit.

You have to use form ukm to register as british first.

Sounds good to me - so my original post you think is correct:

Now looking to get a UK Passport and my understanding is that I use UKM to apply, pay the ceremony fee, once application is complete, attend ceremony. Then apply for UK Passport.

Usually that is how it is so yes. See existing timeline for UKM application for others experiences on the process.

british-citizenship/ukm-application-exp ... M#p2135644

[AmazonianX]

Correct yes.

@CR001 pipped me to it. You got your answer already.

[wynter_b]

Correct yes.

Thank you!

[wynter_b]

Thank you!

What year were you born?

If you were before 1st January 1983 then you are not automatically british so cannot just apply for a passport.

See my edit.

You have to use form ukm to register as british first.

Sounds good to me - so my original post you think is correct:

Now looking to get a UK Passport and my understanding is that I use UKM to apply, pay the ceremony fee, once application is complete, attend ceremony. Then apply for UK Passport.

Usually that is how it is so yes. See existing timeline for UKM application for others experiences on the process.

british-citizenship/ukm-application-exp ... M#p2135644

[secret.simon]

Just to clarify, for @meself2 and possibly also for @alterhase58, for those born before 1983, there were multiple ways to acquire Right of Abode.

It was only on 1st January 1983 that the Right of Abode was fused with the then Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) to form the modern and current British Citizenship.

Before that date, it was possible to have either CUKC or RoA separately or together.

For instance, before 1971, it was possible for a female Commonwealth citizen to acquire RoA by marriage to a male CUKC with RoA. One such person, an Australian citizen with RoA by marriage, is a member of the House of Lords.

TL/DR: Having RoA does not mean that one is automatically a British citizen. Date of birth is important. RoA being synonymous with British citizenship is only true for those born after 1st January 1983.

[meself2]

Great stuff, thank you!

Also for OP - keep in mind the implications of having British citizenship by descent. You wouldn't be able to automatically pass citizenship to your kids if they're born outside UK.

All successful applicants will become British citizens by descent. As a British citizen by descent you will not normally be able to pass on British citizenship to any children born outside British territory.

[wynter_b]

Gut it! That’s very interesting. Thanks

Just to clarify, for @meself2 and possibly also for @alterhase58, for those born before 1983, there were multiple ways to acquire Right of Abode.

It was only on 1st January 1983 that the Right of Abode was fused with the then Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) to form the modern and current British Citizenship.

Before that date, it was possible to have either CUKC or RoA separately or together.

For instance, before 1971, it was possible for a female Commonwealth citizen to acquire RoA by marriage to a male CUKC with RoA. One such person, an Australian citizen with RoA by marriage, is a member of the House of Lords.

TL/DR: Having RoA does not mean that one is automatically a British citizen. Date of birth is important. RoA being synonymous with British citizenship is only true for those born after 1st January 1983.

[wynter_b]

Great stuff, thank you!

Also for OP - keep in mind the implications of having British citizenship by descent. You wouldn't be able to automatically pass citizenship to your kids if they're born outside UK.

All successful applicants will become British citizens by descent. As a British citizen by descent you will not normally be able to pass on British citizenship to any children born outside British territory.

No kids to consider. Thanks for the heads up though!

[alterhase58]

@secret.simon
Thanks, must admit I was confused first about the ROA aspect - makes sense now - British Nationality law, no wonder people find it difficult to comprehend.