Father Born in Rhodesia in 1950 - by descent?

[Rhuey46]

Hi, I have searched through so many forums and nationality acts but haven't found anything so I'm hoping someone can help.

My Wife was born in South Africa in 1984. Her father was born in Rhodesia in 1950 and he has British citizenship (having a British passport stating "British citizen"). His Father was born in the UK in 1924.

My Wife's Father got his British passport in 1990, although his Rhodesian passport expired in 1976 and when he got his British passport had a choice of either British or Rhodesian/Zimbabwean and chose the British. When my wife was born he had no citizenship (i.e. no passport or documents, and he was never and is currently not a citizen of South Africa but holds a residence permit)

We are trying to find out if my wife can obtain a British Passport and citizenship by descent from her Father, the thing is we are not sure if he would have obtained citizenship by descent of by other than descent (which would obviously mean my wife could get hers.

So is Rhodesia a "Qualifying Territory" and would he have acquired his British citizenship by descent or other than by descent, considering he could have also acquired it through his father, but would he have it because of his birth (which means my wife can apply)?

I hope this makes sense, and that someone will be able to help.

Thanks.

[JAJ]

Southern Rhodesia was a colony until 1980, but from 1949 was a "country" for British nationality purposes.

That means that unless there are some special circumstances that you haven't told us about - such as UK recruited Crown Service - your wife's father was a Citizen of the UK & Colonies by descent rather than by birth.

Were your wife's father's parents married?

Right now, the options look like:

- Ancestry Visa, http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk ; and/or
- If the UK born grandfather was born in Northern Ireland, then your wife could register as an Irish citizen.

[Rhuey46]

My wifes cousin, that was born in Rhodesia in early 1970's whose mother (born in the UK) is my wifes aunt (fathers sister). The cousin was able to pass British citizenship onto her children which were born in South Africa, even though she was born in Rhodesia. How would this be possible?

This is the basis on which we thought my wife could claim it through her father.

[JAJ]

My wifes cousin, that was born in Rhodesia in early 1970's whose mother (born in the UK) is my wifes aunt (fathers sister). The cousin was able to pass British citizenship onto her children which were born in South Africa, even though she was born in Rhodesia. How would this be possible?

During the UDI years in Rhodesia (1965-79) there were special provisions for Southern Rhodesians of British ancestry to be registered as UK citizens, if they intended to move to the UK.

Or they may have been more flexible on the general requirements for registering children as CUKC.

[Rhuey46]

Is there a way you can find out if you are a British Citizen by descent or other than by descent, without sifting through all the rules and acts.

Surely there is a number you can call in the UK and they can tell you your status based on your passport number?