Complicated citizenship question!

[australia1]

Hi all,

I've got a complicated question regarding my own claims to British citizenship by descent.

- My mother was born in Uganda (then a British protectorate) in 1960

- Both her parents were British (born in the UK, both to English parents), working for the Crown Service (then Colonial Service) in Uganda.

- When the independence movement in Uganda began to intensify, they left and migrated to Australia where I was later born. They did briefly return to the UK before doing this.

My question is this: I suspect, as my Mother was born to British citizens on Crown Service, in a British protectorate, that she would be British (and NOT just British by descent).

She would, therefore, be able to pass the citizenship on to me.

If anybody able to clarify?

I'd certainly be interested to hear.

Cheers,

[osteophytes]

Hi all,

I've got a complicated question regarding my own claims to British citizenship by descent.

- My mother was born in Uganda (then a British protectorate) in 1960

- Both her parents were British (born in the UK, both to English parents), working for the Crown Service (then Colonial Service) in Uganda.

- When the independence movement in Uganda began to intensify, they left and migrated to Australia where I was later born. They did briefly return to the UK before doing this.

My question is this: I suspect, as my Mother was born to British citizens on Crown Service, in a British protectorate, that she would be British (and NOT just British by descent).

She would, therefore, be able to pass the citizenship on to me.

If anybody able to clarify?

I'd certainly be interested to hear.

Cheers,

Probably you are not eligible! Looks like your mother will be considered as someone who got her citizenship by descent. Read section 2 in the link

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/61

May be I am wrong but that is how I interpret it.

[JAJ]

Hi all,

I've got a complicated question regarding my own claims to British citizenship by descent.

- My mother was born in Uganda (then a British protectorate) in 1960

- Both her parents were British (born in the UK, both to English parents), working for the Crown Service (then Colonial Service) in Uganda.

- When the independence movement in Uganda began to intensify, they left and migrated to Australia where I was later born. They did briefly return to the UK before doing this.

My question is this: I suspect, as my Mother was born to British citizens on Crown Service, in a British protectorate, that she would be British (and NOT just British by descent).

She would, therefore, be able to pass the citizenship on to me.

If anybody able to clarify?

You've not told us when YOU were born, which is very relevant as to any possible claims you have.

[australia1]

Thanks for the help.

I was born in 1989 (in Australia).

Wow osteophytes, thanks for the link! I had not come accross that document in my trawling.

I guess what I need to check now is that becuase she was born before the Nationality Act (1981) came into effect, if that changes anything.

[osteophytes]

Thanks for the help.

I was born in 1989 (in Australia).

Wow osteophytes, thanks for the link! I had not come accross that document in my trawling.

I guess what I need to check now is that becuase she was born before the Nationality Act (1981) came into effect, if that changes anything.

It might be a good idea to call them and check

http://ukinnewzealand.fco.gov.uk/en/hel ... ia#contact

[JAJ]

Thanks for the help.

I was born in 1989 (in Australia).

Wow osteophytes, thanks for the link! I had not come accross that document in my trawling.

If your mother's parents were in UK-recruited Crown Service in Uganda when she was born, then she may have become a British citizen otherwise than by descent on 1.1.1983.

If that's the case you might have a chance to prove you're British by descent. How much documentation is available?

[ausgirl]

Hi australia1,

I was wondering if you have got any further with this situation.

I am in the exact same position (except i was born in 1990)

I have rung the ukba several times and each time i was told to email the problem to a general enquiry email. I did this stating the situation only to receive an email back saying that i need to contact the British consulate in Australia.

Have you done this ? Is it worth my time as i feel like i am just going around in circles with no one willing to help.

Thanks for posting this! Im glad i am not the only one.

[JAJ]

You are unlikely to get any meaningful advice by calling. They do not do personal consultancy.

Probably the best option is to make a formal application on form NS for a certificate saying you are a British citizen. This can then be used to apply for a passport.

Can you prove the UK-recruited Crown Service position?

A word of warning - be careful about sending away original (non-replaceable) documents as they may well get lost either in transit or at the embassy or Home Office. You may want to send certified copies initially. They will probably want to see originals but perhaps you could then arrange an appointment at a consulate for a consular officer to view them and copy them. Explain everything on a covering letter with the application.

Otherwise - find yourself a good UK immigration solicitor to deal with the application.

[ausgirl]

You are unlikely to get any meaningful advice by calling. They do not do personal consultancy.

Probably the best option is to make a formal application on form NS for a certificate saying you are a British citizen. This can then be used to apply for a passport.

Can you prove the UK-recruited Crown Service position?

A word of warning - be careful about sending away original (non-replaceable) documents as they may well get lost either in transit or at the embassy or Home Office. You may want to send certified copies initially. They will probably want to see originals but perhaps you could then arrange an appointment at a consulate for a consular officer to view them and copy them. Explain everything on a covering letter with the application.

Otherwise - find yourself a good UK immigration solicitor to deal with the application.

I can only prove that both my grandparents worked for the Crown Service. They both receive pensions from the UK for the time they spent working for the Crown in Uganda. Would this be enough ?

Thank you for your help.

[australia1]

Hey ausgirl,

Sorry I've not looked at this thread for a while.

I've got no further with the application - the people on the other end of the phone are particularly unhelpful.

Disappointing to hear you had no luck with that email address, as I write I'm in the middle of bashing out my own questions to send off there.

I'll let you know if I hear anything back, from what I've worked out we are eligible for British citizenship, however, my problem remains proving my grandad / grandma were on Crown service in Uganda. They have not kept any of their letters of appointment etc - why would you?!

JAJ - thanks very much for the heads up about the documents. They are very precious and fragile.

Cheers all and I'll keep you up to date.