Naturlaization MN1 Section 3(1) - Stepfather questions

[Mandi]

First thing to say, this forum has been useful to me for years, thanks.

I'm just preparing the applications for my wife (form AN) and stepdaughter (form MN1). However, I'm a little unclear as to what I should be filling in on the father section, and I can't seem to find any clarification in the notes.

Basically, my wife and stepdaughter (age 12) both have ILR since March 2013. They become eligible to apply for citizenship in a few weeks. NOTE that while I act in all circumstances as the emotional, financial, and in all other ways the father, I am not actually her 'legal' guardian i.e. I have not adopted her and I don't 'technically' have parental responsibility in the eyes of the law. So...

On pages four and five of MN1, it is asking for the father's details. Should I be filling in the section with my details, or her biological father's details (who has no contact and plays no role in her upbringing whatsoever).

Note also that my wife has sole custody, as was agreed on paper at the time of their divorce.

Sorry if this is already in an FAQ somewhere. I did try to look. Thanks.

[CR001]

For the purpose of Citizenship, Step Father details are irrelevant, unless the child has been adopted by the step parent.

You need to leave this section blank, unless her biological father is British.

Your step daughters application for citizenship will be based on the approval of her mother's application.

To add, when I registered my daughter for Citizenship under section 3(1), I did not include her British step father's detail anywhere on the form and neither did I add the detail in 'additional info'.

[Mandi]

That's what I figured. I read the form 10 or 20 times and the guidelines probably more, and it makes sense to leave myself off the MN1 form altogether.

[CR001]

It is best and makes it less complicated. Bear in mind that her mother will need to sign the form on her behalf too.

My daughters approval and certificate was done within about 6/7 weeks, even with a request for clarification on her name, as I had forgotten to write her middle name on the application form and therefore did not quite match her birth certificate and passport.

I did however do my citizenship application 6 months before I applied for my daughter so that I had my naturalisation certificate to send with her app.

Will you be using NCS to submit? It is the best way as you get to keep all your originals papers and passport etc.

[Mandi]

I've been mulling over using the NCS. However, I would resent the money sspent on that, it amounts to around ~10 percent on top of the application fee for them both, which is no small figure of course... It seems like such a waste of money if I can nail the details myself. We won't be needing any of our documents during the application process, so I'd be spending around 160 Pounds just to alleviate any self doubt over my ability to complete the forms.

[CR001]

Fair enough, though I paid roughly £120 as my daughter is over 16 and paid adult NCS fee, but children under 12 is much cheaper and different Councils have different rates, so always good to shop around if you choose this option.

It also reduces the risk of your passports and documents getting lost in the mail system, which for me was very important as to replace my documents from South Africa is a nightmare.

All the best with the applications and keep the forum updated on progress.

Char