MN1 - when to register my kids?

[McB]

Hi!

I am a British citizen, although I have been living in the US with my American wife since 2008. Our kids were born in 2013 and 2015, and we recently decided that we are going to move back to the UK next year (summer 2017).

Paperwork for my wife's visa is already underway, but we will also need to register our kids as British citizens (form MN1 - application for registration of a child under 18 as a British citizen). I guess I am just wondering what the best way to go about this process would be. For those of you who have been through it already, would I be better off taking care of that now from the US, or waiting till we actually move back to the UK? Would it actually be possible for my family to move back without registering the kids first? The reason I ask is that the whole process of emigrating is expensive enough as it is, and if we had the option of postponing the almost-£2000 payment required to register two kids that might make things a bit more manageable for us in the short term. However, I'm not sure if there would be legal ramifications for not registering the kids right away, or if there would be any other potential drawbacks I'm not thinking of. Instinctively I'd rather take care of everything now, but it might be quite nice if we had the option to wait a few months to settle down after moving.

What do people think? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[vinny]

What is the basis of your British citizenship?
When and where did you acquire it?

It's probable that your children are already British.

[McB]

What is the basis of your British citizenship?
When and where did you acquire it?

It's probable that your children are already British.

I'm British by birth, so you're right, my kids are already British. However, I still need to register them, don't I? There will be no record of them as UK citizens otherwise. That would be amazing if I didn't have to do anything, but I don't think I can be so lucky!

[vinny]

British children cannot register on MN1.

They may

(i) apply for confirmation of nationality; or/and
(ii) apply for consular birth registrations; or/and
Either (iii) apply for British passports; or
(iv) apply for CoE-RoA.

[McB]

British children cannot register on MN1.

They may

(i) apply for confirmation of nationality; or/and
(ii) apply for consular birth registrations; or/and
Either (iii) apply for British passports; or
(iv) apply for CoE-RoA.

Well, that certainly seems like a lot less hassle. I'm glad I checked in with you guys. Thank you so much!

It seems like I can get the ball rolling on the first two now, and then apply for their passports once we're back in the UK permanently.

Thanks again!

[vinny]

The first two are also optional.

[Richard W]

It seems like I can get the ball rolling on the first two now, and then apply for their passports once we're back in the UK permanently.

Indeed, it would be better to apply for their British passports now. Strictly speaking, they shouldn't be allowed to enter the UK without British passports, as they'll be entering for settlement, not visit.

[ohara]

There's no need to apply for nationality status or birth registration. You can apply for a British passport for your children providing theirs and yours and I believe your parents birth certificates which will show they are British citizens by descent.