UKM Citizenship Application - Questions and Advice?

[Shaun45]

I am in the process of applying for my UKM citizenship at the moment. My application is a bit more complicated and I'll give a brief overview below.

I am a South African citizen, and have been living in South Africa since my birth in 1972. My birth mother was a born British citizen at the time of my birth. She is still a British citizen and has been a resident of South Africa since the mid sixties. She never took South African citizenship. Her father was a born British citizen and her mother was born in South Africa. Her mothers parents (birth mothers grandparents) were born in Ireland and Gibraltar respectively. My birth mothers grandparents (as above) moved to South Africa when they were young where her mother was born.

Now this is where it gets tricky I think...

My mother gave me up for adoption shortly after I was born. I was adopted by a South African couple when I was 8 weeks old. I was registered at birth with another name and the surname of my birth mother. I have the original document showing my name and birth mothers surname at birth. I also have a vault copy of my birth certificate with my original name and birth mothers surname. It also shows her name and surname and indicates place of her birth (London) indicates her as a British citizen. I have all the original adoption documents and documents showing my name changing to my new names and family surname. I have the birth certificates of my birth mother, her parents, and her parents marriage certificate. I also have a notarised copy of my birth mothers UK passport. I have included a family tree and cover letter explaining the above.

I don't foresee any problems as this application is pretty straightforward as much as it is complicated regarding my adoption. The only concern I have is that my birth mothers mother was born and was a citizen of South Africa. Her mothers parents got married in the UK but got divorced years later where her and my birth mother started a new life in South Africa. Her mothers parents were however born in Ireland and Gibraltar respectively as explained earlier. Will the fact that my birth mothers mother being born and a citizen of South Africa have any impact on my application?

Any advice or experiences will be appreciated.

[JAJ]

If your mother was born in the U.K. and acquired British citizenship by birth (Citizenship of the U.K. and Colonies at the time) then the status of your grandparents should be irrelevant.

Bring adopted out does not change eligibility for UKM registration as long as the relationship with the birth mother can be evidenced.

Are you saying your birth mother's parents were born in Ireland, or grandparents? If one of her parents was Irish born you may also have an option to register as an Irish citizen.

Also note that if you want to keep your South African citizenship, as I understand it, you need permission in advance from the Department of Home Affairs to become a British citizen. This is normally granted, but must be requested.

[Shaun45]

Thank you for the reply. My birth mothers grandfather was born in Ireland. Her father was born in London, UK. I applied for and received a certificate of exemption from the South African Department of Home Affairs. It basically says that I won't loose my SA citizenship on acquiring UK citizenship. Regarding my adoption I do have all the original documentation to prove my relationship with my birth mother.

Regarding the registration payment...How I understand it is that you fill in the payment slip with the correct amount of £ 80 (ceremony fee) and send this with the application. Is this correct?

Secondly...once the application is approved I get a letter to go for bio metrics. How much does this cost and must I send of the bio metrics myself or does the place that does it for me send it off?

Regarding referees...One of my referees is a life long friend who is also a British citizen. The other referee is my ex boss that has known me for many years. He is a registered professional mechanical engineer. Are these referees acceptable?

Thank you for all the advice. Much appreciated.

[JAJ]

It sounds like your birth mother could register as an Irish citizen by descent if she wished, but unless by some chance she did so before 1987, you are not eligible.

For the logistics of a UKM application, start with the Home Office guide:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... r_2015.pdf