British Citizenship by Decent

[BigguyCalgary]

Hi All,

I am trying to get answers to questions about British Citizenship by Decent. Every site I've gone to has just caused me confusion, so I'll post here and hope to get the answers I need.

I'm a Canadian, born before 1983. My parents were married. My father was born and raised in London, England and my mother was French-Canadian. Now, trying to dig through the sites, there's talk about being born before 1983 to a British mother and being born before 2006 to an unwed British father. In my case, I was born before 1983 to a married British Father.

I believe I have all the forms to go with my application. I have my father's birth certificate and my own long form birth certificate identifying my father. So, I'm asking, am I eligible for British Citizenship by Decent? If so, what application form do I use? At one point I was directed to form UKF, which I believe was the one for being born before 2006 to an unwed father. Any help you folks can give me would be great.

Further, it was suggested to me by someone that I am already a British Citizen by Decent and I don't have to apply for this, that all I need to do is apply for my British Passport. Is this true? As I say, at this point I'm confused.

Cheers,
BigguyCalgary

[secret.simon]

I am already a British Citizen by Decent and I don't have to apply for this, that all I need to do is apply for my British Passport.

Correct.

Apply for a British passport overseas.

You will need
a) your father's British birth certificate
b) your parents' marriage certificate
c) your birth certificate

[BigguyCalgary]

I am already a British Citizen by Decent and I don't have to apply for this, that all I need to do is apply for my British Passport.

Correct.

Apply for a British passport overseas.

You will need
a) your father's British birth certificate
b) your parents' marriage certificate
c) your birth certificate

Thanks for the quick response. This is great news. One other question that's come up. I had a look through the site you identified about. One of the requirements it mentions if the Passport numbers of my parents. To be honest, both my parents are gone, and if they did have passports, I have no idea where they are but I'm sure they are expired. My mother passed away in 1997 and my father in 1975. Do I still have to track them down?

Cheers,
Bigguy

[CR001]

No need for passports numbers if you don't have them. Just write 'details not known'.

[BigguyCalgary]

I'm sorry I keep asking things, but I just want to make sure this thing goes through with the least amount of hitches. So, I have one more question concerning the Passport Application. I've been reading through the guidance guide and where they talk about supporting documents like birth certificates and such they make this comment:

"Send us original or replacement documents. Unless stated, we do not accept photocopies or certified copies of documents, or documents that have been laminated."

My full length birth certificate and my parent's marriage certificate, which I applied for through the Ontario Government are labeled at the top as "Certified A True Photostatic Print of a Record". My father's birth certificate, which I got through the General Register Office of the British Government, has "Certified Copy Of An Entry Of Birth" at the top of it.

Does the statement from the guide I quoted make all my supporting documents invalid?

Cheers,
BigguyCalgary

[CR001]

These will be fine as they are issued from official government sources.

What the extract you quote means is a certified photocopy by a notary for example.

[BigguyCalgary]

Oh, I see. Thanks. I was thinking that this one statement could make getting a British Passport almost impossible. I just couldn't see one government office not accepting documents from other government offices. Thanks again. I just wanted to make sure because that quote seemed a little strange.