BC for my wife

[Osuramman]

Hi,

I am an Indian citizen. I got my ILR last year July 26 ( 4 years WP). I am eligible for BC from July 26th 2005. My wife and my kid also got their ILR on the same day as I got.

When I apply for BC, can I apply for my wife and kid at the same time?. She has stayed in UK for around 4 years and she fulfills all the criteria. She is also from India. Is it a rule that first I have to get my British Passport and then I have to apply for them based on the fact that I am a British Citizen.Can somebody please throw some light on this?

Also, regarding the proof for English knowledge, is it enough that my Engineering college Marksheet for all the 8 semesters has a wording at the top which says the Medium of Instruction is english or should I give a separate sheet?

I have booked my BN checking service on July 27th 2005.

Thanks in advance.

[John]

As I read what you say your wife has ILR but has only been in the UK "for around four years", and by definition she is not currently married to a British Citizen. Accordingly, as she has not been in the UK for at least five years she is not yet time-qualified to apply.

However, for your child, the same criteria does not apply. Accordingly, on your application form, you are entitled to include your child in Section 2 of the form. Then when you are granted Naturalisation your child will be granted Registration as a British Citizen.

Your wife? When can she apply? Well as soon as you have your Certificate of Naturalisation, hey, you are British! And therefore your wife is married to a British Citizen! And as someone who will then be married to a British Citizen she will be time-qualified to apply on the basis of three years, not five.

That is, as soon as you have your Certificate of Naturalisation your wife can submit her own Naturalisation application.

The English language query? I suspect that the document you mention .... clearly issued by the University? ...... will be sufficient for the purpose.

[Osuramman]

Hi John,

Thanks very much for your quick reply.

Regarding my kid, he was not born here in UK. He was born in India. Is he still eligible for Naturalisation when I apply for the same.

[John]

Even if the child was not born in the UK you should still go ahead and include him in Section 2 of your form AN(NEW).

But you ask :-

Is he still eligible for Naturalisation when I apply for the same.

-: and the answer is "No!". He will not be naturalised as British .. he will be Registered as British, on that back of your Naturalisation. That is, he will get a Certificate of Registration, not a Certificate of Naturalisation.

The practical difference between Naturalisation and Registration once granted? In effect, none at all.

But in the application process there are differences. A good example would be that someone applying for naturalisation needs to consider the English language aspect, but one to be granted Registration does not. In other words, you need have no concerns about whether your son needs to pass the English test requirement.

[Osuramman]

Hi John,

Many thanx for that info. One final question. When can I apply BC for my child? Is it the same criteria as my wife?

[John]

With respect, for the third time, you enter your son's details in Section 2 of your form AN(NEW), that is your application form that you will use when you apply for naturalisation.

As you already have a date booked with the checking service you have no doubt already at least started to complete that form AN(NEW). So just look at Section 2 !

Entering the child in Section 2 of your form will not delay your application for naturalisation. As I posted at 11.45.am (UK time) your wife cannot apply yet.

Finally, if your son's details are entered into Section 2, don't forget to take additional evidence along to the checking service .... his birth certificate (and if not in English, a translation into English as well), and also his passport. And do appreciate that the total application fee money will increase by £200.

[John]

Hi, just realised that :-

She has stayed in UK for around 4 years

-: in your opening post could be ambiguous.

Can I ask, when did your wife first come to the UK? At the same time as you? Or later?

Indeed, when did you first arrive in the UK? When did your wife first arrive in the UK?

You say your son was born in India. Any other children born since, in the UK, who you have not yet Registered as British? If so, certainly include them on your form AN(NEW) as well.