Update: I was finally able to go visit the embassy in Washington D.C. in June 2021. How do I get British citizenship by descent? A native Finnish citizen is a person who has received Finnish citizenship at birth. Can I get British citizenship through my grandparents? Fast turn around time and prompt communication throughout. Well, most people who are eligible for UK passports qualify for British citizenship by descent, meaning either you, one or both of your parents were born in the United Kingdom. This means you would be required to apply for British citizenship by descent and will be eligible providing you meet guidelines to qualify. Our team is also always there should you have any questions or concerns and we keep you updated on every step of the process. Our teams in the UK, South Africa and Australia can ensure that when you decide to move Very proactive and responds quickly. Luckily I didn't take their word for it so I called the local embassy and in fact, I was eligible. Can I get a British passport if my grandparents were born in Scotland? Jade Robinson Apr 7, 2021. Its not the grant of ones citizenship. I was dreading the prospect of renewing my passport but with terrific service from these guys it was smooth and. A friend of mine's husband just got his UK citizenship by descent and he doesn't have to go back to the embassy in person for his passport. 16th Floor Step #1: Determine if you have ancestry that could lead to citizenship by descent Step #2: Determine if you are eligible Step #3: Gather all the required documents Step #4: Submit your application Obtaining citizenship through ancestry is usually straightforward. The center of the Scotland DNA ethnicity region ranges from just south of Newburgh, Fife Parish, and extends north to the Orkney Islands. Citizenship by descent, or citizenship by ancestry, is one of those options. Unless the parents are foreign diplomats, the child generally becomes a citizen of the U.S. (in addition to the country-of-residence of their parents). Factors that must be considered are when you were born, when your parent was born, if they were born inside or outside the UK, how your parents(s) became British and more. Check your eligibility if you were born: on or after 1 July 2006. between 1983 and June 2006. before . In order to apply for British citizenship by descent (grandparent), you will initially have to apply for British Citizenship. And the law simply does not recognize grandchildren of U.S. citizens as having a qualifying relationship for I-130 filing and green-card eligibility purposes. I could not have asked for better service. Is it possible for a South African to inherit British citizenship through a great-grandparent? They are well worth the price. Ready to apply for your British passport? Youre a woman who was married to a British man before the year 1949. The rules around eligibility for British citizenship by descent vary depending on when you were born and the circumstances of your parent/s or grandparent/s at the time of your birth. So if you have a child under 18 and you have these UK connections, even if its a great grandparent, or you have these connections to a previous UK colony, its so important to fill out the assessment and give as much detail as possible. Even refunded because I paid for my own express delivery. Can I get a British passport if my grandfather was British? Absolute brilliant service. MP: Absolutely. Imagine, if you can claim citizenship for a European country that is a member of the EU. leading provider of British passport application and renewal services from, British Passport renewal from South Africa. This includes: If you were born outside of the UK and claim to have a UK-born grandparent, you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by descent (double descent) depending on your circumstances. If your parent is classed as a British Citizen you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by descent. The process costs about $250 and requires an American passport, applicant's birth certificate, birth certificate of a parent and an affidavit of citizenship from a parent. extremely impressed with the assistance provided by Shaun Weldon (British Passport Consultant). In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about British citizenship by descent. Can a child born outside the UK become a British citizen? We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals. Children who were adopted as minors are considered direct descendants as well. With no future travel plans, this wasn't going to. If a child is looking to claim British Citizenship by double descent before the age of 18, there are particular circumstances that can make them eligible: There are a number of situations where you can qualify for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) under this scenario. Mishal? We are a professional services company that specialises in cross-border financial and immigration advice and solutions. Be careful though, as each country has specific rules, application. Yes, as long as you hold a full British passport, you are considered to be a British citizen and can travel in and out of the UK as much as you want. Prove that youre able to support yourself whilst be accommodated in the UK. Before you can begin this application, you must be registered or naturalized as a British citizen. that agent was not responding well! Highly efficient, fast, service, with no hidden extra costs. But at this stage, now we have the main applicant having Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent, which actually originated all the way from his great-grandfather's birth in the UK. And so, on 1 January 1983, unknown to him, obviously, he was reclassified automatically as a full British citizen and, hence, should be holding a British passport in the modern day. You can obtain a residence permit in Finland if at least one of your parents or grandparents is or has been a native Finnish citizen. Likewise, anyone born in Scotland but resident elsewhere will automatically have Scottish citizenship at the date of independence. South Africa at that point, was also part of the UK colonies. I was very skeptical, but it went smoothly. In this particular scenario, we dont have movement of people. Both the UK and US allow dual citizenship so Americans who would like to apply for British citizenship are able to maintain both citizenships. L-1B Visa (Specialized Knowledge Workers), P2 Visa (Reciprocal Exchange Program Performers), Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, Canada PR Pathways for Hong Kong Citizens, Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). 8. pkroks 3 days ago. The case has arisen as a result of a recent change in the British law that now allows claims to come down the maternal side of the family. While it's common to qualify for citizenship by descent, usually a great-grandparent is a degree too far. New York Include (1) Proof Of Residency document (utility bills, bank statements, lease) Pay Application Fee via Cashiers Check or Money Order Mail Everything to the nearest Irish Consulate How Much Did Everything Cost? Mishal Patel:Welcome. Have at least one parent who was a French citizen at your time of birth. If British Citizenship by descent is not appropriate for your situation and a visa route is something you are considering, you can find out about UK visas routes for Americans by visiting UK immigration advice for U.S. citizens. Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006 could qualify for British citizenship through descent, even if they were born outside of the UK (but to a British-born mother). This is the first in a series of episodes we'll be doing on routes to British nationality for South Africans. You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK. Your (British-born) grandfather was in crown service at the time of your relevant parents birth, You or a parent were born in a former British colony, Your parent had a British-born mother, non-British father and was registered as a British citizen between February 2nd and December 31st, 1982, You/your parent was born in a former British territory (this excludes main Commonwealth countries of 1949), You/your parent was a registered British citizen, Your parent was in crown service when you were born, Your parents were married before 1949 and your paternal grandfather was born in Britain, Your maternal grandfather was born in the UK and you were born outside the EEA, You and your parent were not in a Commonwealth country (must have been born before 1915), You or your parent were born in a former British territory, Your grandparent or parent was married to a British man before 1949. And this South African family approached us because the father had made an application for his childs British passport that got refused on the basis that he was British by descent and had a child born outside of the UK. More info Have at least one parent who was a Slovakian citizen at the time of your birth. Would highly recommend. Now, I wont go into it in too much detail, but these connections meant the paternal grandfather was actually British other than by descent on 1 January 1983. They will advise you on the best route towards British Citizenship, working closely to support your family and preparing a robust application. It is a UK grandparent who can give the Right of Abode to those who are Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, as our gentleman was. At first seemed like an expensive option, but I can confirm it's 100% worth the. Yes, you can confirm your Polish citizenship by descent after your great-grandparent, but it is important to also locate evidence . MyBritishPassport is a leading provider of British passport application and renewal services from abroad. How can you apply for British citizenship by double descent? Our monthly newsletter with all the news and important updates, delivered to your inbox, Cape Town One parent must have been a Croatian citizen at the time of birth, but you must have been registered with the Croatian government before your 18th birthday. 2 Can I move to Scotland if my grandfather was born there? Were available in-person, via the phone, or online. I highly recommend them. money. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So he would have acquired not just his great-grandfather's (or through that connection Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies status, but also, through his paternal grandmother, he would have also held Right of Abode. Claims by triple descent (i.e. Now, he carried on having those two statuses until 1 January 1983, which I mentioned earlier the date the current British Nationality Act came into force. MyBritishPassport.Everything was handled professionally and politely. Very professional and helpful if I had issues. His son, the person who was British by descent, was born in South Africa. paying the extra for! You can read more about applying for citizenship based on Irish descent or associations on the ISD website. All direct descendants of a persecuted ancestor are eligible, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It might be the ideal place for a second or retirement home. CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT Time to Polish Citizenship: 1-2 years Polish Citizenship Application Costs: Approximately 300 Eligibility: Polish great-grandparent, grandparent, or at least one parent Visa-Free Access to 180+ Countries Acquiring Dual Citizenship Allowed: Yes LEARN MORE GET IRISH CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT Time to Irish Citizenship: 1 year And this registration does not require the child to be resident in the UK or to have spent any time there. We're here for you in person, over the phone, and via Skype. In order to qualify for British citizenship by descent, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. The MOST helpful service from Christa, an absolute GEM. The process is the same as applying for citizenship through a parent. I was given easy to follow step by step. British Passport Renewal from New Zealand. You can apply for an Irish passport without making an application for citizenship. +27 (0) 31 536 8844, London I provided all of my paperwork and the visit went quite smoothly. Laws frequently change so if your country is on this list, your next stop should be contacting your local embassy. What are the differences between group & component? Have at least one parent who was a British citizen at the time of your birth. Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, would qualify for UK citizenship as long as their father is considered to be a British citizen. But you can register that child born out of the UK, if one of the fathers relevant parents (the childs grandparents) was British other than by descent on 1 January 1983. British Citizenship by Descent (Grandparent) UK immigration rules allow an automatic claim to British Citizenship if you have a grandparent (and, in rare cases, a great-grandparent) born in the UK. So, again, the grandfather is also a British subject, just like his father, our great-grandfather. Limerick They should be able to tell you whether you're eligible or not. What is the alternative to British Citizenship by descent (grandparent)? No he doesn't qualify (has to be his grandparent at a minimum). Scottish, Welsh, and Irish. People who have extensive ancestry in this area find, on average, to have more than 75% of their DNA matching the Scotland region. It was my first time to use a third party to renew my british passport. More info One parent must be an Austrian citizen with some specific requirements. UK immigration rules allow an automatic claim to British Citizenship if you have a grandparent (and, in rare cases, a great-grandparent) born in the UK. Excellent service.Queries responded to quickly.Makes the overall process far less stressful. Great job. Have at least one parent or grandparent who was a Czech or Czechoslovak citizen. Have at least one parent who is a Mexican citizen born in Mexico. Their service is outstanding! What was the architecture like in ancient Rome? In other words a UK passport. To avoid confusion and to streamline your application, MyBritishPassport can assist you with every aspect of the process. In this example, the person was born before 1983. I hesitated briefly, but realised that this was the best solution for me to renew my passport. Many countries let you claim citizenship if your parents, grandparents or in some cases great grandparents were born in said country. TV: So in general with great-grandparents, its not enough to just have a great-grandparent who was born in the UK and the rest of your family was born in South Africa. In addition, you can visit any EU country without a visa for up to 90 days. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. United Kingdom Passport Renewal from abroad: Tips for 2023, your father was born or naturalized in the United Kingdom, your mother was born or naturalized in the United Kingdom, you were born abroad but one or both of your maternal grandparents were born in the United Kingdom (this would qualify you for British citizenship by double descent). Perfect for those living in the US.,This is a very efficient service. Suddenly all countries in the EU are open to you relocating for the long term. MP:In this instance, it was a great-grandmother born in the UK. Can you inherit UK citizenship if you have a British great-grandparent? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Citizenship for those born in another country is unusual in that it requires registration in the Records of a Municipality of the Hellenic Republic. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Were available in-person, via the phone or online. However, certain circumstances have to be met by the parents, as the Czech Republic enacted specific rules of law which can limit the . Their service was exceptional. Passport swiftly and without any hassle whatsoever! So, when he approached us, you know, we were quite flabbergasted about all of this and no doubt he was as well! Born in South Africa (British Subject) and married a British woman who was born in the UK. Have at least one parent who was a Singaporean citizen at the time of your birth. Responses were prompt, and instructions easy to follow. Thanks for making the passport renewal process so simple and efficient. +27 (0) 21 657 2120, Durban Your child or yourself could have a claim. If relevant, they can also assess eligibility for citizenship by descent through a parent, or any other route that may be applicable to you, such as the British Citizenship by double descent route or the UK Ancestry Visa. Now, we will start again, as we did with the other scenario, with the great-grandparent first. You can claim British citizenship by double descent if you have a grandparent (and in rare cases a great-grandparent) born in the UK. I would highly recommend MBP to anyone looking for their passports to be renewed. It can be done while the child is in South Africa and the child will get a British passport. Very happy with the service. We are a team of experienced consultants who are here to help you with all aspects of your British Passport application. People who were born before 1 January 1983 but outside of the UK to a British-born father would qualify for UK nationality as long as their parents were married at the time of their birth. So the short answer is, yes, you can inherit British citizenship if youre South African and you have a great-grandparent born in the UK, but its not as easy as if you have a grandparent or parent born in the UK. Pass the Good character requirement this means you should not have committed immigration fraud or been convicted of any serious crimes. This is an area that is too complex to document on one page, as an ancestry analysis would need to be conducted by an immigration expert in order to determine if you are eligible via the descent route. I dealt with Carla and she was amazing! Have at least one parent or grandparent who was a Slovenian citizen. As UK citizenship rules are complex, call us on +1 844 290 6312 for help to ascertain if you are eligible to claim British citizenship by descent (grandparent). So we had a gentleman approach us. Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals. More info Have a Chilean parent who can prove one of their parents or grandparents was granted Chilean citizenship by birth or naturalization. But as you said, its very rare. Fast and efficient. So that's scenario one that we came across, that we're still gonna go ahead and apply for that chaps British passport. It's a much more complex route. 5 Tips for a Smooth UK Passport Application Process. The information provided on this page can help you find out how to get British Citizenship by descent through your Grandparent. This is known as double descent. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. No country will grant you citizenship based on the results of a DNA test alone. If you, or your parent, were born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005, your right to Irish citizenship depends on: Tel: 0131 334 0380 Find My Past Carry out some free ancestry searches here, like Scottish records from 1700 to 1990, and marriages, births and christenings from 1553 - 1875. Answer (1 of 12): The answer to this common question is no. This can save you a lot of money, hassle and time in terms of visa applications. This is known as British Citizenship by descent, or more specifically, British Citizenship by double descent. contact a member of the MyBritishPassport team. Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. A gentleman name Shaun gave me precise updates along the way which took the stress out of. We will answer all of your questions, including: What is British citizenship by descent? You have the option to apply directly on the government website, however, our services exist to prevent the risk of possibly losing your government fees if your application is rejected or delayed for too long. Contact us today to see how we can help you! Wonderful service from Carla who made the process so easyThank youAmanda. We're available in-person, via the phone, or online. OL9 6QR Apostilled copies are certified by the Secretary of State, Get my birth certificate and marriage certificate translated by an embassy-approved translator. it. The following table may help to explain the situation: Other Irish ancestors These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Find out more about citizenship by descent and whether you could be eligible. Can I become a Scottish citizen if my grandfather was born there? How far in advance can I renew my UK Passport? Each application for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) will be assessed by UKVI on an individual basis. Have at least one parent who was a German citizen at your time of birth, though there may be other exceptions to allow for citizenship. Children under the age of 18 will need to claim citizenship before the age of 18 or they will lose all rights to British nationality. British citizenship by descent is when a person born abroad is able to acquire citizenship through the immigration status of one or both parents. I have . IAS Head Office USA with prompt communication and efficient courier collection and delivery. According to Dutch nationality law you can qualify for Dutch citizenship via your parents if they were Dutch at the time of your birth. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 3 How long can a US citizen stay in Scotland? Can I get Irish citizenship if my grandparents were Irish? Those born outside Scotland to at least one parent who has Scottish citizenship - this appears to be modelled on the Irish system, allowing citizenship by descent where an overseas birth is registered in Scotland. One parent must be a Australian citizen at the time of your birth. Are you eligible to claim British citizenship by descent? This is also known as citizenship by birth. I can happily recommend them! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Basically, if you have a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or other ancestors who were born in another country, you may be able to claim citizenship. To be granted nationality rights in any country, you need legal proof that a parent or grandparent was a citizen. Yes, absolutely. In other words, if your goal is to live in France . More info Have at least one parent who was an American citizen at the time of your birth. Your IAS immigration lawyer will assess your eligibility for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent). If you were born outside of the UK, you may still be eligible for British citizenship by descent if your parent was a British citizen at the time of your birth. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. My wife's British Passport was renewed professionally and hassle-free. Regent Square, Doncaster Road, Kenilworth, 7708 Have a Swedish parent at the time of your birth. It could be your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even further ancestor.