Citizenship by descent or ancestry: UK guide

If you have a British parent (or grandparent, in some cases!) you may be eligible for British citizenship through citizenship by descent. With British citizenship, you have the right to reside in the UK permanently and can come and go freely from the country. You’ll also have access to the National Health Service.

Considering becoming a UK national through citizenship by descent? Here’s everything you need to know about the process, including who is eligible, how to apply for citizenship by descent, and the costs involved.

If you’re applying for British citizenship from overseas, a Wise account can help you save on fees, especially if you need to pay for the application in a different currency.

What is citizenship by descent?

British citizenship by descent, also known as citizenship by ancestry, means you can become a UK citizen because one (or sometimes both) of your parents were citizens of the country when you were born. Put simply, instead of getting citizenship by being born here, you can inherit it through your family.

In some cases, you may be eligible for British citizenship through a British grandparent. This is known as British citizenship by double descent. Not to be confused with dual citizenship in the UK!

How British citizenship by descent works

Eligibility for British citizenship by descent depends on when you were born and the status of your parents at the time of your birth.

To show evidence of your British nationality by descent, you will need to provide your full birth certificate and proof of your parent’s British citizenship (such as their birth or naturalisation certificate). You may also need to provide your parents’ marriage certificate if they are married.

Who is eligible?

Your eligibility for applying for British citizenship by descent varies depending on your birth date.

Before 1983

You may automatically be a British citizen if you were born outside of the UK before 1 January 1983, and your father was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies. He must also have been married to your mother.¹

Your father can pass on his British citizenship to you if he meets one of the following criteria:

• Born or adopted in the UK
• Given citizenship after applying for it in his own right (not based on having a British parent)
• Working as a Crown servant when you were born

If your parents weren’t married when you were born, or your mother was British (not your father), you will still be eligible to apply for British citizenship, provided they meet the points above.² You can find more information about how to apply later in the article.

Between 1983 and June 2006

You are automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK between 1983 and 30th June 2006, and your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born.³ Your parents must have been married if your father had British citizenship, but your mother did not.

Your British mother or father could pass on their British citizenship to you if they were:

• Born or adopted in the UK
• Given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)
• Working as a Crown servant when you were born

If your British father wasn’t married to your mother when you were born, you may be eligible to apply for citizenship provided he meets one of the points above.⁴ There’s more information about the application process a little later.

On or after 1 July 2006

If you were born outside the UK on or after July 1st 2006 and one of your parents was a British citizen, you will automatically become one too.⁵ To be able to pass on their British citizenship, your parent must have been:

• Born or adopted in the UK
• Given citizenship after applying for it in their own right (not based on having a British parent)
• Working as a Crown servant when you were born

Note that if your father was a British citizen but your mother was married to someone else at the time of your birth, you may not automatically have British citizenship. In this case, you can apply for citizenship using form UKF on the GOV.UK website.⁶

If you’re not eligible for automatic British citizenship by descent, you may still be eligible for citizenship if you meet one of the following scenarios:⁷

• You have lived with your parents in the UK
• Your British parent lived in the country before you were born
• You were adopted outside the UK
• Your father was a British citizen when you were born and your mother was married to somebody else at the time
• You were born in the UK and your father had indefinite leave to remain in the country at this time, and your mother was married to someone else

You can find further details about these scenarios on the GOV.UK website.

Applying for citizenship by descent if you have a British parent

If you meet the main requirements in the relevant category above, you will automatically qualify for British citizenship by descent. All you have to do is apply for a letter to confirm your British citizenship. You’ll also be able to apply for a British passport – great stuff.

If you don’t meet the standard requirements but are still eligible for British citizenship, you will need to register your citizenship. To do this, follow the steps below:⁸

1. Complete the relevant online application form on GOV.UK.
2. Make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.
3. Provide evidence documents by uploading copies onto the GOV.UK online service or getting them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment.

You can also register for British citizenship via post with a paper application form. If you live in the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or a British overseas territory, you have to apply by post or in person. Your governor’s office will advise you on the best course of action.⁹

You’ll typically get a decision on your application for British citizenship by descent within 6 months, however some applications can take longer.¹⁰

How much does it cost?

There are several fees when it comes to applying for citizenship if you do not automatically qualify. We’ve put them all in a handy table below.

If you are under 18 and cannot afford to pay the application fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver for your citizenship application.

There is no fee for providing your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) at your UKVCAS appointment.¹⁴

If you automatically qualify for British citizenship by descent and want to apply for a British passport in the UK, you can do so online. An online application costs £88.50. Alternatively, you can apply with a paper form for £100.¹⁵

You can find information about the process for applying for a British passport overseas on the GOV.UK website.

Paying for your citizenship or new passport

Whether you’re registering for British citizenship by descent or applying for a new passport as a UK citizen, it’s worth being aware of the fees associated with the process.

Having a multi-currency account, like Wise, allows you to pay in GBP and save on fees if you’re applying from outside the UK. Find out how you can spend, send and save in 40+ currencies within just one account using Wise today.

Your Wise account awaits 🌍

Sources used in this article:

1. Gov.UK - British citizenship by descent, born before 1983
2. Gov.UK - Born before 1983, parents not married
3. Gov.UK - British citizenship by descent, born between 1983 and June 2006
4. Gov.UK - Born between 1983 and June 2006, father not married to mother
5. Gov.UK - British citizenship by descent, born on or after 1 July 2006
6. Gov.UK - Born on or after 1 July 2006, mother married to someone else at time of birth
7. Gov.UK - Born on or after 1 July 2006, other ways to be eligible for citizenship
8. Gov.UK - Applying for British citizenship if not automatically qualified
9. Gov.UK - Applying from the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or a British overseas territory
10. Gov.UK - How long does an application take
11. Gov.UK - Fee for those born before 1983
12. Gov.UK - Fee for those born between 1983 and June 2006
13. Gov.UK - Fee for those born on or after 1 July 2006
14. Gov.UK - Fee for providing biometric information
15. Gov.UK - Passport application fees

Sources last checked: 4th March 2025