The UK has one of the most complex systems of nationality in the world. There are six different forms of nationality, whereas in most countries there is a single type of nationality. The most important of these six nationality statuses is British Citizenship.

Registration as  a British Citizen is for British nationals- adults and children- who are not already citizens. However, it is usually a common route taken by children. An application for Registration is usually made on the basis of entitlement but it may also be made on a discretionary basis Indeed many more applications are made on a discretionary basis than on entitlement.

A popular myth about a child born in the UK is that the child will automatically be a British Citizen. This is not always the case as there are many factors to be considered including the immigration status of each parent and, in the case of temporary status, whether either parent acquires Indefinite Leave to Remain or acquires British citizenship even in the years after the child is born.

At Hudson Legal we have been instructed to prepare many applications for children who are living abroad but are eligible to be registered as British Citizens by descent, where they acquire citizenship through a British parent.

Other applications that we have dealt with include those for children who were adopted in the UK or abroad.