Form NS - Confirmation of British Nationality Status

Hi,

I am an ILR holder. My son was born last month in the UK. As I understand, he is automatically a British Citizen at birth.

I do not intend to apply for a British Passport for him as I would like him to travel on passport issued by the same country as myself, since the authorities of my country do not allow dual citizenship.

I would like to give him the option to decide for himself when he is older, whether to apply for his British Passport. Because of this, I would like to have hard evidence which I can lock in a safe to confirm his status as a British Citizen at birth. The Right of Abode is an option. However, not only it costs twice that of Form NS, it also expires when the passport expires!

Questions on Form NS,

1) Where on form NS do I explain that the child's British Citizenship is obtained by virtue of him being born to a mother that was settled in the UK? The form is full of columns for ancestry related questions and nothing on settled status.

2) How long does this query usually take? This should be a straight forward status check.

3) Can I send a certified copy of my passport (first page and ILR page) instead of the original in case I need to travel?

4) Do I have to send anything else other than proof of my ILR and my son's full birth certificate?

Many thanks

Having or not having a British passport doesn't change the fact that he is a British citizen. A passport is just a travel document which confirms the holder citizenship.

So depending on the rules of the other nationality, he might have legally lost that nationality already. Some countries require their citizens living in the UK to provide a confirmation from the HO that they have not obtained British citizenship when renewing a passport. I know people who fly back to their home country just to avoid this procedure (and by doing so are holding two passports illegally).

Why having a confirmation on a piece of paper would differ from having an actual British passport as confirmation? It's not dual passports that is not allowed. It is dual nationality.

Jambo, thanks. Have considered that and am aware of the implications of dual citizenship which is covered at length in other posts and also that British passport does not confer nationality but as mere proof. To add, as i understand, if one has a british passport he/she has to travel into the uk with the british passport (may be wrong here). But thanks for taking time to reply.

My questions on form NS however still remain unanswered.

There is no requirement to enter Britain with a British passport if you are British.

Not familiar with the NS form at all. Sorry.

Thanks again jambo.

Has anyone submitted form NS please who can help me out with my questions?

Not many people use form NS.

If the form is not adequate, use the free-text section or add a covering letter with your circumstances.

As they have your immigration file they should be able to look it up without needing to see originals. You can always offer to travel to Liverpool to show them the originals if they need them.


BY THE WAY - your problem will be that your son will not get an immigration stamp in his passport and this will cause problems every time he tries to re-enter the UK. If you don't want him to have a British passport then I don't think there's any real alternative to the ROA stamp, unless he has an EEA/Swiss state passport.

What is the other country involved? - Malaysia?

Thanks JAJ (See PM).