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How to apply for Citizenship and am i eligible?

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:02 am
by oliver.fisher
My mother has both Australian and British citizenship. I was born in Australia in 1993 and wish to apply for British Citizenship, which application form do i use? Also if you also know how much it costs to apply that would also be very helpful. I apologise if this has been covered by other people numerous times before

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:27 am
by Jambo
1. What year was your mother born?
2. Was she born in the UK or abroad? If abroad, did she ever lived in the UK?
3. Were your parents married at the time of your birth?

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:40 am
by oliver.fisher
1. Born in 1961

2. She was born in Germany, but my Grandfather was posted there by the British army at the time.

3. My parents were married at the time of my birth.

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 9:22 am
by Jambo
If born abroad, you normally can't pass British citizenship to your children. Also, as you are over 18 now, some routes to BC are now closed to you so I don't think you are eligible.

You should be eligible for an ancestry visa which will allow you to live and work in the UK and after 6 years apply for a BC.

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:48 pm
by oliver.fisher
I was under the impression that since my Mother was born abroad whilst my Grandfather was employed under crown service. She is counted as being a British citizen otherwise than by descent. Meaning that i can get citizenship by descent.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:50 am
by Jambo
You are right. My mistake. See section 14 (2) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

In that case, there is no citizenship to apply for as it was acquired at birth and you would be British already. In that case you can apply directly for a passport but you will need to prove your claim namely evidence that your grandfather was stationed under crown service.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:31 am
by oliver.fisher
Thank you so much for your help, so i just need to apply for a passport and i don't need to register as a citizen?

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:00 am
by Jambo
No. Unlike Australia, there is no need to apply for UK citizenship by decent. You either acquire it automatically at birth or not (with one exception which is not relevant to your case).

The first passport application will take several weeks while your claim is examined.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:27 am
by oliver.fisher
Thank you, now all i have to do is try and find some proof of the crown service. I think i also need my mothers original birth certificate which i think is lost so i'll contact the passport people and see what they suggest.