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By Descent or Not?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 11:39 am
by SgtBellPepper
Hi all,

Information needed (purely for my own curiosity).

I was born in Rhodesia in 1978 to a British mum and South African dad.

My mum arranged my British citizenship before my 18th birthday and my certificate says it was done under section 3 (1).

I see the rules changed in 1983 so I'm confused as to whether my citizenship is in fact by descent or not?

Confusion arises because 3 (1) isn't always by descent and can be at HO discretion.

Problem is, my mum passed away a few years back so I can't ask her.

How might I find out?

As I said no major issue just curious.

Thanks

Re: By Descent or Not?

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 11:48 am
by Amber
SgtBellPepper wrote:Hi all,

Information needed (purely for my own curiosity).

I was born in Rhodesia in 1978 to a British mum and South African dad.

My mum arranged my British citizenship before my 18th birthday and my certificate says it was done under section 3 (1).

I see the rules changed in 1983 so I'm confused as to whether my citizenship is in fact by descent or not?

Confusion arises because 3 (1) isn't always by descent and can be at HO discretion.

Problem is, my mum passed away a few years back so I can't ask her.

How might I find out?

As I said no major issue just curious.

Thanks
Registration under section 3(1) gives British citizenship by descent if one parent is a British citizen when the child was born. However, there may be exceptions, for example if the British parent became a British citizen after the child was born.

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 1:36 pm
by SgtBellPepper
Thank you.