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My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:19 am
by ameriscott
I was born in 1988 in the U.S., and have never been to the UK. My father was born and raised in Scotland, but is deceased.
Am I already considered a British citizen? If so, how could I find out for sure?
If I'm not a citizen, what steps do I take? Is there a difference between registering and applying for citizenship? What are my chances of securing citizenship?
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:29 am
by vinny
If your father was married to your mother, then you are
automatically British. Just apply for a
British passport.
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 3:55 pm
by ohara
...and if your parents were not married, you have a lifelong entitlement to register as a British citizen.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... n-form-ukf
There is an £80 fee (well worth it I think!)
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:51 pm
by ameriscott
My parents were married at my time of birth, but later divorced. Is that okay? I have some other questions too...
The links below say I need:
1. One of my parents birth certificates (is my mother's U.S. birth certificate okay?)
2. My parents marriage certificate (will I be able to get this even though they were divorced?)
3. The passport numbers of both parents and their dates and place of birth, and in some cases the same details of grandparents (since my father is dead, am I required to get his passport number and is there a way to do that?)
https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y ... /adult/usa
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _09.15.PDF
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 10:59 pm
by noajthan
ameriscott wrote:My parents were married at my time of birth, but later divorced. Is that okay? I have some other questions too...
The links below say I need:
1. One of my parents birth certificates (is my mother's U.S. birth certificate okay?)
2. My parents marriage certificate (will I be able to get this even though they were divorced?)
3. The passport numbers of both parents and their dates and place of birth, and in some cases the same details of grandparents (since my father is dead, am I required to get his passport number and is there a way to do that?)
https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y ... /adult/usa
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... _09.15.PDF
As per Table B of guide you will only need one of the bc:
Born on or after 1 January 1983
one of your parents’ full birth certificate (showing both the child’s and parents’ details)
or
naturalisation or registration certificate;
and
if this is your father, his marriage certificate to your mother
If you provide mother's bc then the mc seems to be optional.
You could probably enquire &/or order copies of any UK documents you may need from:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help ... tificates/
or
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ort-office
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:15 pm
by vinny
Parent's marriage at time of your birth should be okay.
1. If you are claiming citizenship via your father, then it may be better to get his
birth certificate.
2. Yes. Proof of marriage is
essential, if you are claiming citizenship via your father. Where were they married?
3. It may be necessary to get your father's parents details if your father was born from 1983. Then you would need proof that at least one of your father's parent was settled or British at the time of your father's birth. The
Passport Office should have records.
However, if your father was born
prior to 1983 (as is the case, since you were born in 1988), then I don't think that his parents' details are so important, unless his father was an enemy agent or a foreign diplomat.
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:40 pm
by ameriscott
vinny wrote:Parent's marriage at time of your birth should be okay.
1. If you are claiming citizenship via your father, then it may be better to get his
birth certificate.
2. Yes. Proof of marriage is essential, if you are claiming citizenship via your father. Where were they married?
3. It may be necessary to get your father's parents details if your father was born from 1983. Then you would need proof that at least one of your father's parent was settled or British at the time of your father's birth. The
Passport Office should have records.
However, if your father was born
prior to 1983 (as is the case, since you were born in 1988), then I don't think that his parents' details are so important, unless his father was an enemy agent or a foreign diplomat.
My parents were married in Nevada, USA.
What about my parents passport numbers? Do I need those?
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:49 pm
by vinny
Your father's birth certificate and marriage certificate to your mother and your birth certificate may be necessary and sufficient.
However, provide as much as you can, as asked on the form.
Re: My father was a citizen
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 10:33 am
by vinny
To add:
It should be remembered, in particular, that a
birth certificate is evidence not of identity, but of an event. Birth certificates are not sufficient. They may expect to see evidence of your father's identity as well. So, his past passport number(s), etc., should also be included.
Your passport as well.
See also
4.5.