Retaining southafrican citizenship

[Tyla]

Hi all please can you advise if it is necessary for me to complete forms from south African home affairs. I have read because I am considered a citizen from birth as my dad is British and my parents were married at my time of birth in 1991 that I don't have to apply to retain my citizenship? Is this true ? Will I still have my south African citizenship when I apply for my passport?

Thank you

[CR001]

Not required for people who are British by descent. You get to hold both citizenships.

[Tyla]

Thank you so much for your speedy reply!

So I am currently getting my south African passport surname changed once the new passport comes through In my married surname then I will apply for my British passport. Will I have to attach my marriage certificate on British passport application as my surname is not the same as my father's surname anymore due to being married. Would like to have my passport in my married name.

And once I have my British passport does that allow my son to get his British passport when he is born in August?

[CR001]

Yes you attache the marriage cert.

Re your child, it depends where the child it born, UK or SA.

[Tyla]

I read this under acquisition by registration:minors

A person born outside the UK shall be entitled on an application for his registration as a British citizen Made while he is a minor to be registered as such a citizen if requirements specified are fulfilled in the case of either that persons father or his mother

The requirements referred to are

That the parent in question was a British citizen by descent at the time of birth and that the father or mother n question was a British citizen otherwise than by decent at commencement or would have become such a citizen otherwise by descent at commencement but for his or her death

[Tyla]

Child will be born in SA

[Tyla]

As a child I lived in the UK for a year and I have gone to the UK in 2000 for 4 weeks and 2006 for 4 weeks does this help?

[Tyla]

Child is yet to be born he will be born in August 2019

[CR001]

Child will be born in SA

Then no, child has no entitlement to a British passport as you are not able to pass it on as you yourself are British by Descent. Child will only be British automatically if born in the UK.

As a child I lived in the UK for a year and I have gone to the UK in 2000 for 4 weeks and 2006 for 4 weeks does this help?

No it doesn't as you require 3 years continuous residence prior to the childs birth with evidence to prove your residence for the child to be registered as British (costs £1012).

Child will have to follow the same visa route as your other dependents.