UK-born child – passport eligibility

[ba31]

My partner and I will be eligible to apply for ILR in March 2026. We have a 4-year-old child who was born in the UK. Do we need to apply for our child’s ILR at the same time as ours, or can we apply for her British citizenship (naturalisation/registration) after we receive our ILR?

[secret.simon]

Apply for the child's registration as a British citizen after either parent gets their ILR.

Once the child's registration certificate is received, you can apply for the British passport (a separate process).

Between the day the child's visa (if any) expires and the date of their registration certificate, the child will be an overstayer and will not be eligible for free NHS healthcare. Make sure to have private health insurance for that period of time.

[ba31]

is it not than better to apply child ILR ? instead going route of risk of child can onverstay ?

[CR001]

A uk born child does not need ILR. Any overstay is ignored for uk born children because they have an entitlement to register as British once either parent gets ilr. Many many people have done this with no issues at all.

But if you want to waste money and apply for ILR for the child, that is your choice, but it certainly is not needed.

[lolo2]

is it not than better to apply child ILR ? instead going route of risk of child can onverstay ?

ILR is not required for a UK born child.

You can apply for the child registration as British at the same time as you submit your ILR application. The decision on the child registration will be taken after the parents ILR outcome.

Read: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -to-remain

[ba31]

Thank you for your response and appreciate.

so UK born child does not need to complete 5 years in UK and I can apply for her at the time of my ILR.

Is there guidance on filling the application form that can be used ?

[contorted_svy]

It is in the link that was shared in the previous post. Read that, start filling in the online application when the time comes, and ask here any questions you may have.

[secret.simon]

I can apply for her at the time of my ILR.

You can apply for your UK-born child to be registered after you are granted your ILR. The two applications can't be simultaneous.

You need to have already received your ILR when you submit the Form MN1 application to register the child as a British citizen.

[ba31]

Thank you for response.
Now I am confused which process is right ? Is it first I get ILR than apply for child or apply child registation along with my application or apply child ILR along with me.

would appreciate a response.

[CR001]

You apply for and get ILR first.

Then you apply to register the child as British kn form MN1. You need proof of YOUR ilr for the childs application.

A UK born child does NOT need ILR.

[ba31]

But child does not need to compelete 10 or 5 year before registering as British ?

If parents apply for ILR first and wait for a decision, how likely is it that the child could overstay? Does a delay in the parents’ decision affect the child’s application?
In my case I will get the biometric appointment any time post 03 March-2026 and my visa expires 29 April 2026.

[CR001]

The child will be an overstayer if their visa expires but it does NOT affect their entitlement to register as British once EITHER parent has ILR.

[contorted_svy]

Make sure you arrange private health insurance for your child should their visa expire before registration is granted as they won't be able to use the NHS for free should they need it.

[ba31]

If her application is submitted before the visa expires, will she not be eligible for NHS services while awaiting a decision?

[ba31]

But child does not need to compelete 10 or 5 year before registering as British ?

If parents apply for ILR first and wait for a decision, how likely is it that the child could overstay? Does a delay in the parents’ decision affect the child’s application?
In my case I will get the biometric appointment any time post 03 March-2026 and my visa expires 29 April 2026.

Going through MN1 form and seeing following information on form . my child born in UK and she is only 4 year old. my understanding is that as long as we have ILR we can apply her Naturalisation.

"""Use this form to register for British citizenship as a child under 18. This is an alternative to the paper form MN1. If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 and lived here until you were 10 years old, you might be able to use form T to register as a British citizen instead""".
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/mn1

[contorted_svy]

That section does not apply to you. Use the MN1 form.

If her application is submitted before the visa expires, will she not be eligible for NHS services while awaiting a decision?

No, she won't. Registration is not an immigration application. Do what I suggested and secure private health insurance.