Proof of Citizenship for UK born Child of ILR Holder in eVISA era

[whitecoatsyndrome]

Hi all,

First of all - long time lurker here, I want to thank this community and the excellent mods for this invaluable curated resource which helped me navigate various applications over time.

I've been reading various threads (eg Suprised Brits) regarding children born in the UK to settled parents and issues faced by some folks when they apply for / renew their child's British Passport. I can see that the consensus is that the ILR BRP should be kept as definitive proof of parent's ILR status at time of birth.

Unforunately, I belong to the cohort who was never issued a BRP with ILR status. All I have is an email from the home office with a UAN, which I've read does not cut the mustard with HMPO.

I was wondering if anyone can give some guidance on what document I can try and procure to help safe guard my child in the future, lest they become victim to a Windrush like scandal.

For now all I can think of is a Subject Access Request asking for my ILR decision letter / timeline of UKVI applications with decisions and dates. I've read that form NS isn't of much use in this case. Would applying for a CoE - RoA for the child and subsequent SAR for that decision help?

Grateful for any insight.

[CR001]

Subject access request is what you need.

When did you get ILR exactly??

COE-ROA can only be applied for if the child does NOT have a British passport. The child cannot have both. ROA expires with a foreign passport.

It is only your ILR status that determines their British citizenship eligibilty.

[whitecoatsyndrome]

Thanks CR001,

I acquired ILR around four months back. All I got is an email, nothing more. I've applied for a SAR for my ILR decision, just thinking of what else I can do.

My child does not have any passport yet - eligible for Indian / British, I am just evaluating my options.

As a British passport is not proof of citizenship, my thought process was if I successfully get a RoA-CoE on an Indian passport for my child and then lodge a SAR with UKVI for the documents pertaining to that decision - would it help my child in the future?

I know that sounds a like a stretch but just thinking of what other evidence I can gather should they be challenged in the future.

[CR001]

Was your child born before you got ILR?

If yes, the child is not British and you have to register the child as British first on form MN1 before you can apply for a passport.

Once you register the child as British they lose their Indian citizenship.

[whitecoatsyndrome]

The child was born in the UK after I got ILR - so eligible for British and Indian citizenship.

My main fear is that later on they may face a challenge to their British nationality as it hinges on my ILR date. I have no physicial proof that I got ILR before birth, only an email - as you know they don't send BRP's anymore. Was just looking for any ideas to get some sort of physicial proof.

[CR001]

SAR is your best option.

[whitecoatsyndrome]

I guess it will have to do then - hopefully it will be enough.

One last query - do you have any idea if SAR will return any physical documents? From what I can see you get an email back with the requested information.

[contorted_svy]

You can use the SAR as proof, even if it is not physical.