Question re. decent by mother for those born before 1961

[siege1959]

Sorry if the answer is already in here somewhere, but if so I haven't been able to find it. My question is this: if the proposed legislation passes and I am able to pursue citizenship based on my mother's UK citizenship, does that avenue of application require the multiple years of residency and other requirements that are needed for application when based on other factors, or is the process something closer to providing full citizenship rights automatically? (I was born in the US in 1959 to a UK mother and US father, so am currently excluded based on my mother's UK citizenship.)

I would very much appreciate any information in this regard, even if it's only being pointed in the right direction.

Thank you.

Chris

[1963British]

Assuming the bill passes.....

You will fill out the application, look at Form UKM and Guide UKM as an example as that covers births after 1961.

You will need two referees who do not need to be British since you are in the US.

You will need your mothers birth certificate and her UK passport, even if its expired.

You will send that in with your birth certificate. For good measure you can also send your dads birth certificate and their marriage certificate.

Everything goes to the Embassy in washington.

When approved, you will need to take an Oath at the nearest consulate. Once you take the Oath, you are right then and there a full British Citizen.

While you are at the Consulate ask them to make a copy of the Certificate and certify it. It will cost around $75 (US) but that way you can submit the certified copy instead of the original to the Passport Office at the British Embassy.

[siege1959]

Thanks so much for the answers! I realize that the legislation is not yet a done-deal, but I was assuming it would be much more difficult.

Regards,

Chris

[1963British]

Chris, couple other suggestions.

Work on getting the documents now. If your mums birth certificate is not certified, order it from the UK now. Ask her for her old passport.

Put everything in a fireproof safe. Hard to lose it then.

Print out Form UKM and sketch it in now.

If your mum no longer has a passport that is not a deal breaker. But then you need to build up a few more documents. You should then get her parents birth certificates and marriage license.

If you do not want a UK Passport, you can get a sticker placed in your US Passport that shows you have the Right of Abode. That will show UK immigration you have the right to live in the UK.

Forgot to mention, the US Embassy will also want to see your US Passport. If you do not have a valid Passport, get it NOW. You will need to show it in order to take the oath at a consulate.

Also, Consulates normally allocate a single day a month to do the Oath. But if that day does not work, you can pay extra for a private ceramony.

Look at the British Embassy (Washington) for location info.......

Cheers!!

P.S. Any chance you had a grandparent born ANYWHERE in Ireland (ROI or NI)? You might be able to claim Irish Citizenship too.

[siege1959]

Thanks again, 1963British! The fact that my mom died 10 years ago makes this a little more difficult, but it's great to have a fuller understanding of what's involved. I've got my folks' English marriage certificate and my mom's passport, but I need to do some digging to see what else I've got. No Irish relatives, I'm afraid.

Now I'm just hoping that the legislation actually makes it through.

Thanks again.

Chris