MN1 Application Success - Children born outside the UK

[sriimurthy]

I am posting this message, hoping it to be useful to some in Future.

My son is 13yrs old. And I am a single mom. Not legally divorced but separated. The child's father is absent from the child's life and has no contact with the child for 5 yrs.

I was unsure about how to apply since both parents need to sign the application and I did not know the whereabouts of the father.

I checked with many organizations to ensure the application was made correctly.

In case only the mother consent is available, it is sufficient as a sole responsible parent. But if a father is applying this is not the case. The mother will also need to sign the application.

In my case I have mentioned the father is absent and signed off the application. I contacted the childrenslegalcenter for advise in the right direction.

As a person who was born outside UK, and also my son was born outside UK, I need some evidence that I hold the sole parental responsibility. I have applied for such an order from the court. This is not needed as of now but in case the application gets rejected just because one parent signed then I can always make an appeal and show them the order.

Both my son and myself have lived in this country for more than 8 years now. I got my citizenship approved few months ago. I have my british passport as well. We both got our ILR in 2005.

I have applied for my son and will post the timeline update for children born outside UK.

NCS/Postal : Postal
Date Posted : 14-07-2010 - via PO guaranteed next day delivery
Date received: 15-07-2010
Payment Debited: TBD
Acknowledgement : TBD
Documents Received : TBD
Approval Date: TBD


If anyone one else has applied MN1 applications under section 3(1) please post the time lines so it may be an helpful indicator. I cant find timelines for this category hence this thread.

Appreciate your time in advance. Many thanks

[sriimurthy]

The application has been approved.

NCS/Postal : Postal
Date Posted : 14-07-2010 - via PO guaranteed next day delivery
Date received: 15-07-2010
Payment Debited: 20-07-2010
Acknowledgement : 22-07-2010 (dated 20-07-2010)
Documents Received : 12-08-2010
Certificate Received: 17-08-2010 (Individual child application do not have ceremony requirement)
Approval Date: 11-08-2010

But for those who are trying to surrender the Indian passport, please be aware that HCI London do not accept applications from single parents. They said the rules have changes. An affidavit attested by a 1st class Magistrate must be attached with the application. They same goes true for applying visa to India or for apply OCI/PIO.

If trying to get an affidavit then going to the Magistrate's court directly is the cheapest option. Any solicitor would charge between GBP 150-250. The court would only charge 25GBP but they have specific timings to issue affidavits. And also make sure you draw up the affidavit content and take printouts of the draft. The court will not draft the affidavit for you. Nor do they have any templates available.

Hope this helps.

Many thanks