Naturalisation for a child

[MJ1989]

Hi guys,

My family and I moved to the UK 11 years ago, at the time my brother was only 9 months old. He is now 12 and I would like to apply for a British passport for him. I naturalised last year and am now a British citizen, both my parents and brother have Indian passports with ILR visas (since 2006).

I want to know whether we can apply for my brother to be naturalised even though neither of my parents hold British passport?

Thanks
MJ

[secret.simon]

Children under the age of 12 do not naturalise, they get registered.

Children born abroad get registered at the discretion of the Home Office. They typically only exercise discretion if the parents are naturalised.

As neither parent is naturalised, it is unlikely that a child registration application would succeed.

Your sibling can of course naturalise when he meets all the requirements as an adult after the age of 18.

As an aside, on what basis did you get your citizenship? Were you naturalised (as an adult) or registered (as a child) and were you born in the UK or overseas?

[MJ1989]

Hi,

thanks for your reply - so he has to wait until he is over 18 to naturalise or can he do so once he turns 13?

I am 25 so I applied as an adult and was granted my citizenship with no requisite regarding my family.

[secret.simon]

Children under the age of 12 do not naturalise, they get registered.

That was my mistake. Children under the age of 18 (minors) do not naturalise, they get registered.

You can try to apply on Form MN1 under Section 3(1) and put in all the reasons that he should be granted British citizenship. It is a gamble and you may lose all the money on the application, because, as mentioned above, it is at discretion and his case would be an exception to the currently existing guidance on exercise of discretion.

He can naturalise in his own right at the age of 18.

[noajthan]

Hi,

thanks for your reply - so he has to wait until he is over 18 to naturalise or can he do so once he turns 13?

I am 25 so I applied as an adult and was granted my citizenship with no requisite regarding my family.

If one parent applies to naturalise at the same time then the registration of child (under 18) will still be at Home Secretary's discretion but the case will have more chance.

[MJ1989]

Thank you both, very helpful!

[MJ1989]

Hi

I have a follow up question - if my brother does get registered and all goes well - is he then a British citizen and can obtain a British passport? or will he have to apply for naturalisation when he's 18?

[CR001]

he then a British citizen and can obtain a British passport

Yes

will he have to apply for naturalisation when he's 18?

No, because he will already be British!