Requesting British passport for American daughter. Why are birth certificates needed?

[someotherperson]

I'm a dual national British American
I'm British born and live in the USA

My daughter is American born and qualifies for a British passport because I'm British born; she is of British descent.

I'm applying for her British passport and am told I need to send original birth certificates in the mail to the UK. I need to send one parent's birth certificate and all paternal/maternal grandparents. This seems ridiculous!

Since only one parent is needed to be British born for eligibility, why are all the grandparents birth certificates necessary? And why do I need to send my birth certificate when my passport already indicates my place of birth is in the UK? I'd rather not need to send an old document in the mail.

Not all of my daugher's grandparents are still living and maternal/paternal side live in different Contintents. It is ridiculous for me to need to obtain their original birth certificates (very old documents) and send them in the mail. And also, why need all grandparents birth certificates and yet only one parent's birth certificate?

[vinny]

See also Baby to British Mother and Non-British Father.

When were you born?

[someotherperson]

I was born in 1981

[vinny]

Then I think they shouldn’t require grandparents’ details.

[iceman809]

My situation is basically the same as that of yours. My daughter is 10 years old and has American citizenship. Yesterday, she carried out biometric registration. At the same time, in addition to my daughter’s passport, she also scanned the birth certificate. Remember to bring the original. good luck