In 2006, the UK government passed legislation that allowed those born after 2006 to claim British citizenship regardless of their parent’s marital status. Prior to this, claims through British fathers were only possible if the parents were married at the time of the child's birth, depending on where the child was born.
In 2014, further legislation was passed that allowed those previously deemed to be illegitimate to have a claim. This means that those born before 2006 can acquire British citizenship. Even if you were adopted, and your biological father was British, you can register as a British Citizen under UK(F) registration.
British nationality rights can be passed down to children whose father was born in the UK. The claim will depend on when the child was born when the father was born and whether the parents were married at the time of the child's birth. Some countries do not separate illegitimate children and those born within wedlock. Speak to one of our specialists to see if your children are already British.
Your claim will be affected by whether your father was born in the UK before 1st January 1983 or after 31st December 1982.
In the past, you could not claim citizenship from your UK-born father if your parents were not married at the time of your birth.
You were born after 1 July 2006
Whether or not your parents were married is irrelevant. You should have your rights to British citizenship assessed.
You were born before 1 July 2006
This route to citizenship is quite complex as it could potentially remove rights from any children already born to that person or remove the citizenship of another country.
Double descent UK(F) registration
In some cases, your child may qualify for Registration if, at the time of your birth, their paternal grandfather was in Crown service, Designated Service, or depending on where you as a parent were born (an old British Colony)
- British military
- Overseas Civil Service
- Colonial Service
- Diplomatic Corp
- The Salvation Army
- The Red Cross
- The Church Army
- The Salvation Army
- Roles within the Civil Service or local colonial government
- The BSAP in Rhodesia
- The NAAFI
- The YMCA and YWCA
- The Seaman's Mission
- The Australia, New Zealand and Malaya Defence Organisation
Numerous other organisations fall under the designation of Crown Service. If one of your parents worked for an applicable organisation, speak to one of our specialists to see if you or your children qualify!
