9. April 2026
Is my UK-born child a British citizen?
Many migrant families ask about the immigration status of their UK-born child, including whether their child has British citizenship at birth. For children born on or after 1 January 1983, the answer depends on the parents’ immigration status at the date of the child’s birth.
This post is for: migrant parents and families living in the UK who have a child born in the UK and want to understand British citizenship and immigration options.
Before 1 January 1983, the law generally granted British nationality to anyone born in the UK. The British Nationality Act 1981 changed this so that a child’s parents’ immigration status matters.
When is a UK-born child British at birth?
A UK-born child is only British automatically if a parent was British or settled when the child was born. If not, the child will usually need a visa until they can qualify to register (or until they can apply to settle in line with their parents). If a parent later becomes British or settled while the child is still under 18, the child may be able to register as British.
A child born in the UK is usually a British citizen automatically if, at the time of the birth, at least one parent is:
- British, or
- “settled” in the UK (for example, they have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme).
In these cases, you can apply for the child’s first UK passport. You will need to provide documents showing the parent’s British citizenship or settled status at the time the child was born.
If neither parent was British nor settled when the child was born, the child will not usually be British automatically. In most cases, the child will need immigration permission (a visa) to stay in the UK in line with their parents.
It’s important to check your child’s status early. If a child does not have British citizenship or valid immigration permission, they may later be charged for some NHS care and could have difficulties proving their right to live in the UK.
How can a UK-born child become a British citizen later?
Even if your child was not British at birth, they may be able to register as a British citizen if they were born in the UK and, after their birth, at least one parent becomes British or becomes settled (for example, gets ILR or settled status). Registration is a Home Office application with a fee and supporting documents.
The Home Office fee for this type of registration is currently £1,000. The fee is exempt for some children (for example, certain children in care). In some situations, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver by showing that you cannot afford the fee after essential living costs and costs of meeting your child’s needs.
Once registered, the child can apply for a UK passport as a British citizen.
One advantage of registration is that a UK-born child may be able to become British without first applying for settlement. By comparison, settlement (ILR) applications can be expensive (currently £3,226 per applicant), so registration can help eligible families avoid an extra step.
FAQ: Can my UK-born child become British if I get ILR or settled status later?
Often, yes. If your child was born in the UK and you become British or settled after the birth, your child may be able to register as British (subject to the requirements and evidence for the specific route).
FAQ: Does my child need a passport before applying?
Not always. Many families delay an application while waiting for a passport from overseas authorities, but a UK-born child can often apply without one. What matters is providing alternative identity and nationality evidence and a clear explanation of why a passport is not available. We can advise on the documents to use and prepare the covering representations so you can proceed with the relevant visa or nationality application.
Need help with a British citizenship registration for your UK-born child? We can advise on eligibility, confirm the best route (passport, registration, or visa), and prepare the application and supporting documents. Contact us to book an initial consultation to assist with your child’s application.