Children of a parent in designated service or community institution service - section 3(1) application
This page explains how a child of a parent in designated or community institution service can register as a British citizen under section 3(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.
This category applies to a child born outside the United Kingdom, who did not automatically acquire British citizenship because, at the time of their birth:
- one or both parents are or were British citizens by descent; and
- the service was not designated or admitted as a community service; or
- a parent who had been in a designated or community institution service had died, but would have been in that type of service if they had been alive at the time of an application to register the child.
Applications for registration will be considered at our discretion if we think it is reasonable under the circumstances. We will consider registration under section 3(1) of the British nationality Act 1981 if:
- at least one parent is, or would be but for their death, a British citizen by descent; and
- that parent is or would have been in designated or community institution service on the date of the application; and
- at the time of the child's birth that parent was in that service before it was designated or admitted as a community institution service; and
- both parents consent to the registration; and
- the child is of good character if they are aged 10 or over.
Terms explained
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(European) Community institution service
A parent's service under a European Community institution may be considered when deciding whether or not a child born outside the United Kingdom qualifies for British citizenship.
The list may change from time to time but currently includes members of the European Parliament and European Commission, judges, advocates general, the registrar and assistant rapporteurs of the European Court of Justice, members of the Court of Auditors, and the Ombudsman.
It also includes officials and other employees of European governments, including those working for the Council, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the Office of the Ombudsman, the ECSC Consultative Committee, the European Investment Bank, the European Monetary Institute, the European Central Bank, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the Joint Research Centre, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Scientific and Technical Committee, the Monetary Committee, the EURATOM Supply Agency, the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the Europol Drugs Unit, Europol, the Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the Training Foundation, the Environment Agency, the EC Office of Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Inspectorate, the Community Trademarks Office, and the European Plant Breeders Rights Office.
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Designated service
Types of employment with specific employers which the Home Secretary has agreed may be treated the same as Crown service for the purpose of British nationality law. See Chapter 4 of the Nationality Instructions, under Law and policy.