Can I register as a British citizen if I was born before 1983 to a British mother?
This page provides details of how a person born before 1983 to a British mother can register as a British citizen, using application form UKM.
You should read the information in this section before you make an application for registration. You will need to pay a fee when you make your application. If you make an application for registration and it is unsuccessful because you are not eligible, we may not refund your full fee.
The requirements you need to meet
To register as a British citizen you must:
- have been born after 7 February 1961 but before 1 January 1983; and
- have been born to a mother who was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies at the time of your birth and you would have been a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent if it had been possible for women to pass this citizenship on to their children in the same way as men; and
- had you been a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies you would have had the right of abode in the United Kingdom and have become a British citizen on 1 January 1983; and
- you are of good character.
- by birth, legal adoption, naturalisation or registration in the United Kingdom and Colonies; or
- by birth before 1 January 1949 in a British protectorate, protected state or United Kingdom trust territory; or
- you were born or your mother was born in a British protectorate, protected state, mandated territory or trust territory or in any foreign place in which British subjects came under British extraterritorial jurisdiction; or
- you were born in a non-Commonwealth country and your birth was registered within one year at a British consulate; or
You will meet the second requirement if at the time of your birth:
- your mother was in crown service under the United Kingdom Government at the time of your birth; or
- you were born in a Commonwealth country whose citizenship law had been the subject of an order under section 32(8) of the British Nationality Act 1948, but did not become a citizen of that country at birth.
You will meet the third requirement if:
- your mother was, at the time of your birth, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by birth, legal adoption, naturalisation or registration (except registration on the basis of marriage on or after 28 October 1971 to a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies) in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man; or
- one of your mother's parents was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies in the way mentioned above at the time of her birth; or
- you were settled in the United Kingdom before 1983 and had at that time been resident there for the last five years; or
- you are a woman who, before 1 January 1983, was or had been married to a man with the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
See also
Terms explained
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British extraterritorial jurisdiction
The application of British law to a person with British nationality who is living in another country.
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British protectorate
Protectorates and protected states were foreign territories to which British protection was extended in some form. See Who is a British protected person? for more information about this.
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Commonwealth country
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries that consult and co-operate in the common interests of their people to promote international understanding and world peace. All Commonwealth countries, except Mozambique, have experienced direct or indirect British rule, or have been linked administratively to another Commonwealth country. For a list of Commonwealth countries, and more information, see the Commonwealth Secretariat website.
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Eligible
You meet the requirements to apply.
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Mandated territory
A mandated territory was a territory administered by the government of any country in the former British Empire by a mandate from the League of Nations (which later became the United Nations). For more information on mandated territories, see What were protectorates, protected states, mandated territories and trust territories?
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Protected state
Protectorates and protected states were foreign territories to which British protection was extended in some form. For more information on protected states, see What were protectorates, protected states, mandated territories and trust territories?
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are considered as part of the United Kingdom for nationality purposes, but have their own immigration laws and policies. The Channel Islands are not treated as part of the United Kingdom for value added tax (VAT) purposes.
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United Kingdom trust territory
A trust territory was a territory administered by the government of any country in the former British Empire under the trusteeship system of the United Nations. A United Kingdom trust territory was administered by the United Kingdom. See What were protectorates, protected states, mandated territories and trust territories?