Can I register as a British citizen if I have previously given up my citizenship?
This page explains whether you are able to register to resume British citizenship or citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies using application form RS1 if you had previously given it up (renounced it).
If you meet the requirements for registration you should go to the section on applying.
If you have any further questions, you can contact us.
Can I resume my citizenship?
You may apply to resume your British citizenship if you are of sound mind and:
- you made a declaration to give up British citizenship after 1 January 1983; or
- you made a declaration to give up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies before 1 January 1983.
If you gave up your citizenship before 1 January 1983 you must also have one of the following connections with the United Kingdom:
- you, or your father, or your father's father (or, if you have been married or in a civil partnership, your husband/wife/partner, or his/her father or his/her father's father) was:
- born, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom; or
- registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies in an independent Commonwealth country.
You have a right, only once, to register as a British citizen if you gave up your citizenship to keep or gain another citizenship.
You have a separate right, only once, to register as a British citizen if you gave up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies:
- to keep or gain citizenship of a Commonwealth country, or
- because you had reasonable cause to believe that your citizenship of a Commonwealth country would be taken away if you did not give up your citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
If you gave up your citizenship for any other reason, or have already given up and resumed British citizenship as a right, the Home Secretary may allow you to resume it, depending on the circumstances. You should contact us for advice before you make an application.
See also
Terms explained
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Independent Commonwealth country
A member of the Commonwealth, which is an association of independent countries. (See Commonwealth.)
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Renounce
To give up your British citizenship.