Children born from a British father outside wedlock before 2006 now able to claim British Citizenship

The UK Home Office has announced some exciting changes to the UK immigration law that is coming into effect on 6 April 2015.

Before 1 July 2006 the law stated that a child could only obtain British citizenship through his/her father if the parents of the child were married to each other.

Since 1 July 2006 the law was changed to allow a person to obtain British citizenship through his/her father, regardless of whether the parents were married to each other, subject to the fact that the proof of paternity was provided. Unfortunately, the law change that came into effect on 1 July 2006, was not made applicable retrospectively, and individuals born before this date did not benefit from the law change. British fathers of children born outside wedlock could thus not pass on their British citizenship to their children if the children were born before this date.

Fortunately, this stance of affairs is now being rectified, as the new provisions will create a registration route for those born before 1 July 2006 who would have become British citizens had their parents been married.

From 6 April 2015, it will no longer matters whether or not your parents were ever married to each other, you may still have a claim for British citizenship through your father, and an especially strong claim if your father was born in the UK, or naturalised to become a British citizen.

For more information, or to apply to register as a British citizen under these circumstances, please contact your BIC consultant today.

Please contact us today for further information or applications.

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