The type of citizenship you will acquire

This page explains the type of British citizenship you will acquire if your registration application is successful.

If your application for registration is successful you will become a British citizen by descent. You will not normally be able to pass your British citizenship to any children born outside the United Kingdom.

If you are resident in the United Kingdom, you may be able to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. If your application for naturalisation is successful you will become a British citizen otherwise than by descent and will be able to pass your citizenship to any children born outside the United Kingdom. You should see naturalisation for more information.

See also

Terms explained

  • Acquire

    Obtain or gain possession.

  • By descent

    British citizenship gained through your parents. This type of citizenship cannot normally be passed on to your own children. (See also Otherwise than by descent.)

  • Naturalisation

    Naturalisation is a legal process by which someone with no automatic claim to British citizenship can become a British citizen and obtain the same rights and privileges as someone who was born a British citizen. You can normally apply for naturalisation as a British citizen if you have lived in the United Kingdom for 5 years or more, or are married to a British citizen and have lived in the United Kingdom for 3 years or more. See eligibility for naturalisation for full details of who can apply.

All glossary terms