Completing the application form

This page provides details of how to fill in the registration application form MN1. Before you fill in the application form you should read the eligibility section to make sure the child meets the requirements. If your application is rejected because they do not meet the requirements, your fee will not be refunded.

If you would like to make sure you have completed your form correctly, many local authorities in the United Kingdom run a nationality checking service. For a small fee the authority will check your completed form, supporting documents and application fee before sending your application on to us for consideration.

You must fill in the form in block capitals using a black or dark-blue pen. Please enter all dates as dd-mm-yyyy, for example 29-04-2000.

The application should normally be made by a parent or guardian of the child.

The application form MN1 is in seven sections. Some sections of the form must be completed by everyone applying for registration. Other sections should only be completed if they are relevant to the child's application. The information below highlights the most important parts of each section. A full guide to what is required in each section is provided in guide MN1 - registration of a child as a British citizen - a guide about the registration of children under 18.

Section 1 - personal information

You should complete this section as fully as possible. The information you provide in this section will be used on the certificate of registration so you should make sure your name, place and date of birth are entered correctly. We are only able to change the certificate in exceptional circumstances.

You need to enter the section of the British Nationality Act 1981 under which you would like the application to be considered. You should check the eligibility section or the guide MN1 for details.

If the child reaches 18 years of age while we are processing their application they will need to attend a citizenship ceremony to be presented with their certificate. Ceremonies will normally be held by a local authority near where they live. If you would like the ceremony in another area you should enter the name and address (including the postcode) of its local authority in part 1.20.

Section 2 - residence

You should complete this section as fully as possible. If the application is being made on the basis of the child's residence in the United Kingdom, the child and their parents must have been physically present in the United Kingdom three years before the date which we receive the application.

Section 3 - parents' residence in the United Kingdom or the British overseas territory, where applicable

This section should be completed if the child was born abroad to parents who are British citizens by descent. If the child is applying under section 3(2) the parent's father must have held British citizenship otherwise than by descent.

Section 4 - good character

This section must be completed if the child is aged 10 or over.

You must provide details of all criminal convictions including road traffic offences, but not fixed-penalty notices unless they were given in court. Fixed-penalty notices include parking and speeding offences. Drink-driving offences must be declared. You do not need to provide details of any convictions which are 'spent'. Information on how a conviction becomes spent can be found in the section on good character.

You should provide details of any offence for which the child may go to court or is awaiting a hearing in court. This includes if the child was arrested for an offence and is waiting to hear if they will be charged. If the child is living in Scotland, all recent civil penalties must be declared.

If the child has had any involvement in terrorism you should declare it. You must also declare if the child has been involved in any crimes in the course of armed conflict including crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide. Further information on these crimes can be found in the section on good character.

Section 5 - referees and identity

Any application for a child must be supported by two referees and a recent passport-sized photograph.

The photograph should be clipped or stapled to the space provided. The photograph must show the whole of the child's face. It should not be covered by their hair (except a beard, sideburns or a moustache), a scarf or traditional dress. They should not be wearing dark glasses, a hat, a hood, a cap or a scarf.

One referee should have known the child personally and have been their doctor, teacher, health visitor, social worker, or minister of religion. The other referee must be a holder of a British citizen passport. He/she must be either a professional person or over the age of 25. See the list of Acceptable professional persons. Each referee must not be related to the child, or to the other referee. He/she should not be acting as a solicitor or agent in connection with the application and should not be employed by the Home Office. Section 6 - consent to the application

This section must be completed for all applications.

Where possible, both parents should sign the application form to confirm they consent to the registration. If one parent is unable to sign the application form you should provide details of why that parent has not signed the application.

If neither parent is able to sign the application form, it must be signed by the legal guardian of the child. You would need to provide evidence that you have the authority to act as a guardian and explain why neither parent is able to sign the application form.

If the child makes their own application, the written consent of the parents or guardian must be provided with the completed application form. You must also explain why the child is making their own application.

Section 7 - declaration

You must read this section in full and answer all the questions. You must sign and date the completed application form.