The documents we require for registration as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or a British subject if you are a stateless person born outside the United Kingdom or British overseas territories on or after 1 January 1983

This page provides details of the documents you will need to supply to us to support your application for registration as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or British subject if you are a stateless person born outside the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 1983.

We require the original document, not a copy.

Evidence that you have been stateless from birth

You should send a letter from the authorities of the country in which you were born stating that you are not, and never have been, a citizen of that country.

Evidence of your parent's citizenship or status

You should send:

  • the parent's birth certificate; or
  • any certificates of registration or naturalisation; or
  • any official letters which show the parent's citizenship or status at the relevant time.

If the parent concerned is your father, you should provide your parents' marriage certificate.

Evidence that you have been in the United Kingdom or British overseas territories during the three-year period before your application

You should send your passport or passports (including your stateless person's travel documents) which cover the whole three-year period. If you cannot do this, please explain why and send as much as you can of the following to cover the three-year period:

  • letters from your employer; and
  • letters from schools or other educational establishments you attended;
  • a letter from HM Revenue & Customs National Insurance Contributions Office showing you have paid National Insurance contributions; and
  • P60 forms or a letter from HM Revenue & Customs showing you have paid tax; and
  • any other documents which show you lived in the United Kingdom or the British overseas territory.

If the application is being made by a guardian on behalf of a person under 18

You should send proof of your authority to act as a guardian, for example a court order.

Application forms

Registration as a British citizen, a British dependent territories citizen, a British overseas citizen, or a British subject by or on behalf of a stateless person born on or after 1 January 1983

  • Form S2PDF 289KB opens in a new window
  • Guide S2PDF 544KB opens in a new window
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