Children of a parent in designated service or community institution service - section 3(1) application
This page explains how a child of a parent in designated or community institution service can register as a British citizen under section 3(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.
This category applies to a child born outside the United Kingdom, who did not automatically acquire British citizenship because, at the time of their birth:
- one or both parents are or were British citizens by descent; and
- the service was not designated or admitted as a community service; or
- a parent who had been in a designated or community institution service had died, but would have been in that type of service if they had been alive at the time of an application to register the child.
Applications for registration will be considered at our discretion if we think it is reasonable under the circumstances. We will consider registration under section 3(1) of the British nationality Act 1981 if:
- at least one parent is, or would be but for their death, a British citizen by descent; and
- that parent is or would have been in designated or community institution service on the date of the application; and
- at the time of the child's birth that parent was in that service before it was designated or admitted as a community institution service; and
- both parents consent to the registration; and
- the child is of good character if they are aged 10 or over.
Terms explained
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(European) Community institution service
We may consider a parent's service under a European Community institution when deciding whether a child born outside the UK qualifies for British citizenship.
'Service under a European Community institution' is defined as service with the Commission of the European Communities (European Commission), the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, the European Court of Justice, the European Investment Bank, the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee and/or the Committee of the Regions. -
Designated service
Types of employment with specific employers which the Home Secretary has agreed may be treated the same as Crown service for the purpose of British nationality law. See Chapter 4 of the Nationality Instructions, under Law and policy.