Can I register as a British overseas territories citizen if I have previously given up my citizenship?

This page explains whether you are able to register to resume your British overseas territories citizenship using application form RS2 if you had previously given it up (renounced it).

If you meet the requirements for registrations you should go to section on applying.

If you have any further questions, you can contact us.

Can I resume my citizenship?

You may apply to resume your British overseas territories citizenship if you are of sound mind and:

  • you made a declaration to give up British overseas territories citizenship after 26 February 2002; or
  • you made a declaration to give up British dependent territories citizenship between 1 January 1983 and 25 February 2002; or
  • you made a declaration to give up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and
    • your father's father (or, if you have been married or in a civil partnership, your husband/wife/partner's father's father) was: (a) born, naturalised or registered in that British overseas territory; or (b) a British subject who became such because the territory in which they lived is now part of that British overseas territory.

You have a right, only once, to register as a British overseas territories citizen if you gave up your citizenship to keep or gain another citizenship.

You have a separate right, only once, to register as a British overseas territories citizen if you gave up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies:

  • to keep or gain citizenship of a Commonwealth country, or
  • because you had reasonable cause to believe that your citizenship of a Commonwealth country would be taken away if you did not give up your citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

If you gave up your citizenship for any other reason, or have already given up and resumed British overseas territories citizenship as a right, the Governor of the British overseas territories may allow you to resume it, depending on the circumstances. You should contact us for advice before you make an application.