Can I register as a British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen or British subject if I am a stateless person born outside the United Kingdom or British overseas territories on or after 1 January 1983?

This page provides details of how a stateless person can register as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or a British subject using application form S2.

You should read the information in this section before you make an application for registration. You will need to pay a fee when you make your application. If you make an application for registration and it is unsuccessful because you are not eligible, we will not refund your full fee.

To be eligible to apply for British nationality using application form S2 you must have been born outside the United Kingdom or British overseas territories on or after 1 January 1983.

If you were born before this date you will need to apply using application form S1. You should visit the section for stateless people born before 1 January 1983 for details of the requirements you must meet.

If you were born within the United Kingdom or British overseas territories you will need to apply using application form S3. You should visit the section for stateless people born in the United Kingdom after 1 January 1983 for details of the requirements you must meet.

The requirements you need to meet

To register as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or a British subject you must:

  • be stateless; and
  • have always been stateless; and
  • have been born on or after 1 January 1983; and
  • have been born outside the United Kingdom and the British overseas territories; and
    • a British citizen; or
    • a British overseas territories citizen; or
    • a British overseas citizen; or
    • a British subject.

In addition, you must

  • have been present in the United Kingdom or British overseas territory at the beginning of a three-year period ending on the day we receive your application; and
  • not have been absent from the United Kingdom or British overseas territory for more than 270 days in that three-year period.

See also

Terms explained

  • British nationality

    There are six forms of British nationality: British citizenship, British overseas citizenship, British overseas territories citizenship, British protected person, British subject, and British national (overseas).

    Only British citizens have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

  • Eligible

    You meet the requirements to apply.

  • Stateless

    Someone who is not considered as a national by any country under the terms of its laws.

All glossary terms