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Children of British mothers - proposed changes to law on citizenship
11 May 2009
A person who has a British mother currently has a right to register as a British citizen under section 4C of the British Nationality Act 1981 if:
- he or she was born between 7 February 1961 and 1 January 1983; and
- he or she would have become a British citizen if women had been able to pass on citizenship in the same way as men at that time.
The Government has proposed changes to the law, to allow people born before the 1961 date to British mothers to be registered as British citizens. These proposals are set out in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament. If successful, this Bill will extend the provisions of section 4C of the British Nationality Act 1981 to those born before 1961.
Information about the progress of the Bill can be found on the Parliament website. Further information about registration under section 4C can be found in Guide UKM, which you can download from the right side of this page.