Those born with a UK-born grandparent may be able to claim British citizenship in certain circumstances. Adults Born Before 1 Jan 1949 So let’s answer the question: Am I eligible for British citizenship if my great grandmother was born in Scotland? An adult born outside of the UK after 1 January 1983 with a UK-born grandparent may have a claim to British citizenship by descent if: They had a UK-born grandfather who was in Crown service at the time of the relevant parent’s birth. In summary, you will need to: … In our latest article, we review how a person born outside of the UK can acquire British citizenship by descent, or double descent through a grandparent. There are hundreds of ways to potentially qualify through a parent or grandparent or colonial connection. Many countries let you claim citizenship if your parents, grandparents or — in some cases — great grandparents were born in said country. Most common challenge in these cases is the requirement to evidence that the applicant’s parent has lived in the UK for 3 years (or more). It does not include those who have migrated to the United Kingdom and become naturalised British citizens. A British citizen by descent is a person born outside the United Kingdom who has acquired British citizenship because a parent was born or naturalised in the United Kingdom. Basically, if you have a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent or other ancestors who were born in another country, you may be able to claim citizenship. This is known as double descent… Under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, if a child who is not an Irish citizen is adopted by an Irish citizen or a couple where either spouse is an Irish citizen, then the adopted child shall be an Irish citizen.. It also includes certain persons who have acquired British citizenship by registration. Citizenship by descent - is it really worth the waiting and all other demands that come with it? Am I an Irish citizen? If you were born after 1 January 1983, you may have a claim to British citizenship if: You or a parent were born in a former British colony The most common cases of those born before 1949 claiming British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) include: Only British citizens are able to apply for a British passport. British citizenship by double descent - Grandparents. A British citizen by descent cannot automatically pass citizenship to a child born outside the UK. If you have a British grandparent, and you are a Commonwealth citizen, then, even if you are not British, you may be able to come to the UK on the UK Ancestry visa route. To have been born before 1 January 1983 and immediately before that date to have been a Citizen of the UK and Colonies with a right of abode in the United Kingdom. Guidance on whether an individual has an automatic claim to British citizenship. You can claim British citizenship by double descent if you have a grandparent (and in rare cases a great-grandparent) born in the UK. You can get your citizenship status on the basis of a parent’s or, in some cases, grandparent’s British nationality. Changes in British passport and citizenship case law are enabling further claims to British nationality, based on having a grandparent (and, in rare cases, a great-grandparent) born in the UK. Citizenship Canada has a special process for the 2nd generation. This can be a bit complicated, but basically, if your great-grandparent was born in Ireland and one or both of your parents used that relationship to apply for and have been granted Irish Citizen by Descent prior to your birth, then you are also eligible to register for Irish citizenship. From this checklist, you can see that claiming British citizenship through double descent has quite a few qualifying hurdles. If you were born in Ireland or have a parent or grandparent who was an Irish citizen, you may be able to claim citizenship by birth or descent. Yes, you can apply for Irish citizenship by descent. By acquiring British citizenship by descent, you can become a UK national even if you were born abroad. Claiming your Italian citizenship is a bureaucratic process, but eligibility is fairly broad.. For the most part, you can claim Italian citizenship by descent if your grandparent was an Italian citizen and neither your parent (their child) nor you expressly gave up your rights to such citizenship. Post by amsj11991 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:52 pm Hi, I am currently looking into the right that my mom has to apply for British Citizenship by double descent. For expert assistance with your immigration matter, contact Reiss Edwards, immigration lawyers and solicitors in London, on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk In some cases, you may be able to acquire citizenship if your grandparents were British nationals but you were not born in the United Kingdom. Most Irish citizens gain their citizenship this way. To qualify for British Passport you must first be a British Citizen. My grandparent was born on the island of Ireland. It is not like in the USA where every child born there is a USA citizen (if they can prove it). The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages the Foreign Births Register and will determine if you Claim British citizenship by descent or birth Being born in the UK and by descent from a British parent are the most common ways to qualify for British nationality. Irish citizenship through adoption. One of the easiest ways to acquire dual citizenship is by descent. Each situation has to be assessed individually. We can also advise on your other options to apply for British Citizenship by descent, such as the UK Ancestry Visa. The citizenship by descent for the second generation is complicated and limited. Later on in life, however, she renounced her citizenship (1990) for citizenship of another country which did not permit dual nationality. My mother was born in the UK (1971) and was a British citizen (not by descent). British citizen by descent applies when an individual is born outside the UK and one or both parents are British. Great-Grandparents were Irish Born. There are provisions in law allowing a claim if a grandparent or great grandparent was British or was born in the UK. Irish Citizenship application by Descent, Great-Grandparent born in Ireland, rules and exceptions. You’ve already been told by Faith that there’s not such thing as Scottish citizenship (yet!). There are three common situations that give rise to applications in this area. Of particular interest is the statement, "A child born outside the UK on or after 1 January 1983 automatically acquires British citizenship by descent if either parent is a British citizen other than by descent at the time of the birth." Published 27 July 2017 Last updated 24 July 2019 — see all updates. How can you qualify for British Citizenship by Double Descent and be eligible to get a British Passport? Those born outside Scotland to at least one parent who has Scottish citizenship – this appears to be modelled on the Irish system, allowing citizenship by descent where an overseas birth is registered in Scotland. We cover three scenarios relevant to a claim: Children Under 18. If … Recent changes to the law have created many more opportunities for children to acquire British citizenship through a father or mother, including adopted children and children of unmarried parents. Learn more. 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