The United Kingdom has published updated guidance explaining how certain people who already hold a form of British nationality can apply to register as British citizens.

The route is not open to everyone with a British nationality status. According to the official UK Government guidance, eligible applicants can include British overseas citizens, British protected persons, British subjects and British nationals (overseas), provided they meet the relevant requirements.

However, the rules come with important restrictions.

Who can use the route?

The UK Government lists four categories of British nationals who may be able to apply through this particular route:

  • British overseas citizens
  • British protected persons
  • British subjects
  • British nationals (overseas)

Applicants must also meet the specific conditions attached to their nationality status.

Importantly, a person cannot use this route if they are already a citizen or national of another country. British overseas territories citizens are also excluded from applying through this particular route.

This means holding one of the four listed British nationality statuses alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Children may not automatically become British citizens

The guidance also contains an important provision for families.

A child born outside the UK after a parent obtains British citizenship through this registration route will not automatically become a British citizen simply because of that parent's registration.

Parents who want their children to obtain British citizenship may therefore need to pursue a separate application or establish whether another route to citizenship is available.

How much does the application cost?

The current UK Government fee for an adult applying through this route is £1,670.

That amount consists of:

  • £1,540 registration application fee
  • £130 citizenship ceremony fee

For applicants under 18, the registration fee is £1,000.

If a child turns 18 while the application is being processed, an additional £130 is required for the citizenship ceremony.

The UK Government also warns that submitting the wrong fee can result in the application not being processed, requiring the applicant to apply again. Children who cannot afford the £1,000 fee may be eligible for a fee waiver in certain circumstances.

UK says applications can take up to six months

The official guidance says applicants will usually receive a decision within six months, although some cases can take longer.

Applicants are also required to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph, as part of the process.

The UK Government has separately published updated guidance on registration for people who are stateless, but that is a distinct route with its own eligibility requirements. The official guidance states that stateless people may qualify depending on factors such as where and when they were born, their parents' nationality and their residence history.

The latest rules underline that British nationality is not the same as British citizenship and that eligibility for registration depends heavily on an applicant's existing status and personal circumstances