By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. No country will grant you citizenship based on the results of a DNA test alone. Have at least one parent who is a Mexican citizen born in Mexico. But as you said, its very rare. These can be complex cases which means they must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Children who were adopted as minors are considered direct descendants as well. My grandmother married my US citizen grandfather in 1953. Citizenship for those born in another country is unusual in that it requires registration in the Records of a Municipality of the Hellenic Republic. ", "Thanking you so much for helping me and my wife live together for now and the distant future. The transmission of passports is of great concern so a service that chooses and monitors transmission via reliable courier services and methods reduces a lot of anxiety. Ashwood House Bradmon Drive, Capri, St Catherines, Ontario, Canada, L2M355, Soluta Street, Sunset Beach, Cape Town, 7441, Satellite offices located in: USA, South America, Australia, New-Zealand, Europe, Asia, Copyright 2021 MyBritishPassport, All Rights Reserved, Miguel is amazing! This includes: If you were born outside of the UK and claim to have a UK-born grandparent, you may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by descent (double descent) depending on your circumstances. If a child is looking to claim British Citizenship by double descent before the age of 18, there are particular circumstances that can make them eligible: There are a number of situations where you can qualify for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) under this scenario. Claiming British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) also known as British Citizenship by double descent is based on at least one of your grandparents being British. I hesitated briefly, but realised that this was the best solution for me to renew my passport. This is known as double descent. This can save you a lot of money, hassle and time in terms of visa applications. You will need to meet requirements set out under Scottish immigration law, such as good character and residency. IAS Head Office USA Below is MyBritishPassports guide to British citizenship by descent. I first reached out to one of these companies and was told that I was not eligible. You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK. There are special rules that apply if you have a parent or grandparent from Ireland. Those born outside of the UK between 1 January 1949 and 31 December 1982 and who have a UK-born grandparent may be able to claim British citizenship in certain circumstances. (This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity). We will represent you in any case. You can get your citizenship status on the basis of a parents or, in some cases, grandparents British nationality. More info Have at least one parent or grandparent who was a Spanish citizen, with some restrictions. Excellent service from MyBritishPassport got it all sorted and back to me inside of 6 weeks. If relevant, they can also assess eligibility for citizenship by descent through a parent, or any other route that may be applicable to you, such as the British Citizenship by double descent route or the UK Ancestry Visa. See also: 9 ways you can claim British citizenship. One of the easiest ways to acquire dual citizenship is by descent. So, with the UK at that point, we had a uniform form of British Nationality, called British Subject statusthat you could acquire by virtue of birth in the UK, or any UK colony. However, a British by descent parent can register their children if certain conditions are met. Fully recommend it for Brits living abroad. Children under the age of 18 will need to claim citizenship before the age of 18 or they will lose all rights to British nationality. Have a Thai mother or a Thai father who is married to your mother. A gentleman name Shaun gave me precise updates along the way which took the stress out of. They should be able to tell you whether you're eligible or not. However, there is no Scottish citizenship officially, as it falls under British citizenship of the United Kingdom. There are 3 possible scenarios in which a successful claim for British Citizenship by descent through a grandparent can be made: Once a child turns 18, there are particular circumstances that normally apply for British Citizenship that are no longer available for applications. Can a U.S. citizen petition for grandchild? Citizenship by descent, or citizenship by ancestry, is one of those options. It was my first time to use a third party to renew my british passport. This is a complex area of British nationality and every case must be assessed on an individual basis. They will advise you on the best route towards British Citizenship, working closely to support your family and preparing a robust application. Before you can begin this application, you must be registered or naturalized as a British citizen. You will need to have your birth registered in the Foreign Births Register. Irish and Italian descendantsI'm talking to you. Some countries have stringent requirements where you must have a parent who is from that particular country - but others are much easier. Can I move to Scotland if my grandfather was born there? Likewise, anyone who has lived in Scotland for at least 10 years at any point in their life and can show a demonstrable connection to Scotland could apply for citizenship. Thanks for making the passport renewal process so simple and efficient. Can I become a Scottish citizen if my grandfather was born there? "We used this service for the spouse visa extension application to assure that all the information was valid and correct. If you're not able to secure citizenship somewherethere's also the option to live a nomadic lifestyle and travel the world. NY 10017 The MOST helpful service from Christa, an absolute GEM. As UK citizenship rules are complex, call us on +1 844 290 6312 for help to ascertain if you are eligible to claim British citizenship by descent (grandparent). Because, you see, a lot of people have this misconception that they become a citizen the day the passport is issued. Have at least one parent who was a French citizen at your time of birth. More info Have at least one parent who was an American citizen at the time of your birth. They are well worth the price. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 353 061 518 025, IAS Head Office UK Can someone from England become a Scottish citizen? In this particular scenario, we dont have movement of people. It does not store any personal data. Simply click here to get started! But without that paternal great grandfather being born in the UK, it wouldn't have been possible. A mixed bag of connections is a better thing. The passport is just evidence of ones citizenship. British citizenship by triple descent refers to the ability to acquire British Citizenship through great-grandparents. She's excited to share her ideas, thoughts and experiences and hopes to help anyone else looking for their dream location. Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006, would qualify for UK citizenship as long as their father is considered to be a British citizen. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Basically, it wasn't a full European colony, it had a treaty with the UK and everyone born there was afforded British Protection. Have at least one parent who was a British citizen at the time of your birth. New York Have at least one parent with Greek nationality; citizenship can be transmitted from generation to generation indefinitely. Inherent to citizenship is the right to hold a passport. At the time of your birth, one of your parents need to have been born in Canada or became a naturalized citizen. Ellen Street Can you miss someone you were never with? Answer (1 of 12): The answer to this common question is no. Regards Mary Tucker. Find out about paying for a faster decision. Contact IAS to get help with the complex process of establishing if you have a claim to British Citizenship by descent through a parent. Although British passports have changed somewhat since the UK has left the European Union, they are still considered to be one of the most sought-after passports in the world and is well worth pursuing if you feel you may be eligible. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In scenario one, I'll start off with obviously our great-grandfather. There is no specific application process to apply for American British dual nationality all you need to do is to apply to become a UK citizen. Can a US citizen have dual citizenship with Scotland? I completed the online application, paid and sent in a photo etc. Now, the interesting part here is that, like I said earlier, a person who is British by descent cannot pass it on. According to Dutch nationality law you can qualify for Dutch citizenship via your parents if they were Dutch at the time of your birth. In order to apply for British citizenship by descent (grandparent), you will initially have to apply for British Citizenship. Brittany B, was my contact in the passport. +27 (0) 21 657 2120, Durban If one or more of your grandparents was born in the UK, there may be some circumstances in which you could claim British Citizenship through them, called British Citizenship by double descent. It could be your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or even further ancestor. Namely, it is necessary to register with the Irish Foreign Births Register. The procedure under Section 58c of the Austrian Citizenship Act begins with the filing of a declaration ("Anzeige"). If at the time of your birth one of your parents was a British citizen or settled in the UK, then you are automatically a British citizen. In exceptional circumstances, a discretionary registration is provided such as being gifted in sports, music or theatre etc. So that's scenario one that we came across, that we're still gonna go ahead and apply for that chaps British passport. MP: Without even knowing. At the time that he was born, Right of Abode was already a concept. Great job. 4 Can a U.S. citizen petition for grandchild? Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals. Very happy with the service. This route to British Citizenship is less common than by descent by a parent or by double descent by a grandparent. I think its important to note that, for these sorts of very rare claims, you do need to have some sort of connection outside of South Africa. Have at least one parent who was a Norwegian citizen at the time of your birth. Presuming the independence movement wins, Scottish citizens will be able to apply for a Scottish passport . Most highly recommended! Yes, absolutely. 5 Countries That Will Grant Citizenship Based On Your Ancestry. What was the architecture like in ancient Rome? The information provided on this page can help you find out how to get British Citizenship by descent through your Grandparent. Completed in. For immediate US / UK immigration advice, call us on +1 844 290 6312 or complete the quick enquiry form. Extremely efficient and helpful. Otherwise for citizenship, you must have a Finnish father who is legally married to your mother. This means you would be required to apply for British citizenship by descent and will be eligible providing you meet guidelines to qualify. Retire in Antigua, Guatemala and Enjoy Beautiful Vistas and Great Weather, Enjoy Your Retirement by Living The Tapas Life, Retiring in Buenos Aires: Affordable Big City Living, Request my moms birth certificate from her home country, Request apostilled copies of my birth certificate, my marriage certificate and my moms marriage certificate. Citizenship by Ancestry in Croatia is granted if persons have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who had or holds citizenship of Croatia. What are the differences between group & component? Now, he carried on having those two statuses until 1 January 1983, which I mentioned earlier the date the current British Nationality Act came into force. :) If your grandparents were Scots then you are also a Scot. Apparently this can all be done virtually. Well, most people who are eligible for UK passports qualify for British citizenship by descent, meaning either you, one or both of your parents were born in the United Kingdom. 2 Can I move to Scotland if my grandfather was born there? We are a team of experienced consultants who are here to help you with all aspects of your British Passport application. ". So the short answer is, yes, you can inherit British citizenship if you're South African and you have a great-grandparent born in the UK, but it's not as easy as if you have a grandparent or parent born in the UK. We're available in-person, via the phone, or online. British Citizenship for a child born outside the UK to parents that are British citizens is not automatic. One of the easiest ways to acquire dual citizenship is by descent. Wonderful service from Carla who made the process so easyThank youAmanda. Your legal advisor will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf. There is 16% Greek/South Italian, 12% Sardinian, and 8% Scandinavian, specifically from SE Norway which seems to be a rare group (reflected in only 6 of my 12,000 + DNA matches). Have a grandparent that was born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, on a British-registered ship or aircraft or in the Republic of Ireland before 31st of March 1922. Then his son, who would be the grandfather in this example, was born in South Africa. A British citizen by descent refers to a person who was born outside the UK who has acquired citizenship through a UK-born parent or grandparent. So if you have a child under 18 and you have these UK connections, even if its a great grandparent, or you have these connections to a previous UK colony, its so important to fill out the assessment and give as much detail as possible. Thank you for this opportunity to share my appreciation for the British passport office. All rights reserved. Couldnt have done it, Im sure, without these friendly and efficient people.Thank you! Check your eligibility if you were born: on or after 1 July 2006. between 1983 and June 2006. before . I can't wait! Pass the Good character requirement this means you should not have committed immigration fraud or been convicted of any serious crimes. If only your father is Greek, you have the right to citizenship by descent, provided that: You were born in or out of wedlock after June 16, 1982. The process and requirements vary from country-to-country so Ive compiled a list of country requirements. Theyre quite rare so I'm surprised to see them one after the other. Youre a woman who was married to a British man before the year 1949. This is known as double descent. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The courier picked up my documents from my home en route to UK and delivered my new passport back to me a few weeks later. Christa kept in touch with me regularly on progress and the new passport arrived by courier a few days ago. Shaun continued to keep me informed so there was none of the anxiety that I had anticipated in dealing with UK Home Affairs. British citizenship is normally automatically passed down one generation to children born outside the UK. How do I renew my UK passport in New York? Many actual Italians (born, bred and living in Italy) see people like Frankie as Americans who can claim an Italian passport thanks to a grandparent or, as in Frankie's case, great-grandparent. You can claim British citizenship by double descent ifyou have a grandparent (and in rare cases a great-grandparent) born in the UK. Those born between the dates of 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006 could qualify for British citizenship through descent, even if they were born outside of the UK (but to a British-born mother). The process of applying for a British passport varies depending on your country of origin and whether or not you already hold a valid passport. You can read more about applying for citizenship based on Irish descent or associations on the ISD website. it. Oldham Will I be able to get a Scottish passport? The last step is to visit the embassy in person to apply for citizenship. 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. There are several ways that you can qualify for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent) but they must be provisional in the law providing that a grandparent or great grandparent was classified as British or born in the UK. However, certain circumstances have to be met by the parents, as the Czech Republic enacted specific rules of law which can limit the . I would highly recommend MBP to anyone looking for their passports to be renewed. Its not the grant of ones citizenship. If youre thinking about retiring abroad, your options may be limited based on your ability to legally stay in a country for a longer period of time. Is it possible for a South African to inherit British citizenship through a great-grandparent? Brian December 28, 2016 at 9:36 PM. The Ireland citizenship by ancestry program is a great way to get a Irish passport. Now, around that time, the UK chose to differentiate between those seen as belonging to the Overseas Territories or those who are British belonging to the UK i.e. A parent who is British has given birth to the child who is classed as stateless when they are born (the child does not take up the citizenship of the country that they were born or the nationality of their parents) can be eligible to apply for British Citizenship by descent. This is known as British Citizenship double descent. In this case around the 1980s. If their parents were never married, they would still be eligible for UK citizenship. Anyone born after 1 July 2006 could qualify for UK citizenship, as long as at least one parent is British. However, there are a few circumstances where this is not the case. There is a link to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on acquisition of citizenship "by origin": Janice. For more information speak with our team today on 0333 305 9375. Your IAS immigration lawyer will assess your eligibility for British Citizenship by descent (grandparent). instructions. However, the remainder makes no sense. Suddenly all countries in the EU are open to you relocating for the long term. This is known as British Citizenship by descent, or more specifically, British Citizenship by double descent. But it is very much possible. The center of the Scotland DNA ethnicity region ranges from just south of Newburgh, Fife Parish, and extends north to the Orkney Islands. I've also included links to pages that are clear in how to obtain your citizenship by descent. process stress-free and I'm so glad I made this choice. 24 days from collection to delivery. Highly efficient, fast, service, with no hidden extra costs. MP: Absolutely and that kind of was the case for my second scenario as well, where we did have a great-grandparent born in the UK. Luckily I didn't take their word for it so I called the local embassy and in fact, I was eligible. Its a much more complex route. In general, due to the way that British citizenship can only be passed down one generation by a parent who has "British citizenship otherwise than by descent" to a child born outside of the UK . And the law simply does not recognize grandchildren of U.S. citizens as having a qualifying relationship for I-130 filing and green-card eligibility purposes. However, a DNA test does not prove anything about how many generations back your ancestry in any given country may have been. He was born in South Africa in about 1980, I believe. Step 2: Fill out The Application for Irish Citizenship by Descent. Greek citizenship can derive from parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents who are or were Greek citizens. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Whether you're seeking to reconnect with your family heritage, move overseas, or simply want a second passport at your disposal, at least 50 countries offer some version of citizenship by . A second passport also grants the right to live, work, and do business in the country. How far in advance can I renew my UK Passport? It can be done while the child is in South Africa and the child will get a British passport. All grandfathering and ancestral routes to British nationality and citizenship had been plugged in August 1917 by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 (4 & 5 Geo 5 c. 17). Excellent service from start to finish. Our team of experts will be happy to assist. What should I expect from a recruiter first call? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So the short answer is, yes, you can inherit British citizenship if youre South African and you have a great-grandparent born in the UK, but its not as easy as if you have a grandparent or parent born in the UK. from a great-grandparent) are very rare, but a recent case involving quadruple decent has just been dealt with by the Home Office. I was dreading the prospect of renewing my passport but with terrific service from these guys it was smooth and. This is the first in a series of episodes we'll be doing on routes to British nationality for South Africans. Please visit our Citizenship By Descent page for information . At first seemed like an expensive option, but I can confirm it's 100% worth the. Would highly recommend to anyone needing a new or renewed British Passport.Thanks especially. And the speed with which I received my new passport was amazing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Once you have established that you are eligible for British citizenship by descent, the next step is to apply for a British passport. The process is the same as applying for citizenship through a parent. Scottish, Welsh, and Irish. Where does Thigmotropism occur in plants? Have at least one parent who was a Colombian citizen by birth or naturalization. Both the UK and US allow dual citizenship so Americans who would like to apply for British citizenship are able to maintain both citizenships. Update: I was finally able to go visit the embassy in Washington D.C. in June 2021. So, in this particular case, remember I said the fathers father was born in Kenya, with his own mother (the great-grandmother) born in the UK? One parent must be a Australian citizen at the time of your birth. My wife's British Passport was renewed professionally and hassle-free. The more detail you give, the more accurate we can be with providing your likelihood. If only your mother is Greek, you have the right to citizenship by descent, provided that you were born: In or out of wedlock after August 5, 1984. Of course, the first request was returned because I didnt do something right. I am a very happy client and would choose this service again. office and was very efficient in communicating the progress of the passport.Another satisfied customer, thank you Brittany. That would have been the person who was married to the person who worked in Rhodesia? In an independent Scotland all British citizens born or habitually resident in Scotland on day one of independence will have the right to acquire a Scottish passport, although, as in most countries, there will be no requirement to hold one. He even took care of helping me with another ticket because. But at this stage, now we have the main applicant having Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent, which actually originated all the way from his great-grandfather's birth in the UK. In order for you to qualify for British Citizenship by descent (double descent), there are particular guidelines that you need to match. How do I get British citizenship by descent? Likewise, anyone born in Scotland but resident elsewhere will automatically have Scottish citizenship at the date of independence. In this case the important one was the grandmother, because she was born in the UK and the great-grandfather, her husband, was born in South Africa. Click here to read more verified Google Reviews. Have at least one parent who was a German citizen at your time of birth, though there may be other exceptions to allow for citizenship. Their daughter, my grandmother, died . Its quite important to get this looked at if you do have a great-grandparent born in the UK. However, if their father is a UK citizen, they were born outside of the United Kingdom but their parents were never married, they may or may not be eligible for UK nationality. Now, we will start again, as we did with the other scenario, with the great-grandparent first. It's a much more complex route. Our team is also always there should you have any questions or concerns and we keep you updated on every step of the process. But often there is a bigger reason for wanting to get citizenship by ancestry. Erica Erim. Learn more. Double descent will require you to meet certain guidelines depending on when you and your grandparents were born. If you are a citizen of a Commonwealth country and have a grandparent who was born in the UK (this includes the Republic of Ireland if born before 1922 as it was then part of the UK), you can apply for a visa to live and work in Scotland and the rest of the UK. Now, anyone born there, just like in the other example, would have been a British Subject. For further information on British citizenship by descent from South Africa, feel free to contact a member of the MyBritishPassport team. Jade Robinson Apr 7, 2021. 1 Dual citizenship happens automatically in some situations, such as when a child is born in the U.S. to parents who are residents of a foreign country. straightforward, and went without a hitch. In this example, the person was born before 1983. So, again, the grandfather is also a British subject, just like his father, our great-grandfather. L-1B Visa (Specialized Knowledge Workers), P2 Visa (Reciprocal Exchange Program Performers), Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program, Canada PR Pathways for Hong Kong Citizens, Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Can you claim Scottish citizenship by descent? The grant of ones citizenship would be when youve been registered or naturalised as a British citizen and are issued a Certificate of Registration or naturalisation. Because it is a UK grandparent who can give the Right of Abode to those who are Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, as our gentleman was. Ive had the pleasure to have Carla handle my application at MyBristishPassport, she has been very professional and. For people born outside of Ireland, attaining citizenship requires going through the countrys Foreign Birth Registration. Eligibility for Slovak citizenship by descent is limited to those whose parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were born in Slovakia's territory. In that case, you will need to submit records relating to you and your parent. Irish citizenship can be obtained in two ways: through birth or naturalization, and both options allow for an Irish passport or ID card to be acquired. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". TV: So you mentioned the importance of the maternal grandmother. (The UK makes things slightly complicated by changing the terminology of what the nationality was called throughout each law change that took place in the history of British Nationality). This is known as British Citizenship by descent, or more specifically, British Citizenship by double descent. So he would have acquired not just his great-grandfather's (or through that connection Citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies status, but also, through his paternal grandmother, he would have also held Right of Abode. An estimated 800,000 Americans can be eligible for Slovak citizenship by ancestry. No he doesn't qualify (has to be his grandparent at a minimum). This means you would be required to apply for British citizenship by descent and will be eligible providing you meet guidelines to qualify. The cost is very reasonable when you consider just how much renewing your passport will be without them plus all the anxiety of making sure you did it right. I provided all of my paperwork and the visit went quite smoothly. They made the whole. Ready to apply for your British passport? The case has arisen as a result of a recent change in the British law that now allows claims to come down the maternal side of the family.