This guidance tells Home Office staff how to consider applications for naturalisation as a British citizen.ContactsIf you have any questions about...

Naturalisation is at the discretion of the Home Secretary. Under s.6 of the British Nationality Act 1981, they may, if they think fit, grant a cert...

This section provides guidance on how to treat applications for naturalisation on behalf of a child.Children under the age of 18 cannot be naturali...

This section provides guidance on what to consider when processing an application.Checking an applicationYou must not grant a certificate of natura...

This section tells you how to assess whether an applicant satisfies the full capacity requirement.Full capacity is defined in section 50(11 of the...

This section tells you how to consider if an applicant meets the residence requirement for naturalisation.In order to qualify for naturalisation as...

There are 3 categories of people who are treated as exempt from immigration control under section 8(3) and (4) of the Immigration Act: those who ar...

This page tells you about applications for naturalisation and immigration time restrictions.Free from immigration time restrictionsAll applicants f...

This section tells you about the future intentions requirement for those applying for naturalisation under section 6(1).The main purpose of the req...

There are some applicants whose way of life does not allow them to maintain a principal home in the conventional sense. This applies to some intern...

This document provides background information about the history of nationality law and can be used in conjunction with guidance to assess citizensh...

The history of British nationality law falls into 4 periods, which are marked by key pieces of legislation before 1915 between 1915 and 1948 betwee...

The position at common lawBefore nationality legislation existed, there was a system of “Allegiance”. Feudal lords demanded the allegiance of their...

British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914The British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 came into effect on 1 January 1915. It was l...

The British Nationality Act 1948The 1948 Act, which came into force on 1 January 1949, introduced the status of citizen of the UK and Colonies (CUK...

The British Nationality Act 1981The aim of the British Nationality Act 1981 was to create a new law which would give all existing CUKCs a citizensh...

Aden (South Yemen)Although the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen was formed on 30 November 1967, citizenship of the UK and Colonies (CUKC) was no...