Once a person reaches the age of 18, any application for British citizenship must be made as an adult, even where it is based on residence as a child. Applications to naturalise as a British citizen can only be made by adults. Children can only apply for registration as a British citizen. Naturalisation is the most common way for adults to acquire British citizenship, however there are some situations where adults can apply for registration as a British citizen. For further information on applications to naturalise as a British citizen, see Practice Note: Applying to naturalise as a British citizen: eligibility, and for information on registering a child as a British citizen, see Practice Note: Routes for applying to register a minor child as a British citizen.

Some registration applications are made by entitlement and others are considered at the discretion of the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD).

The date of application is the date the application is received by the Home Office.

Registration