How to regain British citizenship after renouncing it?

Renouncing and Regaining British Citizenship

Regaining British citizenship after you have made the decision to renounce it may prove to be harder that you expect. Therefore, it is important that you consider if you are making the right decision to give up your status as a British citizen and understand the long-term implications of doing so.

If you have not yet renounced your British citizenship then you may want to consider whether dual nationality is a better option – especially as UK immigration rules do allow British citizens to hold dual citizenship with other nations.

Why Give Up British Citizenship?

How easily you are able to regain your status as a British citizen may depend on why you opted to renounce your citizenship in the first place.

The most popular reason is that you wish to adopt the nationality of another country that does not permit dual citizenship or the holding of another nationality at the same time.

It is possible to renounce the following British citizen statuses:

• British citizenship
• British overseas territories citizenship
• British overseas citizenship
• British subject status
• British national (overseas) status

Renouncing citizenship does impact on the right to live in the UK although it will not have an impact on other members of your family who hold citizenship, but it may mean any future child will not have the right to be a British citizen.

Paperwork to Support Regaining British Citizenship

You will need to provide a range of supporting documents when applying to regain your British citizenship status.

It is important that all required paperwork is provided on application otherwise you could face delays and potential rejection.

As well as the application form you may be asked to provide the following information to the UK immigration services:

• a copy of your Declaration of Renunciation (for example: form RN1, RN2, RN3, RN or form R6).
• Evidence of your present citizenship or nationality – such as your passport or certificate of naturalisation or registration
• If you renounced citizenship of the UK and Colonies then you will need evidence of your connection with the UK such as:
  • • the birth, naturalisation or registration certificate of the person through whom you have the connection
    • evidence of your relationship to them – this can be birth, marriage or civil partnership certificates.
• Evidence that if you had not made a declaration of renunciation you would have lost or failed to acquire the citizenship or nationality of another country. This applies if you renounced British citizenship for another citizenship or if you renounced citizenship of the UK for the citizenship of a Commonwealth country.
  • • A letter or statement confirming this from the authorities of the country involved
• If you renounced citizenship of the UK because you believed you would be deprived of your citizenship of a Commonwealth country unless you did so, include an explanation of why you believed this and any evidence.

Regaining your British Citizen Status

If you wish to regain your British citizenship you will need to reapply and you must also ensure you meet the criteria to become a UK citizen. You do not have an automatic right to be approved so you must be aware that the Home Office may reject your application. You will be entitled to re-registration if:

• you are of sound mind and
• you are of good character and

either

• you have made a declaration of renunciation renouncing British citizenship (after the start of 1983),

or

• (before 1 January 1983) you have made a declaration of renunciation renouncing citizenship of the UK and Colonies

and either

• you
• your father
• your father’s father
• your husband, wife or civil partner
• your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s father
• your husband’s, wife’s or civil partner’s father’s father was:
  • • born in the UK, or
    • naturalised in the UK, or
    • registered as a citizen of the UK and Colonies in the UK or
    • registered as a citizen of the UK and Colonies in an independent Commonwealth country. (The country concerned must have been an independent member of the Commonwealth at the time of the registration)

You must be aware that you only have the right once to be registered as a British citizen if you previously renounced British citizenship in order to keep or acquire another citizenship. You have a separate right, again only once, to be registered as a British citizen if you previously renounced citizenship of the UK and Colonies:

• in order to keep or acquire the citizenship of a Commonwealth country, or
• because you had reasonable cause to believe that you would be deprived of your citizenship of a Commonwealth country if you did not renounce.

If you opted to renounce British citizenship for any other reason, or if you have already renounced and resumed British citizenship, then it only be granted by the Home Secretary directly.

Cost and Timescale for Regaining British Citizenship

When reapplying for British citizenship you will need to pay an application fee of £1330. This fee will not be refunded if your application is refused so it is advisable to make sure you have completed the form correctly and provided all the information you are required to.

It may take up to six months for your application to regain British citizenship to be processed. If approved, you will be required to attend a Citizenship Ceremony to be given you Certificate of Citizenship in person. If you do not attend the ceremony within 3 months without a valid reason, your application for citizenship will be refused.

How can London Immigration Lawyers help?

Becoming a British citizen is a life-changing event that comes with many benefits, however, the application process isn’t easy and it can be incredibly difficult to navigate it alone – especially when you have given up your British citizenship status.

Our immigration lawyers are experienced when it comes to assisting with British citizenship applications, they know exactly what it takes for an application to be successful and can give you the best chance of success.

One of the most difficult aspects of the British citizenship application process is meeting the strict requirements. We can also help you to meet the criteria, this includes assisting you with gathering a substantial portfolio of documents to support your application.

To find out more about how our lawyers can assist you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today by calling 020 4502 8582.