Matt Sabin

Hi all
Wife is now 32 weeks pregnant. We're here on a 4 year business visa. Anyone know what we do about registering the baby after the birth. Do we do it here and/or England and if so, where? Any advice gratefully received please. Thanx

JAJ

You register the birth with the state authorities as normal. However as you are not permanent residents the child will not be an Australian citizen, sorry.

Then you approach the British High Commission in Canberra (if you're British) to get the child a British passport. http://bhc.britaus.net

As long of you is born or naturalised in the UK the child will automatically be British but you will need your birth certificates etc to prove the child's citizenship.

Bear in mind for the long term that the child will be British "by descent" so there might be problems getting British citizenship for your future grandchildren if they are also born outside the UK.

Also bear in mind that the child's passport will be his or her only proof of citizenship so take care of it (and don't throw out expired passports).

Matt Sabin

Brilliant. That's really helpful. THANKS!!

kez81

Im 19 weeks pregnant and a PR do i register the birth both here and the uk??

JAJ

British consular birth registration is not available in Australia. And usually, the child of British parents is automatically a British citizen and does not need registration with the Home Office.

Was at least one of you born or naturalised in the United Kingdom?

If so, then the child will need the following:

- Australian birth certificate (from state authorities, as normal)
- Australian citizenship certificate (to prove citizenship, use form 119)
- Australian passport (if travel is desired)
- British passport (get this immediately as it's the only proof of British citizensip available)

CadburysFingers

Our son was born in Aus, we are both from the UK, here on a permanent visa, he has only ever lived in Aus. Is there any urgency to get him a UK passport, or will all this stuff be on file for years, and we can apply for a UK passport in the future. He already has his Aus passport. The little fella is 18 months?

JAJ

The UK authorities have no evidence of his status until you get him a British passport. This is much easier to do sooner rather than later (they often hassle people who turn up as adults looking for a first passport).

As for Australia, have you got him a citizenship certificate? If not, there may be problems replacing his passport in a hurry if it's ever lost.

gedge

JAJ

With regards the child being British by descent and the implications for their children in the future, can you go into more detail?

My wife and I are both UK born. We also have Australian citizenship. Our son was born in Australia after we became citizens. He has an Austalian birth cert and passpost, and also a UK passport.

If he in turn has a child born outside of the UK then is it definite that this child will not be able to gain British citizenship? Is there anything we can do now to change this or was it set the moment he was born in Australia?

Thanks.

NickyC

My kids are in exactly the same situation. Born in Australia, but are British citizens by descent.

My understanding is that any children they have, if born in Australia, will qualify for an ancestry visa to the UK so they will effectively have no restrictions on living and working there initially - BUT they'll need to apply for citizenship once they qualify for it.

These are the current rules but I guess they could change at any time.

CathnPaul

May I ask, what about if born in UK but now hold Australian citizenship and passports for both the UK and Australia. What are the implications on their children?? Just asking as some of my cousins have just had babies within the last year and they have assumed that their children are only entitled to australian passport etc.

JAJ

British citizenship by descent is set for life. It cannot be changed. However in some circumstances a British citizen by descent can still pass on British citizenship.

You should start with a careful read of Home Office leaflet BN4:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/app...?view=Standard

JAJ

They have assumed wrong. If at least one parent is a British citizen born or naturalised in the United Kingdom, then the Australia born child is usually a British citizen (by descent) automatically.

It is strongly recommended to document the child's British citizenship as soon as possible (saves hassle later on, also removes the risk of missing a registration time limit in the few cases it's needed).

Parent's acquisition of Australian citizenship is irrelevant.