Hello! First time poster!

I think i may qualify to register for British Citizenship via form UKM, but need some help!!
1)I was born in Canada in 1980
2)My mom was born in Uganda in 1954, became a UK citizen through registration in 1976 in Canada
3)My dad was born in Kenya in 1945, became a UK citizen through registration.
4)Mom and dad are both Canadian citizens now
5)grandparents were born in either India or Uganda and subsequently moved to the UK in the 70s.

I read the guide UKM but I'm confused with the criteria. Any insight as to whether I may qualify?

Thanks!

Wayne

Sorry Wayne, I saw you on TV last night at the Canucks vs Coyotes game. I don't believe for a moment that either of your parents are of African or Indian origin.

Doesn't make sense! Why would the British authorities register someone as British, if that person was now living in Canada?

What exact document proves this registration?

If your father was born in Kenya Colony he'd have acquired British nationality at birth. Or was he born in the Protectorate?

Point 5 probably means you can't register as British under UKM anyway, but you should fully investigate what precise type of British nationality your parents may have in order to be sure.

I think you might, I applied for British citizenship and got it...my mum was born in England but grew up in Malawi...and my Grandmother was born in South Africa, it's confusing!!!

I think she got it when she married my dad. I have the document here and it is titled "Certificate of Registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies". It was issues by the British high commission in Ottawa, Canada in 1976. Both of my parents have expired British passports as well.

My father received Citizenship through naturalization I believe.


sorry - im not too sure what you mean. Im still learning about this. Alot of the information is overwhelming. I think Kenya was a protectorate after 1949?

Yes - i need to investigate further about the British nationality they have. Would it say in their expired passports? I think in my case, the facts about my grandparents are irrelevant.

Thanks for your help so far!!

Note the different types of British nationality:

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/

OK, that makes more sense. Before 1983, wives of Citizens of the U.K. and Colonies could be registered as citizens by marriage, under section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

But since your mother was registered British after 28 October 1971, I don't think that will help you become British in itself.

But your father's status might do ... if he was naturalised British, when was he naturalised, and where? Was he naturalised in the United Kingdom?



Kenya became independent in December 1963. Prior to then, at least from 1920, the coastal strip (eg Mombasa) was a Protectorate and the rest of the country (incl Nairobi) was a Colony. There is a distinction for nationality purposes between the two - so where was your father born?


It should say "British Subject : Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies" for any passport issued prior to 1983. But in any such passport you need to look for a "Right of Abode" endorsement as well.

If they have passports issued on or after 1 January 1983, you need to look to see what is says for nationality. I would expect either "British Citizen" or "British Overseas Citizen".


Maybe ... where were they born?

My father was naturalized in England. I have the original paper in front of me. Its stamped Dec. 29, 1972, London.


My dad was born in Lumbwa, Kenya in 1945


I found their expired passports. Dad's was issued in 1973, mom's in 1976. On pg 1 of both of their passports there is a stamp that reads: "British Subject: Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies."

I'm not too sure what you mean by the "Right of Abode" endorsement, but page 5 of the passport is titled "Observations" and says "Holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom". However, there are no other stamps, markings, or writing of any kind on that page.


After some digging, found some info about grandparents (on my father's side):

1)Grandmother
-born in Thika, Kenya in 1925
-I haven't found her citizenship papers for UK, but my dad thinks it was automatically given to her when she was born in Kenya. I'll try and dig these papers up.

2)Grandfather
-born in India around 1918 - no record of birth available, although my uncle in Calgary has his expired UK passport.
-His UK citizenship paper reads:
Uganda Protectorate
This is to certify that ____ ____ has been registered as a Citizen of the UK and Colonies under Section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act, 1948. Dated April 1953, Kampala, Uganda.

I should also note that my dad said that he had British Citizenship when he was born in Lumbwa, but he said that he lost it when Kenya became independent and became a citizen of Kenya. That is why he had to naturalize in London.

That's correct. He was born a U.K. & Colonies citizen (Lumbwa was in the Kenya Colony). As his own mother was also born in Kenya, he became a citizen of Kenya on 12 December 1963 and lost his British nationality as his own father was born in India (not another colony). Then he re-acquired U.K. & Colonies citizenship by registration in the United Kingdom in 1972.

All this helps you because since your father is naturalised British (from 1972), you're a British citizen by descent - assuming your parents were married. You just need to apply for a British passport.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Obtain...ports_overseas

Both your parents appear to be British citizens and can have British citizen passports if they wish.

My parents were married in 1975 in London.

Will this also apply to my brother and sister who were born after 1983?

Thanks!

W

Your father is a British citizen otherwise than by descent from 1983, (as is your mother) so as far as I can see, it applies to your siblings too.

Thanks for all of your help! I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

Bear in mind that British citizenship by descent does not automatically pass on to the next generation, if also born overseas:
http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Britis...hip_by_Descent

Hi All,

just wanted to let you all know that I got my British Passport in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I am now a Canadian/British Passport Holder! As per JAJ, I am a British Citizen by Descent through my father who was naturalised British.

Thanks to everyone on this forum, especially JAJ. Greatly Appreciated!!!

#99