lemonblaat

Hello everyone!

I am new here but have been reading as a guest for quite a while. I would like to share details about my citizenship by descent claim in the hopes to get enlightenment from members of the group.

I was born 1989 in the Philippines to unmarried Filipina mother and British father. Father's name is on my Philippine birth certificate. Mother has worked in the UK and since become naturalised after my birth.

As I read in here and on the UK gov website, it seems I can claim citizenship by descent through my father. Will these support documents be enough or do I still need to show proof of his domicile when I was born? (Father never changed citizenship) or do I need a sworn statement from my father of him saying I'm his child?

Applicant: birth cert, passport, govt id
Mother: birth cert, passport, citizenship cert
Father: birth cert, passport
Pictures: father and applicant on recent holiday
Referee: govt id and passport

I am about to submit my online application and just want confirmation if I missed something. Thank you in advance for any advice.

BritInParis

Did your parents marry after you were born?

lemonblaat

No, never married.

SanDiegogirl

https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship...-1983-and-2006

I got the following from the above web site:

You were born between 1983 and June 2006

You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and all of the following apply:

• you were born between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006
• your mother or father was a British citizen when you were born (they must have been married if your father had British citizenship but your mother did not)
• your British parent could pass on their citizenship to you

lemonblaat

Thank you SanDiegogirl
You are right. Since my parents were unmarried, I presume my case is not straightforward (automatic). I was trying to figure out what documents I need to claim citizenship under this phrase from the same site quoted below (my father was born british and never changed citizenship but he lived/worked abroad):

If your British father was not married to your mother

You may be eligible to apply for citizenship if your father was a British citizen when you were born.

He must also have been one of the following:

• born or adopted in the UK
• given citizenship after applying for it in his own right (not based on having a British parent)
• working as a Crown servant when you were born (for example in the diplomatic service, overseas civil service or armed forces)

SanDiegogirl

I'm no expert here but thought that the phrase you quoted would apply if your mother (but no married to your father) was also British.
We need BIP here to clarify.....

lemonblaat

Any advice is welcome, thank you SanDiegogirl
I am in the presumption that citizenship by descent can be claimed even with only 1 parent being British.
Any thoughts BritInParis ?
I appreciate it so much.

lemonblaat

Just want to share that I have sent in my online application, fingers crossed.
I kept expecting I would run into somethig in the application that said I am not eligible but surprisingly it went smoothly, hhhmmm... Now is it just me because I have a feeling something's about to go wrong in my application

So here is the document checklist below, will my listed documents on the first post be enough? I'm sorry I always second guess myself, wish someone could be my second eye and try to see if I'm missing something here? 🙈
----------
Evidence to show proof of who the applicant's biological father is. Provide one of the following:
✓ the applicant's birth certificate, if applicant's biological father was named as
their father on a birth certificate issued within 12 month of their birth or any other evidence that proves they are related as claimed

We need evidence to show that (had the applicant's father been married to their mother) applicant would have become a British citizen (or if under 18, would have been able to register as a citizen under one of the minor registration sections). Provide the relevant documents from the list below:
✓ Applicant's passport
✓ Applicant's full birth certificate; and either:
✓ the father's full birth certificate or his certificate of naturalisation or registration as a British citizen
or as a citizen of the UK and colonies (or, if before 1 January 1949, as a British subject)
papers showing the applicant's father's legal adoption
the applicant's father's expired British citizen, citizen of the UK and Colonies or British subject
passport.

-----------------------------


So the checklist seems pretty short, by the way it also lists 2 referees (that was quite understandable), my question is would both me and dad's birth certificate and passport be enough as evidence? Or do I need to submit more? What other documents could I possible send to provide a stronger claim?

Sorry if my questions seem silly. Any insight/advice I greatly appreciate. Thanks in advance.

BritInParis

If your parents never married then you will need to apply to be registered as a British citizen under S.4G BNA 1981. You can do this by completing Form UKF and providing the relevant supporting documents.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship...-1983-and-2006

You may need to provide additional documents up to and including a DNA test but the nationality officer will inform you what they require to complete an assessment of your application based on your circumstances.

lemonblaat

Thank you BritInParis
It's comforting to know I submitted the right application. So here is the document checklist after I applied online.

Will a copy of my birth certificate, passport and my father's birth certificate and passport be enough to show as evidence? I may not be required the DNA test since my birth certificate shows my father's name and issued within 12months, what other document could I include to strengthen my claim?

Again, very grateful for your time helping me out. 🙏

BritInParis

For the time being just include the documents you have been asked to provide as per the checklist above. Any additional documents will be requested.

lemonblaat

Thank you BritInParis

lemonblaat

So i might have been very naive to think that UK case officers make it easy for applicants to claim anything, especially having read on the uk govt website anyone with links from the philippines needs additional requirments on the passport acquisition stage.

I will have to proceed with the DNA test while waiting for the officer to require it as I just noticed my father’s signature is not on any part of my B/C and this could just be the reason HMPO needs to reject my claim. Anyone have an idea if a maternity test is also needed?

SanDiegogirl

If your father is not included on your birth certificate it is very likely they will want a DNA test.
How did your mother get her naturalised British citizenship by the way?

lemonblaat

I have just confirmed that both parents needs to have the DNA test with me. I hear the pounds rolling off my wallet now

His name is on my certificate as father but his signature is not on there (claiming absolute paternity waiver part on the back of the form). Mother went work visa route long time ago and proceeded ILR until naturalization, her citizenship has nothing to do with my father.