Hello! Thank you to anyone who can provide guidance. I’m applying via the UKM form for citizenship via Double Descent.

UK born maternal grandmother born in 1913, moves to US in 1915

My Mom born in 1943 in US

I was born in 1977 in US

A few weeks ago I submitted my UKM application and have my biometrics appointment next week. I have not uploaded my documents yet (copy of my US passport, grandmothers UK birth certificate, grandmothers marriage license, mothers birth certificate, parents marriage certificate and my birth certificate). I ordered via the UK gov site a digital copy of my grandmothers UK birth certificate. Will that version be OK to submit with my paperwork? Also, I keep seeing posts on Reddit that show examples of what to write out to support your case. I don’t remember there being a section on the application where you can write that. Did I miss it?

Form ARD is only available as a paper application form so you’ll need to submit your supporting documents by post - there is no option to upload them. Are you sure you completed the correct form?

Oh my goodness, thank you! I did submit a UKM form. Based on my information should I have submitted an ARD application?

This thread has a wealth of information about the process including multiple people with similar cases that were approved. British Citizenship by Discretion (CBR post 1982)

Yes, based on what you shared. I’d wait for BritInParis to advise on next steps.

I’d recommend withdrawing your Form UKM application and applying via Form ARD. You’ll also need paper copies of the relevant certificates so you’ll need to order those and wait for them to arrive before applying.

If you have any children under 18 then you can register them using Form MN1 once you have attended your citizenship ceremony.

Thank you very much. A few follow up questions. I had originally gathered referee information from a british friend and another professional who both live out of state. I had used the separate Referee forms needed for the UKM application. Switching over to the ARD form, can I just include the referee forms I have already collected or do I need to start over and mail my application out to each referee for them to fill out? That will take a lot of time mailing it back and forth across the US. Additionally would I need to pay the over $1000 fee for the ARD app or would I qualify for just the ceremony fee?

I don't have any anecdotal evidence to suggest it won't be accepted but then I don't have any evidence it will be accepted either. Given the processing time can be up to six months, I'd personally bite the bullet and just pay to post the relevant Form ARD pages to your friends and have them complete them and return them to you.

As you were born before 1983 then you will just need to pay the ceremony fee which is £130 (~$175).

Thank you! I'm going to follow your advice. Better to do it correctly than risk all this work being for nothing. I did some research through the threads and put together my statement for the ARD. I believe it's a version you had edited for another applicant. I do have a few last questions, if you would be so kind to help answer.

1. Do I need to include a specifically worded cover letter with my application and materials or just a very generic one stating the contents of the application and documents?

2. My maternal grandmother xx xx, née xx, was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, United Kingdom on xx xx 1913. As such she became a natural-born British subject under Section 1(1)(a) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 on 1 January 1915.
My mother, xx xx, née xx, was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States on xx xxx 1943 and thus was a natural-born British subject under Section 1(1)(a) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914. If the law at the time had treated men and women equally then my mother would have automatically become a Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) on 1 January 1949 under Section 12(2) of the British Nationality Act 1948.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States on xx xxx 1977. If the law at the time had treated men and women equally, then my mother would have subsequently been able to register my birth at a United Kingdom consulate within a year of its occurrence, thereby making me a CUKC under Section 5(1)(b) of the British Nationality Act 1948. As a CUKC with the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom under Section 2(1)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act 1971, I would therefore have automatically become a British citizen on 1 January 1983 under Section 11(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

3. For the questions on the ARD application, I would select YES to the following questions?
1.1 Are you applying because you would have been or been able to become a British Citizen but for historical legislative unfairness? YES
1.4 (b) Would you have had an automatic claim to British Citizenship, but for historical legislative unfairness, an act or omission by a public body or because you have exceptional circumstances, that prevented you becoming a British Citizen?
The 'Historical unfairness', 'Act of omission of a public authority' and 'Exceptional circumstances' sections of ARD Guide provide more information: YES

4. If my grandmother potentially naturalized in the US while a minor via her father would that be grounds for my application being rejected?

One last (hopefully) question. I did some digging and found a statement from a previous thread. Would this wording work for the ARD application?

My maternal grandmother xx xx, née xx, was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, United Kingdom on xx xx 1913. As such she became a natural-born British subject under Section 1(1)(a) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 on 1 January 1915.

My mother, xx xx, née xx, was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States on xx xxx 1943 and thus would have been a natural-born British subject under Section 1(1)(a) of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914. If the law at the time had treated men and women equally then my mother would have automatically become a Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) on 1 January 1949 under Section 12(2) of the British Nationality Act 1948.

I was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States on xx xxx 1977. If the law at the time had treated men and women equally, then my mother would have subsequently been able to register my birth at a United Kingdom consulate within a year of its occurrence, thereby making me a CUKC under Section 5(1)(b) of the British Nationality Act 1948. As a CUKC with the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom under Section 2(1)(b)(ii) of the Immigration Act 1971, I would therefore have automatically become a British citizen on 1 January 1983 under Section 11(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Apologies for the delay. I missed this somehow.

1. You don't need to include a cover letter although you may find it easier to write 'See cover letter for further information' in the empty box for Q1.5 and then include your argument there having typed it up and printed it off on a computer rather than trying to write it in the box by hand.

2. Try the following:

3. Answer 'Yes' for Q1.1; 'No' for Q1.4(a) and 'Yes' for Q1.4(b).

4. British nationality law did restrict dual nationality before 1 January 1949. Naturalisation in a foreign country would cause a British subject to lose that status under Section 13 BNSAA 1914 however the person would need to be "not under disability", which is notoriously defined in Section 27 BNSAA 1914 as "the status of being a married woman, or a minor, lunatic, or idiot". If your mother became a US citizen whilst she was a minor - so under 21 at the time - then she would not have lost her British subject status under Section 13. However if your grandmother was included on her father's application for naturalisation then you may potentially have an issue under Section 12 BNSAA 1914. As such I would not make reference, or include any documentation, relating to your grandmother becoming a US citizen.

Thank you so very much!!