gavspen

Hi all,

As a British citizen born in London I was able to pass my citizenship down to my son, born in the US. He did have a British passport for some time. He had to formally renounce his citizenship (form RN I believe) for security clearance to become an officer in the US Navy.

He is now out of the Navy and I was wondering if there is any process by which he might regain his citizenship.

Any information gratefully received. Google searches didnt turn up any definitive answers.

Thanks

HKG3

The OP's son can try, please see link below -

https://www.gov.uk/renounce-british-...sh-nationality

However, the resumption of British Citizenship is a discretion - not a right.

gavspen

Huh, wonder why I couldnt find that. Thanks. Does anyone have practical experience as to how lenient (if that's the word) they actually are? Obviously this.....

You have a right (once only) to be registered as a British citizen if you renounced British citizenship in order to keep or acquire another citizenship.

.....doesnt apply, it was just to join the navy, so as you point out, it will be at the discretion of the Home Secretary. He meets all other requirements, of course.

Under such circumstances do they tend, or tend not, to allow reregistration? Anyone know?

Thanks again for the link.

BritInParis

Renunciation in order to advance one's career is normally grounds for a discretionary resumption. Your son should obviously include a covering letter to this effect and supply evidence that the renunciation of his British citizenship was necessary to advance his career in the US Navy.

gavspen

Thank you for that, most encouraging. Do you happen to know how strict they are with this rule......

With your application you should also send:
• your copy of your Declaration of Renunciation (ie form RN1, RN2, RN3, RN or
form R6).

He's not the sentimental type. He may not have kept it.

Just took a look at the fee. £1121 Pretty steep for a non-refundable fee! When I got them their (two kids) original passports I dont remember paying anything like that. I had done some sort of filing at the consulate when they were born and then later just sent in the passport form and it was issued. Am I wrong about that?

Any clue how long it takes? I know, all these questions....

Thanks again.

BritInParis

Providing your son has a clean criminal record then it would be normal to expect the application to be approved.

In that case you will need to hope the Home Office still has the record of his renunciation on file.

That's because your son is applying to registered as a British citizen. He had previously automatically received British citizenship at birth by virtue of his parentage.

I would cautiously expect a wait of six months and then you can be pleasantly surprised if it's processed in a shorter time. The time it will take to arrange his citizenship ceremony will also be a factor.

gavspen

He does.

Well, if they dont, I guess he wont even have to reapply...haha

Wouldnt that original filing at birth have been a "registration"? Oh well, whateffer, as they say. It is what it is.

Oh, he's one of those who has to have a ceremony? Didnt realise. There goes another 80 quid...haha.

Understood. Thank you very much for all this valuable information.

gavspen

That's because your son is applying to registered as a British citizen. He had previously automatically received British citizenship at birth by virtue of his parentage.

Oh ok, now I understand what you're saying here. At birth he already was a citizen. He currently is not, having renounced, and that's the difference

Thanks again.

BritInParis

That would have just been a passport application, the same as if he were born in the UK. If you have a consular birth certificate for him then that would be merely registering the birth, not conferring British citizenship.

The ceremony fee is included but it's the only part that is refundable should the application be refused.

Indeed. No worries.

gavspen

Thanks again. You obviously have extensive knowledge in this department. May I ask, Do you work in the diplomatic corps?

spouse of scouse

I can understand you being curious, but it's a bit of an unwritten rule on BE that we don't ask other members for personal information

Shirtback

^^^ This.

However, if you have a bit of a look around the forum, you should be able to see/work out that BiP is one of our expert posters, & why .