Kentse1973

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817215/Guide_MN1-Jul19.pdf

I am a British citizen by descent and my wife is non-British. Our child was born aboard and is non-British.

We have lived in the UK for 3 years and not left UK for more than 270 days. My family members are under spouse visa.

I wonder whether my child can register as British citizen under MN1 s3(5). I am not sure whether this rule is required BOTH parents to be British citizen by descent or either one of the parent is acceptable.

scot47

Is your child not already a British citizen ? Born to you as a British citizen by descent Other smarter folk will be here soon. I think there is no need to apply for citizenship.

SanDiegogirl

The OP is already British by descent. His child was born abroad, so OP cannot pass on citizenship.

Lpowers

I am going to be going down this route in the next year. Yes, you can register your children. You will need to first obtain a naturalization certificate, once this is received your will then be able to apply for their passports. Only one parent needs to be British (and it can be by descent) and they have to have lived in the UK with you for three years like you said. If they are approved they will then become British by Other, meaning they are now British and they can pass on their citizenship unlike if they were by descent. Hope this helps.

Kentse1973

Thanks for the replies

scot47

As with many, I find it difficult to understand the distinction between "UK citizen by descent" and "UK citizen otherwise than by descent". In reality "Second-class" and "first class" !

BritInParis

As the child is being registered they’ll be granted a certificate of registration rather than a certificate of naturalisation - it’s not possible to naturalise as a child.

BritInParis

Only one parent needs to be British but the child needs to have resided in the UK with both parents for at least three years. It appears that this is the case for your family. As such you can register your children as a British citizen under S.3(5). Your wife will need to complete five years on spouse visas and then apply for ILR. Once granted she’ll be immediately eligible to naturalise as a British citizen.

Kentse1973

Thanks BP!