United Kingdom citizenship by descent
British citizenship passes one generation by descent — a child born abroad to a UK-born or registered British parent. Going further usually needs a registration route or the UK Ancestry visa. Check whether you qualify, build your lineage, and get a primary-source-backed document checklist and cost estimate.
Who may qualify
- A parent who is British 'otherwise than by descent' → you're British by descent (one generation).
- British-by-descent parents generally can't pass it to a child born abroad without UK residence or special service.
- Registration routes (s.3, s.4C, s.4L) fix historical unfairness (pre-1983 maternal line, unmarried fathers).
- A UK-born grandparent + Commonwealth citizenship → the UK Ancestry visa (work → settlement → naturalisation).
A general overview — your eligibility depends on the specifics of your line. The free check gives a personalized answer.
Not sure where to start?
The free eligibility check takes about two minutes.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the United Kingdom ancestor determines which rules apply.
A parent British otherwise than by descent passes citizenship to a child born abroad (one generation).
A Commonwealth citizen with a UK-born grandparent can use the UK Ancestry visa → settlement → naturalisation.
Routes like s.4C and s.4L register people affected by old maternal-line / unmarried-father rules.
What you'll need
- Government fee
- Registration ~£1,000 (child) / £1,540 (adult); a passport is separate
- Typical timeline
- ~6 months (registration)
- Where
- UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
Key dates & laws
1 Jan 1983
Commencement of the British Nationality Act 1981.
s.4L (since 28 June 2022)
The main route for historical injustice (e.g., a UK-born grandmother, pre-1983 cases).
Where it's processed
UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
Tools
Guides
Frequently asked questions
- Who qualifies for United Kingdom citizenship by descent?
- Eligibility runs through the UK Ancestry (grandparent) / descent pathway and depends on your specific line of descent — which ancestor was a citizen, when, and whether the chain was ever broken by naturalization or other events. Run the free eligibility check for a personalized answer.
- Which authority decides United Kingdom citizenship cases?
- UKVI. EasyPassport is not affiliated with them; we help you organize and verify, and you submit to the authority directly.
- How long does it take?
- Timelines vary widely by route and backlog and are outside any service's control. Treat published averages as estimates and confirm current waits with the authority.
- Do I need to upload my passport or ID?
- No. EasyPassport never stores passports or government IDs — it's a checklist and organization tool, not a document vault.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. We use “may qualify” language because the authority makes the final determination. For an individualized opinion, consult a qualified attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Other countries we support
EasyPassport is not affiliated with UKVI, any government, or any consulate. This is a document-organization tool, not legal advice — always verify with the relevant authority.