UK Ancestry (grandparent) / descent · decided by UKVI
British 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.
Grandparent or great-grandparent claim? Complex chain? Skip the research — talk to a United Kingdom citizenship specialist in 30 minutes.
🇬🇧 One generation by descent
British citizenship passes one generation abroad — registration routes and the Ancestry visa reach further.
Eligibility
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. EasyPassport is not affiliated with UKVI. We help you organize and verify your documents. You submit your application to UKVI directly — we do not file, submit, or act on your behalf with any government authority.
Why United Kingdom
What makes United Kingdom different
Descent passes only one generation
A child born abroad to a parent who is British 'otherwise than by descent' is British by descent; British-by-descent parents generally can't pass it on abroad.
Registration fixes historical unfairness
Routes like s.3, s.4C, and s.4L register people affected by old pre-1983 maternal-line and unmarried-father rules.
The UK Ancestry visa is the grandparent route
A Commonwealth citizen with a UK-born grandparent can use the Ancestry visa (work → settlement → naturalisation), not a direct descent claim.
Significant fees
Registration runs about £1,000 (child) to £1,540 (adult), with the passport separate.
Adjudicated by the Home Office
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decides registration and visa applications.
By ancestor path
Your relationship to the British ancestor determines which rules apply
Through your parent
A parent British otherwise than by descent passes citizenship to a child born abroad (one generation).
See requirements 02GRANDPARENT-ANCESTRYUK-born grandparent (Ancestry visa)
A Commonwealth citizen with a UK-born grandparent can use the UK Ancestry visa → settlement → naturalisation.
See requirements 03HISTORICAL-REGISTRATIONHistorical-unfairness registration
Routes like s.4C and s.4L register people affected by old maternal-line / unmarried-father rules.
See requirementsProcess
How to apply
- 1
Identify your route
Direct descent (one generation), a historical-unfairness registration (s.4C/s.4L), or the UK Ancestry visa via a UK-born grandparent.
- 2
Gather proof
Collect birth and marriage certificates plus evidence of the British parent's status ('otherwise than by descent') or the UK-born grandparent.
- 3
Pick the application
For registration choose the correct section (e.g. s.4L for historical injustice); for the grandparent route prepare an Ancestry visa application.
- 4
Prepare documents and fees
Assemble supporting documents and budget the registration fee or the visa costs.
- 5
File with the Home Office / UKVI
Submit the chosen application per current UKVI guidance.
- 6
Track and progress
Registration typically takes ~6 months; the Ancestry route runs through settlement to naturalisation over years.
Choose your path
Do it yourself, or talk to a specialist?
Do it yourself
Free tool- Parent or grandparent claim with clear documentation
- You know your ancestor held United Kingdom citizenship
- Records are legible and translated where needed
- No broken-chain events (renunciation, timing gaps)
Talk to a specialist
- Great-grandparent or further-back claim
- Unsure whether a naturalization broke the chain
- Mixed ancestry — multiple possible pathways
- Want a professional to verify before gathering 10+ documents
At a glance
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
The rules that decide your case
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
A single national authority
🇬🇧 UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)
United Kingdom processes descent applications centrally through one national authority, rather than routing them through consulates.
See mailing instructionsTools & guides
Plan your application
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
🇬🇧 Not sure where to start?
See if you qualify in about two minutes.
A personalized answer based on your specific line of descent. No passport or ID uploads — ever.