How to apply for United Kingdom citizenship

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.

Gather proof

Collect birth and marriage certificates plus evidence of the British parent's status ('otherwise than by descent') or the UK-born grandparent.

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.

Prepare documents and fees

Assemble supporting documents and budget the registration fee or the visa costs.

File with the Home Office / UKVI

Submit the chosen application per current UKVI guidance.

Track and progress

Registration typically takes ~6 months; the Ancestry route runs through settlement to naturalisation over years.