Immigration Solicitors

There are actually six different types of British nationality and British citizenship is just one of them. Only British citizens can live and work in the UK, along with a few others with rights of abode. The 1981 British Nationality Act and associated legislation lays out the legal requirements for being a British citizen; a UK passport is the most acceptable type of proof.

There are several different ways of applying for British citizenship, depending on an applicant’s current nationality or citizenship. If you are not sure whether you meet the requirements or are confused about the best way of applying, based on your current status, contact a firm of immigration solicitors, such as Duncan Lewis, for help and advice.

Once you have decided on the type of application you intend to make, you will have several choices when it comes to actually making the application.

National Checking Service applications

The National Checking Service (NCS) is provided by local authorities in the UK, such as city and county councils. This service is able to deal with the completion of your application, which it then forwards to the UK Border Agency for processing. They will make sure that all sections have been completed as required before taking a copy of the documents and returning the originals to you. They will also ensure that the basic requirements for citizenship have been met and that the application is submitted in line with requirements. The NCS will not provide you with advice concerning nationality, but on the other hand only a small proportion of applications made in this way are unsuccessful. It also means you are able to retain your original documents and passport.

Through an agent or representative

You can have a representative make the application on your behalf if you prefer. Such agents will also be in a good position to provide you with nationality advice, which the NCS cannot. Just be sure that the representative you choose to act on your behalf has been properly registered with the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner. When making an application in this way you must only submit your original documents, copies are not acceptable. Agents or representatives tend to handle the more complicated applications for British citizenship.

Applying as an individual

Finally, might decide to bypass the NCS and agents and apply on your own behalf. When doing so you will have to submit original documents or certified copies of them. There are guides available on the Home Office website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/applying, detailing the documents that need to be submitted. An SAE should be enclosed when submitting original documents if you want them returned to you. The envelope will need to be of a sufficient size and the stamps should be adequate to cover the cost of postage. It is also advisable to include insurance appropriate to their value. The destination address will depend on whether you are located outside or inside the UK; all the necessary information is available on the website.