Apply for citizenship in special circumstances

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1. Eligibility and fees

You may be eligible for British citizenship if in the past you should have:

  • automatically become a citizen

  • been able to apply to become a citizen

You바카라 사이트檒l need to show that you missed out on being or becoming a citizen because:

  • the law was unfair in the past (for example men and women were treated differently)

  • a government department or local authority made a mistake (for example not applying for you by a deadline)

  • of exceptional circumstances (for example you were adopted by a British citizen but you were over 18 by the time the adoption became legal)

This is one way to apply for British citizenship. Check if you바카라 사이트檙e eligible to apply another way - including through the Windrush scheme.

How much it costs

You might need to pay a fee, depending on your situation. You바카라 사이트檒l be told if you need to pay when you apply.

You바카라 사이트檒l also need to pay 拢130 to attend a citizenship ceremony.

2. How to apply

Documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide your passport to apply.

You바카라 사이트檒l also need to provide evidence of why you think you should have either:

  • automatically become a British citizen

  • been able to apply to become a British citizen

What evidence you need depends on your situation.

If you need help to apply, you can find an immigration adviser.

How to apply

Fill in the form.

If you apply from outside the UK

You바카라 사이트檒l be asked to make an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You바카라 사이트檒l get a letter telling you how to do this after you바카라 사이트檝e applied.

If you apply from inside the UK

You바카라 사이트檒l be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo). You바카라 사이트檒l get a letter telling you how to do this after you바카라 사이트檝e applied.

If you바카라 사이트檙e applying from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

If you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you have to apply in person or by post.

Check which you can do with your lieutenant-governor바카라 사이트檚 office.

3. After you've applied

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take longer. If yours will take longer you바카라 사이트檒l be told before 6 months have passed.

You바카라 사이트檒l be told if you need to provide more information to help with your application.

If your circumstances change

Contact UK Visas and Immigration (part of the Home Office) if your situation changes during your application. For example, you move house, get married or are arrested.

Nationality contact centre
nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

Attending a citizenship ceremony

You바카라 사이트檒l need to attend a citizenship ceremony if your application is successful.

If you live outside the UK, you바카라 사이트檒l be invited to attend a ceremony in the territory or country you바카라 사이트檙e living in.

Travelling to and from the UK

Once you get a British passport you must use this to enter the UK.

If you do not want a British passport you can apply for a certificate of entitlement instead.

You cannot enter the UK using your certificate of British citizenship.