Get the details on the criteria to qualify for British citizenship
Rights to British nationality for a child born outside of the UK fall into two categories:
- Where the mother was born in the UK after 1 January 1983
- Where the mother was born in the UK before 1 January 1983
The question of illegitimacy is not relevant in the case of unmarried woman, in contrast to those for unmarried fathers.
Mother born in the UK after 1 January 1983
Mother was British at time of your birth
If your mother was born in the UK after 1 January 1983 and was British at the time of your birth, then you are a British citizen at birth and by operation of law (that is, without any need to apply).
In such situations, the relevant mother is considered as being British other than by descent and passes British citizenship to her children. You can apply for your British passport on this basis.
Mother was not British at time of your birth
If your mother was born in the UK after 1 January 1983 and was not British at the time of your birth, then your rights to British nationality depend on your age (whether you are under 18 or not) and the status of your parents at your birth and their status now.
If you are under 18, then click here for more information about children under 18.
It can be important to take action before a child turns 18. After they turn 18, several rights to British nationality fall away and can be lost forever.
Mother born in the UK before 1 January 1983
You are born after 1 January 1983
You are a British citizen at birth and by operation of law (that is, without any need to apply for British nationality) if you were born after 1 January 1983 to a mother who was born in the UK before 1 January 1983.
In such situations, the relevant mother is considered as being British other than by descent and passes British citizenship to her children. You can apply for your British passport.
You are born before 1 January 1983
An application for British nationality can be made if you were born before 1 January 1983 to a mother who was born in the UK.
In such situations, the relevant mother is considered as being British other than by descent and passes British citizenship to her children. You can apply for your British passport.