Nationality

Under the British Nationality Act 1981 a person can apply to be naturalised as a British citizen if he or she has lawfully resided in the United Kingdom for not less than 5 years (section 6(1) applications) or if he or she is married to a British citizen and has lawfully resided in the United Kingdom for not less than 3 years (section 6(2) applications).

A person applying for a section 6(1) naturalisation must meet certain requirements; these include those relating to full age and capacity, five year lawful residence in the United Kingdom and residing in the United Kingdom for at least one year without time restrictions on the period of stay in the country. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of requirements and that others apply.

The first UK citizenship ceremony has now taken place, and new classes in English and citizenship are to be piloted over the coming year as part of the Government's citizenship reforms.
It is recognised that becoming a citizen should be considered as a major life changing event for those who undertake it. Therefore, the Government's reforms are intended to make the process of becoming a citizenship more meaningful and celebratory and prepare new citizens for life in the United Kingdom.
The new requirements include:

* A new and meaningful citizenship pledge;
* Language skills and knowledge about British society, which are a requirement of citizenship;

Children born in the United Kingdom will not automatically acquire British citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United Kingdom if neither of their parents are British citizens or settled in the United Kingdom at the time of their birth(1).

Children born in the UK will only be British citizens if at the time of their birth, one of their parents is a British citizen or is settled in the UK. As the law currently stands(2) , a child born to parents who are married at their time of their birth or subsequently marry may trace their entitlement to British citizenship through either parent. If the parents are not married at the time of the child?s birth or subsequently marry, the child will only acquire British citizenship if his or her mother is a British citizen or settled in the United Kingdom(3).

On 5 August 2004, the UK Passport Service (UKPS) published new requirements for passport photographs in order to comply with international harmonised standards for use at border controls and passport, visa and identity card issuance adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in May 2003. In line with the ICAO blueprint, all passport applications must include two identical recent photographs that are clear and in sharp focus. In addition to the technical guidelines as to size, background colour, quality and composition, the new specifications insist on the bearer having a neutral expression with their mouth closed, their eyes open and clearly visible, and their face and head uncovered (unless a head covering is worn for religious reasons).