If you were born before 1983 to a British mother, you may be able to register as a British citizen using application form UKM. The eligibility requirements are:

• You were born before January 1, 1983;
• You have become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent if women had been able to pass this citizenship on to their children in the same way as men at the time of your birth;
• You would have had the right of abode in the UK and have become a British citizen on January 1, 1983, if you have become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies; and
• You are of good character.

CERTIFICATE OF RETENTION

South Africans are required to apply for permission to retain their South African citizenship prior to applying for an additional citizenship. If you don’t you will lose your South African citizenship

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR RENTENTION CERTIFICATE

BIRTH CERTIFICATES 

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH OBTAINING THE BIRTH CERTICATE 

Double descent through your maternal grandfather

You will typically receive a decision on your application within 6 months.  However, these are guidelines advised by the Home Office and in some circumstances, it may take longer to register as a British citizen. 

We cannot guarantee  visa processing times in advance. All processing periods quoted are estimates only and subject to change.

If you were:

•  Were born in South Africa between May 1962 and the end of December 1987 [when South Africa was deemed to be a “foreign country” within the meaning of the British Nationality Act 1948].
• Were born to a mother or father who would have been a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by descent if it had been possible for women to pass this citizenship on to their children in the same way as men.
• They had a maternal grandparent [either or both of mother’s parents] or paternal grandmother [just their father’s mother, and not father] who was born in the UK.
• Would have had the right of abode in the UK and have become a British citizen on 1 January 1983, if they had been a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
• Are of good character.

CERTIFICATE OF RETENTION

South Africans are required to apply for permission to retain their South African citizenship prior to applying for an additional citizenship. If you don’t you will lose your South African citizenship

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR RENTENTION CERTIFICATE

BIRTH CERTIFICATES 

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH OBTAINING THE BIRTH CERTICATE 

You will typically receive a decision on your application within 6 months.  However, these are guidelines advised by the Home Office and in some circumstances, it may take longer to register as a British citizen. 

We cannot guarantee  visa processing times in advance. All processing periods quoted are estimates only and subject to change.

You may qualify if:

• Your maternal grandfather (your mother’s father) was born in the UK or Northern Ireland
• You were born during (and in) what was characterised as a “Foreign Country”. This includes South Africa during the period 31 May 1962 and 31 December 1982, the United States of America and most European countries

CERTIFICATE OF RETENTION

South Africans are required to apply for permission to retain their South African citizenship prior to applying for an additional citizenship. If you don’t you will lose your South African citizenship

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR RENTENTION CERTIFICATE

BIRTH CERTIFICATES 

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH OBTAINING THE BIRTH CERTICATE 

You will typically receive a decision on your application within 6 months.  However, these are guidelines advised by the Home Office and in some circumstances, it may take longer to register as a British citizen. 

We cannot guarantee  visa processing times in advance. All processing periods quoted are estimates only and subject to change.

You may qualify if:

• Your maternal grandfather (your mother’s father) was born in the UK or Northern Ireland
• You were born during (and in) what was characterised as a “Foreign Country”. This includes South Africa during the period 31 May 1962 and 31 December 1982, the United States of America and most European countries

BIRTH CERTIFICATES 

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP WITH OBTAINING THE BIRTH CERTICATE 

You will typically receive a decision on your application within 6 months.  However, these are guidelines advised by the Home Office and in some circumstances, it may take longer to register as a British citizen. 

We cannot guarantee  visa processing times in advance. All processing periods quoted are estimates only and subject to change.

• Mother date of birth
• Mothers Country of birth
• Fathers date of birth
• Fathers County of birth
• Were your parents married at time of your birth
• Parents marriage date
• Have you spent 3 consecutive years in the UK in the past?

• Grandmother date of birth
• Grandmother place of birth
• Were they adopted
• Grandfathers date of birth
• Grandmothers place of birth
• Grandparents parents  marriage date

Do You have a parent or grandparent that is in the Crown Service (British Military, Overseas Civil Service, Colonial Service or Diplomatic Corp)?