United Kingdom - flag United Kingdom - Passport & Nationality - British Citizenship (Adopted outside the UK) 4L Discretion - British mother

If a person is adopted, and their biological mother was born in the UK before 1983, then this person:

  • was born a British citizen if born after 1982; OR
  • can register as a British citizen if born before 1983.

The question is a lot more complicated if the claim relies on an adoptive mother who was born in the UK. While a registration process was available to the parents in some circumstances in the past, there are instances where gender discrimination played a part in this registration not being possible. Recent changes to British nationality law now allow for a successful application for British citizenship to be made, at the discretion of the Secretary of State. This would arise where:

  • a person was adopted outside of the UK;
  • their adoptive mother was born in the UK; AND
  • their adoptive mother was prevented from registering their child because of gender discrimination.

Finally, we have to demonstrate that there is an enduring connection to the UK. Examples include:

  • growing up in an English-speaking household;
  • attending an English-speaking school;
  • regular travel to the UK;
  • previous residence or study in the UK;
  • owning a property or business in the UK.
  • family who live in the UK.
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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

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Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.