travel document for child born in uk

Tickets and travel documents

There’s a lot to think about when travelling with a family, from making sure everyone’s passports are valid (despite having checked it one hundred times already) to knowing what ticket to buy for your different aged children. Luckily, we’re here to help you from the moment you book until the moment you land.

Passports, visas and other documentation

Please check with the IATA Travel Centre that your passports an d other travel documents are valid for your whole journey, before you travel.

Some countries' immigration departments require additional documentation for any children under 18 years of age, (whether they are your children, your grandchildren or children of friends,) who are travelling into, out of or transiting their country. The extra documentation that you may require varies by country and changes regularly so please check the country's embassy website for more information.

The IATA Travel Centre can advise you which documents are required for each country you’ll be visiting or transiting. Enter your child’s date of birth so that the extra requirements are displayed.

Tickets for infants, children and young adults

These are the age categories we use when you make a booking with us:

Infants: 0 - 23 months Children: 2 - 11 years Young adults: 12 - 15 years Adults: over 16 years

When traveling with your infant (under 2), you have two ticket choices: 

• Your infant sits on your lap. You’ll pay an infant fare, which is a percentage of the adult fare.
• Your infant sits in their own seat. You’ll pay a child fare for this ticket. The infant must travel in an approved  car seat or AmSafe System  that fits into the aircraft seat securely.

If you’d like your infant to have their own seat, or to add your infant to an existing booking, please contact us and we'll be pleased to help you.

Once your little one turns 2 years old, they'll be considered a child and will need to travel in their own seat. You'll need to book and pay for a Child fare.

All children under 14 years must travel accompanied by an adult aged 16 years or over. Anyone under the age of 14 won't be allowed to fly unaccompanied.

Young adults

We allow children aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on domestic or international British Airways flights. All children aged under 16 travelling alone must carry a printed copy of:

• A completed parental/guardian consent form
• Photographic identification of the parent/guardian who completed the form showing their signature

Parents or guardians can  download the consent form  and once completed, print it out along with a copy of their current passport or another form of photographic identification showing their signature.

Booking with partner airlines

If your journey involves travelling with one of our partner airlines, their rules for infants and children may be different and will apply. Please check the airline’s website or call your local British Airways office for the correct information.

Infants who become children while travelling

If you're travelling with an infant who reaches the age of 2 during their journey, your child will need their own seat for any flights on and after their 2nd birthday. We won’t charge you extra; you'll only pay the infant fare for the entire journey.

This booking can't be made online, so contact us and we'll be pleased to help you.

Making a booking for an unborn infant

If you know you want to travel shortly after you’re due to give birth, you can make your own booking as usual. Please contact us after your baby is born and we’ll arrange for your baby’s ticket to be issued. You must always have a ticket for your infant's journey.

Newborn babies must be at least 48 hours old and have been born without any complications before they can travel with us. However, we recommend waiting until the baby is one week old. If you plan to fly soon after your baby's birth, please check with your treating doctor it's safe for both you and your baby to travel.

If you had a Caesarean section or other surgery was needed during or after the birth, you can travel 10 days after, with medical clearance from our Health Services. We would advise that your treating doctor approve your travel first.

Booking a child into a different cabin

You can book your child to travel in a different cabin from yourself. Just make your booking first, then contact us to make a separate booking for your child.

Children between 5 and 12 can be booked into a different cabin from you.

Children under 5 must travel with someone over the age of 16.

If you're a Gold or Silver Executive Club Member, your child can come with you into the lounge as your eligible guest, regardless of the cabin you're travelling in.

You should board the aircraft as a family, with your child. Once on board, your child will be directed to their seat in the cabin that they are booked into.

You, as the child’s parent or guardian, will be responsible for their health, wellbeing and behaviour, both on the ground and on board. Please ensure that your child understands that they must follow crew instructions at all times and make sure they have any necessary items with them before boarding as it may not always be possible for you to visit them during the flight.

Should your child need any assistance during the flight, you'll need to voluntarily downgrade to the same cabin as your child. We're unable to upgrade your child to the cabin you’re travelling in.

• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Apply for Travel Documents in the UK

Last Updated: February 22, 2022 References

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 5,355 times.

If you live in the UK but aren't a British citizen and can't get a passport from your home country, you might be able to get travel documents from the British Home Office if you need to travel outside the country. Generally, you're only eligible for travel documents if you're staying in the UK as a refugee or stateless person, or if you're settled in the UK permanently (what the Home Office calls "indefinite leave to remain"). You can apply for travel documents online through the Home Office, but you have to mail the completed application along with supporting documentation. If you don't have a biometric residence permit (BRP), you'll need to apply for one of those when you apply for your travel document. [1] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source

Choosing the Right Travel Document

• This travel document is typically valid for up to 10 years, depending on the validity of your biometric residence permit (BRP). You can travel to any country except your country of origin.

• Stateless travel documents are usually valid for 10 years, although they might be issued with a shorter validity depending on your situation. You can typically travel to any and all countries.
• You're only considered stateless if you are not recognized as a citizen of any country. Some refugees are stateless, but not all. If you're not sure if you've been officially recognized as stateless, you probably haven't. Fewer than 100 people in the UK have been recognized as stateless since the official determination procedure was started in 2014. [4] X Research source

• To get this documentation, apply for a passport using your home country's usual process. When your application is denied, save the original letter you get back from your home country.
• You also need to show why the denial was unreasonable. The Home Office considers a denial reasonable if, for example, you have a criminal record in your home country or did not provide enough evidence to confirm your identity.
• If you are granted a COT, it will typically have 5 years of validity. You can travel to any country with this document except for your country of origin.

• While you do need to provide documentation to confirm your identity, you don't need to apply for a BRP to use this type of travel document.
• This document is issued to any non-British citizen in the UK who doesn't have a passport and wants to leave the country. It can only be used for one journey out of the country and is valid for a year, although it's generally intended to be used immediately. [7] X Research source
• One-way travel documents are typically issued for travel to a specified country. If you have to travel through one country to get to your destination country, that country will also be listed on your document.

Filling out Your Application

• After you provide your location, you'll be asked to select which type of travel document you want to apply for. If you're not sure, click on the question so see who qualifies for each type.

Tip: If you don't feel comfortable using a computer or do not have internet access, you can get help over the phone by calling 03333 445 675. This phone line is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• If you're applying for a one-way travel document, your document will only be valid for travel to the country you specified. However, all other travel documents are typically valid for travel to any country, except your country of origin or the country from which you sought asylum.
• If you're applying for a COT, you'll also need to discuss your process of applying for a passport from your country of origin and the reason your application for a passport was denied.

Tip: If members of your family are also applying for travel documents at the same time, you each have to apply online and pay your fees separately.

• The online application will ask you if you have a BRP. If you do, simply answer "yes." If you answer "no," the BRP application will come up for you to fill out.
• You will have to provide a digital photo and digital fingerprints along with your signature for your BRP. You can get these done at any government service and support center or post office branch. As of January 2020, the fee is £19.20 for biometrics. [11] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source

Warning: If you already have a BRP but need to amend or replace it, you must do this before you apply for your travel document. You can't use the application included with the travel document application.

• Refugee and stateless person's travel documents are £75 for adults, £49 for children under 15, and £0 if you were born before September 1, 1929.
• One-way travel documents are £75 for all adults (regardless of age) and £49 for children under 15.
• A COT is £280 for all adults (regardless of age) and £141 for children under 15.

Submitting Your Application

• If you're applying for a travel document as a refugee or stateless person, you'll need the British court order or certificate that shows you've been officially recognized as a refugee or stateless person, as well as your BRP.
• If you're applying for a COT, you need documents that prove that you applied for a passport from your home country and that application was unreasonably denied. This might include a letter from your home country's immigration authority or a copy of your passport application. A COT typically requires the most documentation.

Tip: Make a photocopy of your BRP to send with your application — do not send your original BRP. All other documents must be originals.

• There are many translation companies in the UK that offer professional translation services. You can find these companies with a quick internet search. You might also use the search engine provided by the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, a professional association of translators. Go to https://www.iti.org.uk/component/itisearch/?view=translators to find a translator who is a member of the association.

• Your signature will be scanned and digitally included on your travel documents.
• After you've signed your declaration page, make a photocopy of your entire application so you have it for your records.

• Scan the document and email it to [email protected] or fax it to 020 8196 0109.
• You still must include the paper originals of any documents you fax or email in your package that you send to the Home Office.

• Send your documents to: Travel Documents Section UK Visas and Immigration Lunar House 40 Wellesley Road Croydon CR9 2BY
• After verifying the information in your application, the Home Office returns documents that don't need to be kept with your application. If you want these documents returned to you by Special Delivery, include a prepaid Special Delivery envelope with your package.
• If you realize after you've sent your package that you left out a document, don't send it separately. Instead, wait to hear back from the Home Office. They will send you a letter to request any documents that are missing from your application package.

• It typically takes 3 to 4 months for the Home Office to process an application for a travel document. [19] X Research source

• If you're writing a physical letter, mail it to: Travel Documents Section UK Visas and Immigration Lunar House 40 Wellesley Road Croydon CR9 2BY
• You can also send an email to [email protected].

Expert Q&A

• Before you travel, check with the embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit and make sure your travel documents will be accepted at the border. You also may need a visa. [21] X Trustworthy Source Official UK government website Official website for the public sector of the UK government Go to source Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• The guidance notes, available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-home-office-travel-document-form-td112-brp , provide more information about the process of applying for travel documents. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't book travel until you've received your travel document in case there are any delays or issues with the approval of your application. [22] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't apply for a travel document if you have less than 6 months' leave to remain in the UK. Your travel document will only be valid to the extent of your leave to remain in the UK and most countries won't accept travel documents with less than 6 months' validity. [23] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-home-office-travel-document
• ↑ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/752814/TD112_BRP_Guidance_Notes_11_2018.pdf
• ↑ https://files.institutesi.org/ISI_statistics_analysis_2018.pdf
• ↑ https://www.gov.uk/apply-home-office-travel-document/how-to-apply
• ↑ https://www.gov.uk/biometric-residence-permits/personal-data
• ↑ https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/travel-document
• ↑ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/488177/Home_Office_travel_documents_guidance_v6.0EXT_clean.pdf

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British citizenship for child born in UK to non-British parents

If a child is born in the UK but their parents do not have British nationality, they may still be able to register as a British citizen.

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Benefits of Choosing IAS for Your Residency Application

IAS is the ideal choice for a range of UK residency applications, such as indefinite leave to remain, long residence and permanent settlement.

Our expert, capable lawyers can help address a wide range of issues and concerns, helping to make the process of applying for residency simple and hassle-free.

At IAS, we are committed to offering the highest-quality level of service available in the law sector. When getting in touch with us for help, you will:

Fully understand all the steps you need to take to succeed in your residency application.

Be fully prepped on all Home Office-required documents and evidence you will need to submit.

Receive regular check-ins from your personal immigration lawyer throughout the entire process.

Continue to receive support from your lawyer to address any requests from the Home Office.

Services we Provide

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

British citizenship for Children born in the UK

A child born in the UK to non-British parents may not automatically qualify for  British Citizenship. British Citizenship at birth is only available to children with a parent who holds British Citizenship or settled status.

For a child of non-British parents to receive British Citizenship by birth, at least one parent must have ‘settled status’ in the UK. This can be either Indefinite Leave to Remain or EEA Permanent Residence. You must have evidence to show that either one or both parents are ‘settled’ in the UK. Examples include proof that you passed the Life in the UK test, and ILR certificate or a Permanent Residence Card. You will be able to register your child as a British citizen if you are granted settled status after their birth.

What are the requirements for British citizenship by birth?

The most common way to receive automatic British Citizenship is for one or more of the child’s parents to hold  British Citizenship at the time of birth . Children with parents who hold British Citizenship will not need to register. They will be eligible for such things as a  British passport  at birth.

For non-British residents, holding ‘ settled status ’ at the time of your child’s birth will also entitle them to British Citizenship. Settled status includes  Indefinite Leave to Remain  and  EEA Permanent Residence . This usually requires at least five years of continuous residence in the UK before you are eligible, so it may be something to consider before trying for a baby in the UK.

Can a child born to non-British parents apply for British Citizenship?

For a baby born in the UK to non-British parents who do not have settled status, there is an option to register them after their birth.

If one or more parents is granted settled status or British Citizenship after the birth, you will be able to register your child as a British citizen. This will mean that your child is no longer subject to UK Immigration Rules and their status in the country will be protected as a British citizen.

There is also a 10-year continuous residence route. A child born in the UK to non-British parents who remains in the UK for at least the first 10 years of their life is eligible to register as a British citizen. This also comes with the condition that the child must not spend longer than 90 days out of the country in each year they have lived in the UK.

This route naturally requires an extensive amount of documentation for each year of your child’s life to prove that they meet the continuous residence requirement. It is recommended that you seek expert advice when applying through this route.

Who is eligible to register as a British citizen?

If you were born in the UK, your eligibility to register as a British citizen depends on several different circumstances including when you were born and the immigration status of your parents.

You could be eligible to register as a British citizen if you were born on or after 1st January 1983 and since your birth one of your parents has become a British citizen or obtained settled status, or if you lived in the UK until you were at least 10.

To be eligible your parents must have obtained one of the following immigration stratus’s after your birth:

• British Citizenship
• Indefinite leave to remain
• Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• Indefinite leave to enter
• Permanent residence status

You also must be under the age of 18 to register.

You don’t need to register for citizenship if when you were born one or both of your parents were British citizens or had settled status, if this is the case you will automatically be a British citizen. You will also usually have automatic citizenship if you were born in the UK before 1st January 1983.

Our immigration lawyers can assist with British citizenship registration applications

How to apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK

To register as a British citizen you can apply online by filling in the form available on the gov.uk website.

You will also need to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. During your appointment you will have your biometric information taken, this is your fingerprints and photograph.

When submitting your application you will also need to submit your supporting documents that prove you are able to meet the citizenship registration requirements. You can submit your documents by either uploading copies of them using the Home Office’s online service of by having them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment.

You can also submit an application by post but the processing time will be significantly longer if you choose to apply this way.

You will usually receive a decision on your application within 6 months, although this time may be longer. If your application is successful you may need to attend a British citizenship ceremony if you are 18 years old or over. Once you have registered as a British citizen you can apply for your first UK passport.

How can IAS help?

UK immigration laws surrounding British nationality and citizenship are complex and can be difficult to understand. Luckily, our immigration lawyers are experts in UK immigration law and can support you with any issue you may be facing.

If your child was born in the UK, but you are unsure whether they are eligible for British citizenship, our immigration lawyers can help you to figure it out.

Our expert lawyers will assess your family’s case and advise you on the best route for registering your child as a British citizen. We offer application services in which one of our expert lawyers will manage your child’s application and submit it for you, ensuring everything is completed to a professional standard. We can also liaise with the Home Office on your behalf throughout the application process.

To discuss your case with an expert lawyer, call  0333 363 8577  or make an enquiry online. We have offices in  London ,  Manchester , and  Birmingham , as well as in  many other locations  throughout the UK.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to register as a british citizen.

The application fee to register as a British citizen is  £1,012 as well as the application fee, you will also need to pay to have your biometric information taken, this costs £19.20.

How do you become a citizen of Britain?

For children under 18, the process of becoming a British citizen is known as registering. For most adult application, the process is naturalisation.  Naturalisation  is the name given to the process of becoming a citizen of another country.

For those registering as a British citizen, there is no citizenship ceremony requirement. However, if your child turns 18 during their application process, you will be expected to provide an extra £80 to cover this ceremony fee.

Children born in the UK to non-British parents will also not be subject to many of the same requirements as in adult naturalisation. They will not be expected to prove their English Language ability or to take the Life in the UK test.

What is form MN1?

Form MN1  will be required to register a child born in the UK to non-British parents applying through any route.

This form requires in-depth information about your child’s time in the country. You will need to state every place that they have lived and all countries they may have visited. This will be vital if your child is applying under the continuous residence route. The Home Office will expect to see that they have not spent 90 days outside the country for each year of their life.

You will need to provide a number of important personal documents, such as a birth certificate and any passport they may already hold. You will also need to submit biometric evidence. This is to receive your child’s Biometric Residence Permit. The application includes submitting fingerprints and facial data and the Permit will be issued as a wallet-sized card.

What services does IAS offer?

We have an excellent track record of helping children born in the UK to non-British parents register as British citizens. We offer a high-quality, comprehensive service that will give you the best chance for a successful result.

Our services include:

• Assessment of eligibility for your child. We will determine the best route for registering your child.
• Assessment of your own immigration status. If you do not yet hold settled status or British Citizenship, we will advise you on how to get this before registering your child.
• Full document check. We will inform you of which documents to provide and verify that they can be used for your application.
• Completion of all application forms. Your lawyer will complete the relevant application forms for you.
• Letter of Representation. This is a professional document that is submitted with your application in support of your case.
• Liaising with the Home Office. Your lawyer will remain in contact with the authorities until a decision is made.

For more information, or to find out more about your family’s options, contact us online or by calling  0333 363 8577  today.

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We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

Related pages for your continued reading

British Citizenship by Marriage

British citizenship by marriage is a fundamental step for foreign spouses who wish to settle in the UK with their partners. Learn more here.

UK Citizenship for Child Born Abroad

If you wish to get British citizenship for your child born abroad, our team of immigration lawyers can help you. Learn more here.

British Citizenship by Birth

British citizenship by birth cannot always be acquired through one of the parents’ status. Click here to find out if you or your child is eligible.

British citizenship by descent

British citizenship by descent is when someone who was born overseas is able to apply for citizenship based on their parents or grandparents status as British citizens.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Get in touch with us for expert, success-oriented assistance for indefinite leave to remain, long residence and settlement in the UK.

British Passport Application

Applying for a British Passport is the last step of your UK citizenship journey. We can help you obtain a UK passport. Click here to learn more.

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Getting British citizenship for children

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

If you want to get British citizenship for your child, you can apply to ‘register’ them as a British citizen. Registering is a way of applying for British citizenship. 

Your child needs British citizenship before they can get a UK passport.

If your child is over 18 years old, they’ll need to apply as an adult - check citizenship eligibility for adults .

If your child is under 18, it’s important to check if applying for citizenship is the right thing for them. It can cost over £1,000 and you won’t get your money back if your application is refused or your child is already British.

If you can’t afford the fee

You can apply for a ‘fee waiver’. If you get a fee waiver, you will not have to pay the fee.

To apply for a fee waiver, you have to show you don’t have enough income and savings to pay for both the fee and essential costs like food and rent. You’ll need to send documents showing your income and spending for the last 6 months, for example your:

bank statements for all your accounts

tenancy agreement

utility bills

If social services give you money to help you look after your child, you’ll automatically get a fee waiver - you’ll need to send documents to prove this.

You can apply for a fee waiver on GOV.UK .

Check if your child is already a British citizen

Your child might have British citizenship automatically if they were born in the UK or they have a British parent.

You can check how the Home Office decide if someone is automatically a British citizen on GOV.UK .

If your child is already a British citizen, you don’t need to apply for citizenship for them. You can just apply for your child’s first passport on GOV.UK .

If you’re not sure your child is a British citizen, talk to an adviser .

If you’re pregnant or planning to have a child 

If you have permission to live in the UK permanently when your child is born, they’ll get British citizenship automatically. You’ll need to prove you have:

British or Irish citizenship

settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

indefinite leave to remain

right of abode

permanent residence - if your child was born before 1 July 2021

If you get settled status after your child is born, they will still be a British citizen if both of the following apply:

you were eligible for settled status on 30 June 2021 - check if you can apply for settled status

they are born after 30 June 2021

If you have permanent residence, you might not have a document to prove it. If you're in this situation,  talk to an adviser .

Check if you can apply for citizenship for your child

If your child isn’t already a British citizen, you might be able to apply for citizenship for them. It depends on where they were born and your immigration status.

If you’re also applying for citizenship yourself, you can apply for your child at the same time. You’ll need to fill in a different form for them.

If your child is over 10 years old, they must be ‘of good character’. Your child will usually be of good character unless they’ve got a criminal conviction. 

If you’re not sure your child is of good character,  talk to an adviser .

If your child was born in the UK

You can apply to register your child for British citizenship if:

you got permission to live in the UK permanently after your child was born

your child's father was British or settled in the UK when your child was born

you joined the UK armed forces after your child was born

your child lived in the UK until they were 10 years old

If you got permission to live in the UK permanently after your child was born

You can register your child for citizenship if you or their other parent became ‘settled in the UK’ after they were born, for example if you:

have British citizenship

have indefinite leave to remain (or enter)

got permanent residence 

are an Irish citizen living in the UK

have settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme

You can apply to register your child for British citizenship using form MN1 on GOV.UK .

If you got settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme after your child was born

Your child will automatically be a British citizen if both of the following apply: 

they were born after 30 June 2021

you were eligible for settled status on 30 June 2021 - even if you hadn’t applied by that date

If you’re in this situation, you don’t need to register your child as British - you can just apply for your child's first passport on GOV.UK .

If your child's father was British or settled in the UK

Your child will usually be a British citizen if their biological father had British citizenship or was settled in the UK when they were born. You’re settled in the UK if you:

have indefinite leave

have right of abode

have permanent residence 

In some situations your child will not be a British citizen, even if their biological father was a British citizen or settled in the UK when they were born. Your child won’t be a British citizen if: 

they were born on or after 1 July 2006 and their mother was married to someone else

they were born before 1 July 2006 and their parents weren't married

If your child is in one of these situations, you might be able to register them as British - you don’t have to pay the citizenship application fee. 

If your child was born on or after 1 July 2006

You can read the UKF(M) form guidance on GOV.UK to find out what requirements your child has to meet to register as British.

If they’re eligible, you can apply to register your child for British citizenship using form UKF(M) on GOV.UK . 

If your child was born before 1 July 2006

You can check the requirements your child has to meet to register as British on GOV.UK . 

If they’re eligible, you can apply to register your child for British citizenship using form UKF on GOV.UK .

If you joined the UK armed forces after your child was born

You can apply to register your child as British if:

you or their other parent joined the UK armed forces after your child was born

your child was born on or after 13 January 2010 

If your child has lived in the UK for the last 10 years

What you can do depends on whether your child lived in the UK from when they were born until they reached 10 years old.

If your child lived in the UK until they reached 10 years old

If your child is not already a British citizen, they’ll usually be eligible for citizenship - even if you or your child don’t have the right to live in the UK permanently. 

You can apply to register your child for citizenship using form T on GOV.UK .

If your child didn’t live in the UK until they reached 10 years old

you, your child and the child’s other parent are all in the UK legally

your child has lived here for the last 10 years

If you’re in the UK legally and your child doesn’t have regular contact with their other parent, it doesn’t matter where the other parent lives.

You’ll need to apply to register your child as British using form MN1. Before you apply read all the form MN1 guidance on GOV.UK . It costs over £1,000 to apply if you don’t get a fee waiver. If your application is refused, you won’t get your money back. 

If your child was born outside the UK

The rules about getting British citizenship for your child depend on your status and their status.

If you got British citizenship after your child was born

You can apply to register your child as British if you meet all the Home Office’s criteria. They’ll consider things like:

if you and your child plan to live in the UK - if you or your child plan to live abroad their application might be refused

how long your child has lived in the UK - if they’re over 13 years old, they usually need to have lived in the UK for 2 years before you apply

your child’s immigration status - they’ll usually be refused if they don’t have indefinite leave or permanent residence

the immigration status and nationality of you and your child’s other parent

Your immigration status and nationality

You can apply to register your child as British if one of their parents is British or applying to become British. 

Your child’s other parent must either be British or settled in the UK. If their other parent has an immigration status that will lead to settlement, your child’s application might still be successful.

You’re settled in the UK if you have one of the following:

indefinite leave

Irish citizenship and you're living in the UK

If you’re British and your child doesn’t have regular contact with their other parent, the other parent’s immigration status doesn’t matter.

If you’re applying for citizenship for yourself and you’re not sure your application will be successful,  talk to an adviser .

Apply to register your child

You’ll need to apply to register your child as British using form MN1. It’s important that you read all the form MN1 guidance on GOV.UK before you apply. It costs over £1,000 to apply if you don’t get a fee waiver. If your application is refused, you won’t get your money back. 

You can apply to register your child for citizenship using form MN1 on GOV.UK .

If your child’s father was British when your child was born

Your child will usually be a British citizen if their biological father both:

had British citizenship when your child was born

was born in the UK or applied for British citizenship

In some situations your child will not be a British citizen, even if their biological father was a British citizen when they were born. Your child won’t be a British citizen if: 

If your child is in one of these situations, you might be able to register them as British - you don’t have to pay the citizenship application fee.

If they’re eligible, you can apply to register your child for citizenship using form UKF(M) on GOV.UK . 

If they’re eligible, you can apply to register your child for citizenship using form UKF on GOV.UK .

If you got British citizenship automatically when you were born

If you were born outside the UK, you are ‘British by descent’. This means you can’t automatically pass on British nationality to your children if they are born outside the UK. 

If you’re British by descent, you can apply to register your child as British if either:

you lived in the UK for 3 years at any time before your child was born

your whole family came to live in the UK for 3 years after your child was born

If you lived in the UK for 3 years before your child was born 

When you register your child as British, they’ll also be British by descent. This means they will not be able to pass on British nationality to any children they have outside the UK.

If your whole family comes to live in the UK after your child is born

You can apply to register your child as British after you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years. When you register your child, they’ll be ‘British otherwise than by descent’ - this means they can pass on British nationality to any children they have outside the UK.

Your whole family is your child and both their parents. If you’ve divorced or ended your civil partnership, or the other parent has died, your whole family is you and your child.

You can apply to register your child as British using form MN1 on GOV.UK .

If you were born in the UK

Your child will usually be a British citizen automatically. You can check how the Home Office decide if someone is automatically a British citizen on GOV.UK .

If your child has lived in the UK for the last 5 years

You can apply to register your child as British if you, your child and the child’s other parent are all settled in the UK. You must all have lived in the UK legally for the last 5 years and your child must have been settled for 1 year.

Irish citizenship - and you’re living in the UK

If you’re settled and your child doesn’t have regular contact with their other parent, it doesn’t matter where the other parent lives or what their immigration status is.

You’ll need to apply to register your child as British using form MN1. Before you apply read all the form MN1 guidance in full on GOV.UK . It costs over £1,000 to apply if you don’t get a fee waiver. If your application is refused, you won’t get your money back. 

You can apply to register your child as British if you, your child and the child’s other parent are all in the UK legally and your child has lived here for the last 10 years.

If your child doesn’t have regular contact with their other parent, it doesn’t matter where the other parent lives or what their immigration status is.

You’ll need to apply to register your child as British using form MN1. Before you apply read the form MN1 guidance in full on GOV.UK . It costs over £1,000 if you don’t get a fee waiver. If your application is refused, you won’t get your money back. 

If your child isn’t eligible for citizenship in any country

This is known as being ‘stateless’. You can check how the Home Office decide if someone can get citizenship because they’re stateless on GOV.UK .

If your child isn’t eligible for citizenship

The Home Office might grant your child citizenship: 

if your child needs to be British for their job - for example, if they plan to join the Armed Forces or they’re going to represent the UK in sport

for compassionate reasons - for example, you’re British and caring for a child in your family whose parents have died and you want to get citizenship for the child

If you’re applying because your child needs to be British for their job or for compassionate reasons,  talk to an adviser .

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Refugee Travel Documents

Updates, commentary, training and advice on immigration and asylum law

• 8th March 2024
• BY Stewart MacLachlan

Changes to process for babies born to refugees after their grant of status

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Page contents

The previous position

The july 2023 changes, ability to access legal assistance, ability to access a convention travel document.

• Were these changes required by G v G?

A guidance change made in July 2023 is affecting the ability of the new-born babies of refugees to obtain refugee status. This is an issue that affects a limited group of people, namely those who have been granted refugee leave for five years, and have a child born in the UK during this period. However the impact can be significant as formal refugee status is important in terms of security and recognition of status, as well as rights like obtaining a convention travel document.

The changes in approach to child dependants in asylum claims were made following the Supreme Court case of G v G [2021] UKSC 9 . The decision related to a child in the asylum system in the UK who was also subject to child abduction proceedings under the Hague Convention. Although the main thrust of the decision related to the interaction between refugee and abduction proceedings, it has had a significant impact on families in the UK claiming asylum.

Shortly after the decision in G v G , the Home Office introduced the concept of a ‘ Family Asylum Claim’ ( covered here ). Under this process, a family’s asylum claim is dealt with together, although each member of the family is a claimant in their own right and if the claim is successful they will each be granted refugee status.

The guidance says that “The Family Asylum Claim will operate in a similar way to the current policy on dependants, but with additional steps to ensure any protection needs of the child are particularised”. If the child’s protection needs are separate to the main applicant then their claim will be considered separately. This guidance is about the decision making process, and no mention was made of what would happen to a child born after a grant of status was made to the rest of the family.  

Two years later, on 5 July 2023, the Home Office also updated their guidance ‘Dependants and former dependants’ to reflect the introduction of the family asylum claims process. The guidance states that it applies to dependants who do not have separate protection needs such that their claim needs to be considered separately, i.e. the guidance applies to those children who are dependant on a main applicant’s asylum claim.

If a child is born in the UK while the parent(s) asylum claim is ongoing, the position remains unchanged from previous policy positions – the new-born child is treated in the same way as any other dependent child in the asylum claim (the Home Office will need to be notified of the new child). However, the updated guidance has a significant impact on the situation for children born in the UK to parent(s) with protection status.

The previous version of the guidance stated that:

Unless specifically requested by refugee parent(s), a child granted leave in line should not normally be recognised as a refugee since this status cannot be recognised without an individual assessment of the child’s protection needs. If refugee status is requested, and both parents are refugees, the child may be recognised as a refugee without detailed enquiry unless the child is of a different nationality. (our emphasis)

The important distinction being made is between the child being granted “leave in line” which is limited leave to remain that will expire at the same time as their parent(s), and the child being granted refugee status in addition to that leave.

The practical approach in this previous version of the guidance provided a simple way for refugee parent(s) to ask that a child born to them after their grant of status be recognised as a refugee and to be granted refugee leave in line with them. There was no application form or fee for making the request which could be made by emailing the Home Office. These requests were routinely granted where the child was the same nationality as their refugee parent(s).

Following the changes to the guidance in July 2023, children born to parents granted protection status can still request protection status in line. However, the guidance now states that:

Unless specifically requested by the parent or parents with protection status, a child granted permission to stay in line must not be granted protection status in line since this status cannot be recognised without an individual assessment of the child’s protection needs. If protection status is requested, you must acquire the necessary evidence to decide whether the child qualifies for protection status in their own right – this is likely to be by writing to the claimant (with a response likely being provided by their responsible adult or adults) . This is not a charged application and no application form or fee is involved in this process. However, a claim for asylum will need to be registered in person .

The requirement for an asylum claim to be made in person by the baby needing refugee status is a new one, as is the requirement to obtain evidence by writing to the refugee parent.

This is a completely unnecessary administrative burden for new parents with refugee status. It also puts the family back into the trauma of dealing with the asylum system they have just escaped, as well as the associated delays.

Although the guidance is unclear on this, it appears that requests for leave in line are still being granted under the old process, but any request for refugee status in addition to this are responded to with a direction to make an asylum claim. The practical impact is likely to be that more families will seek leave in line without also seeking refugee status that they are entitled to for their baby.

The practical impact of the changes

One impact is the ability of the refugee parent(s) to get help with sorting out their child’s status. The email to the Home Office asking for leave (and previously refugee status as well) to be granted in line with the parent(s) is something that an OISC Level 1 adviser can assist with. This means that many charities and small organisations were able to help people with this.

Requiring an asylum claim to be made is outside of the permitted activities for that level of accreditation and is also a lot more labour intensive and likely to require a legal aid lawyer, in a sector without capacity . This is another barrier that will result in people accepting leave in line for their baby without refugee status.

Another problem this change has caused is that the Home Office has historically refused to grant a convention travel document to children born in the UK who have been granted leave in line without refugee status.

Paragraph 344(i) of the immigration rules states:

After having received a complete application for a travel document, the Secretary of State will issue to a person in the United Kingdom who meets the definition of a refugee in Article 1 of the Refugee Convention and their dependants travel documents, in the form set out in the Schedule to the Refugee Convention, for the purpose of travel outside the United Kingdom, unless compelling reasons of national security or public order otherwise require.

Drawing a distinction between a person recognised as a refugee and their dependants certainly indicates that the dependant does not also need to have refugee status, but that is not how the Home Office applies this in practice.

The guidance states that people who have been recognised as refugees and pre-flight family members of refugees who came to the UK under family reunion (who would have been granted leave in line but not status in line) must be granted convention travel documents if they apply. The guidance has not been changed since 2013 and is silent on the entitlement to a convention travel document of children born in the UK to people holding refugee status.

A plain reading interpretation of the rules would indicate that these children are entitled to a convention travel document, as would the fact that other dependant family members granted leave in line but not refugee status are entitled to the document, as explained in the guidance.

If the baby is unable to get a convention travel document, then the alternative is a certificate of travel which is obviously inappropriate as it would require the refugee parent(s) to make contact with their embassy, which can create further problems. It is also considerably more costly.

Were these changes required by G v G ?

The Home Office’s position is that these changes were required following the Supreme Court’s decision. G v G was about a child who was a dependant on their main applicant parent’s asylum claim. It did not address the situation of babies who were born post-grant, as that was not in issue in the case.

This appears to be a completely unnecessary administrative burden for new parents with refugee status. If they are settled when the child is born in the UK, this will not be an issue as the child will automatically be a British citizen. Those with refugee status who later become settled will also be able to register their child as a British citizen.

It is also difficult to see how these changes have been made in accordance with the Home Secretary’s duties under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. It cannot be in a child’s best interests to be left in limbo or with a lesser form of leave, with fewer rights as a result.

Interested in refugee law? You might like Colin's book, imaginatively called "Refugee Law" and published by Bristol University Press.

Communicating important legal concepts in an approachable way, this is an essential guide for students, lawyers and non-specialists alike.

Stewart MacLachlan

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• Visas and immigration
• Seek protection or asylum

Apply for a Home Office travel document

Refugee travel document.

You can apply for a refugee travel document if either:

• you have refugee status in the UK
• you originally came to the UK on a family reunion visa to join someone who has refugee status

How long it will be valid for

If you’re settled in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’), your document will usually be valid for up to 10 years. If you’re 15 or under and settled in the UK, it will usually be valid for up to 5 years.

If you have permission to stay (known as ‘leave to remain’) your document will be valid until the end of your permission to stay in the UK.

Your document may be valid for a shorter time in some cases. For example, because your previous document has been lost.

Countries you can travel to

You can usually travel to all countries except:

• the country you’re from
• any country you sought asylum from

Before you travel

Check which documents you’ll need before you book your travel.

Ask the authorities of the country you’re visiting or travelling through if:

• the country accepts refugee travel documents
• you need a visa to enter the country
• £82 for adults (it’s free if you were born before 1 September 1929)
• £53 for children 15 or under

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