Applying for dual citizenship

[jaylily]

I'm a Canadian and qualify for dual British & Canadian citizenship, but can't for the life of me figure out how/where to apply for it. The British High Commission in Ottawa and the Canadian Consolate in the UK haven't been helpful as of yet, and was just wondering if there was anyone out there who may have some helpful tips.

Thanks!

[Michelle]

Hi There,
I just got my citizenship last month. This link takes you to all the forms you would need.
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... ality.html?
There are several ways to get it, depending on how you qualify.
If you need more help, just let us know a bit more detail. I found the whole process very easy.
You aren't applying for dual citizenship per se. What I mean is you will have a dual citizenship but you are just aquiring a British one in addition. The Canadian consulate has nothing to do with that at all.
Michelle

[jaylily]

Congrats on your recent citizenship, Michelle!
That clears up some things that I just have to apply for the British Citizenship, and that will make me dual.
I have an application for a passport from the British High Commission in Ottawa, but I assume I will need my Brit citizenship before applying for the passport.
The story with me is that I was born in Canada and my father was born in England, but has lived in Canada most of his life. He's still a British citizen. So I'm applying for citizenship through descent of my Dad. I'm over 18 now, so I"m not sure if I'll have to live in the UK for 5 years before I can apply.
Thanks for the link and clearing some things up for me!

[Michelle]

Well, take a look at the link I posted to see if you qualify. If you do, you'll be applying for "registration" as a British citizen. It's a simple form and it doesn't take too long to process.
Good luck!

[pkennedy1990]

That sounds about right; British consulate offices overseas are no more help than they are in the UK, although they expect you to somehow sort yourself out before you get here! Take that as an indication of how much they want us "not Americans" around!

[jaylily]

You guys have been SO much help! My latest problem is what friggin application do I fill out for registration?? Where's the"Born outside the UK, claiming British citizenship by descent from father" application?? Grrrr Anyone have any ideas as to what form to fill out?

And the British High Commission in Canada has been virtually helpless to me. I fax them a question and all they do is mail me a passport application! They did the same thing to a friend of mine.

[andrew]

Hi Michelle,

You seem to be the expert on this so I hope you don't mind me asking for your council. My situation is this, I am Canadian, born in Canada, my Mother was born in the UK but now is a Canadain Citizen. Do i qualify for a duel citizenship for the UK. I have been offered a in job in Spain and to qualify I must hold a EU passport. (and is this the same as a UK passport) I am so confused...what do you think.

[Michelle]

Hi Andrew,
Sounds to me like you would be eligible to apply for registration as a UK citizen as long as your mother is still a UK citizen and you were born between 1961 and 1983.
You can read about it here:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en ... nship.html

You will be able to work in other EU countries if you hold a UK passport but you will need to check with Spain to see what they need from you in order to do that. I am sure it wouldn't be a problem since Spain has tons of British expats.

Good luck with that!

Michelle