Question about dual citizenship

I was once told that I have dual citizenship in England because my father was born in England. I was born in Canada in 1975. I have been trying to find answers on the internet but so far have only found conflicting information. I have read that I have automatic dual citizenship and I just need to apply for a British passport. I have also read that because I was born before 1983 I do not. I just can't seem to find any clear answers on this subject. I am considering working somewhere in the UK as a mother's helper for at least a year, and am sure that having dual citizenship would help get me a job, so I want to know what my status is before going forward with any applications. I also want to know that if I decide to stay after that year and possibly work somewhere else that I will have that option. I was hoping someone could either point me to a correct and clear website that explains dual citizenship through family, or perhaps has an answer to my question. Thank you.

Wow so I just wrote you a whole long reply and when I went to post I couldn't as it contained a link. Arrrghh.

So anyways - here I go again.

From all I can gather you are eligible to apply for a passport as you claim citizenship by decent through your father. You would only not be eligible to claim if you were born before 1983 if you were claiming through your mum. I believe that previously you could only claim citizenship through your British father.they only started allowing you to claim through a British mum for those born after Jan 1 1983.

I have a link that helped me A LOT during my research. I have tried to post it twice (trying to trick the system by taking out the "dots" but it's too smart for me!) and it won't let me so I am going to PM you the address

It has nationality flow charts, info on whether you are eligible or not, and on the left menu bar are links to the forms and fees etc.

Honestly, it was a super easy process once I just bit the bullet and started it. The forms and notes were really easy to follow and fill out. I ended up calling their information line for a couple of questions I had and it cost me about $20 or so.but the person I spoke with was so friendly and helpful and had an awesome Irish accent! ha ha

It took 10 days from the day I sent my application to the day they sent my Passport back to me. I was so happy!

Hopefully this helps you some. Let me know if there is anything else you need. I have a few other websites I have bookmarked that helped.but the one I posted for you pretty much has everything you should need!

Sorry to reply to a post that's almost two months old. You can in fact get British citizenship through your mother if you were born before 1983. I was born in 1974 in Canada to a British mother and got my citizensip two years ago. They updated the law about 4 years ago to allow you to go through your mum. Prior to 4 years ago, you would get a special work visa.

I just contacted the High Commission in Ottawa and got them to mail me the papers to register as a British citizen. You have to go to a High Commission at some point for a swearing in ceremony. You can then apply for a passport. Double check the hours of the High Commission before going.the one in Ottawa closes early (noon I think) on Fridays.

Cheers

Do you actually have to register as a British citizen to get the passport? Everything I have read states that as long as I can provide the necessary documents (my dad's English birth certificate, my parents marriage certificate and my birth certificate) I can just send the application to Ottawa. I don't really want to call the $2.80/minute line - even if the guy has a call Irish accent

Do you actually *need* a marriage certificate? My Dad is British, but my parents were never married in a marriage ceremony, they were common-law, so no certificate.

Previously I'd been told that I wouldn't be eligible for UK citizenship because of this, but I could get an ancestry visa via my Grandmother and after a few years living in UK apply for leave to remain and then citizenship.

If I could save time and money and just get a UK passport without a parental marriage certificate, that would be awesome.

This is the link.

From 1 July 2007 alot of initial applications for a UK passport require an interview to verify that you are who you say you are.

And you will then be entered into the National Identity Register.

The tories say they will abolish the National Identity Cards Act when they get in (except for non-citizens), and as the General Election is likely to be around the time the requirement to get an ID card comes into force (end of next year), I'd hold off until 2010 if you can.

There's no point volunteering for the NIR if you don't have to. Which may sound paranoid, but we're talking about the Home Office.

pfffft.the passport used by the person when they left the UK.my father was 10 years old when he left!

Plus, I really don't want to have to talk to him if I don't have to

I am a born canadian citizen. I have a lot of family in the Uk my aunts, cuzins, uncles etc...I wanted to know if i can apply for dual citizenship to the Uk. None of my family members living there were born in the Uk.

Only your PARENTS birth or naturalization in UK (before you were born) entitles you to UK citizenship.

So is it still possible for me to apply and get dual citizenship it even tho my parents were not born there and have nothing to do with the UK?