Not all children born in the UK automatically have British citizenship from birth. But lots of children living in the UK are eligible to become British citizens. The Home Office can grant British citizenship on a discretionary basis where a child has strong ties to the UK.
This content was produced as part of the KIND UK project, which CELC led from 2017 to 2025.
CELC continues to maintain and update legal information and education resources for anyone working with children or who may be impacted by child citizenship law.
Discretionary Citizenship: A guide children, young people and families
