Kids are already Scottish Citizens?

Member since 22 September 2011

BethanyMcGNew member22 September 2011 05:00:38

Okay, so I can't find a DIRECT answer to this on the Visa site, or the consulate site. Here's my dilemma.

I am American. My husband is Glaswegian by birth with a green card to the US.

Our children were born in the US.聽 We were married when they were born. I never registered them as british citizens聽 with the consulate.

Now that we want to move back to the UK....how do I do it with the kids?聽

There is no category that matches our situation on the "register your kid" page. As far as I can suss out, they are "citizens by decent" due to the fact that my husband and I were married at the time of their births and my husband is a Scottish National. If that is indeed the case then I can just apply for passports for them. They will carry dual citizenship (though they have no American Passports they are obviously American Nationals due to birth)
I hear there is another way though and that registering them as by decent makes them not eligible to pass on citizenship to their children...What is the best way to do this?

liliandersen Member

Member since 13 September 2009

liliandersenMember26 September 2011 15:15:07

Hi Bethany:

You'll find the answers in this link to the UK Border Agency website:

They do have contact phone numbers to call in case you need further information or clarification.

From what I can read, you shouldn't have any problems registering your children as British.

Regards,

Liliana.

BethanyMcG New member

Member since 22 September 2011

BethanyMcGNew member26 September 2011 15:28:42

Thanks, I've been to that page OFTEN to check and recheck what we need to do. Here's the thing, I don't think we need to register at all...we don't fit into ANY of the categories at the bottom of that page (believe me it's bookmarked! I just wondered if anyone knew for CERTAIN...because goodness knows I can't afford 3pounds a MINUTE to ask them via their contact numbers.

bkarpathian1 New member

Member since 09 November 2011

bkarpathian1New member11 November 2011 22:52:27

I am from Scotland and was living in the USA when my children were born. I was able to get them British passports without too much trouble. You should look on the British Embassy website. You can download the necessary forms and instructions. It's worth the effort. My daughter recently went to graduate school in London and having a British passport was much easier than having to get visas. It meant she can work while she is there without any restrictions. Good luck!

fidobsa Serial expat

Member since 11 November 2011

fidobsaSerial expat13 November 2011 11:25:36

505

I think the confusion may be to do with the term "register" as we don't have such a concept in UK. I have just moved from Scotland to Hungary and I have to register as a Hungarian resident. I was never registered as a UK resident, although I was born there and lived there all my life聽 until this year.