Born in United Kingdom

A child born in the UK is British at birth only if a parent is British or settled. A child born before the parent settles can be registered later.

Passport132 visa-freeof 218 countriesPapers ready inUp to 4 weeksafter the birthDual citizenshipAllowedKeeps yours tooHealth care88/100

Baby's passport fee£66.50

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The visa your passport needs for United Kingdom
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Who qualifies:At the birth, a parent is a British citizen, an Irish citizen living in the UK, or settled in the UK (ILR, EU settled status or right of abode).

For your baby

Citizen from birthA United Kingdom passport of their own
132 countries visa-freeof 218 countries
Keeps your citizenship tooUnited Kingdom allows dual citizenship
Free to live, study and workIn United Kingdom, for life

Check if you're a British citizen: born in the UK from 1 July 2021 onwards - GOV.UK Your parents' immigration status when you were born - GOV.UK British Nationality Act 1981, s.1(1) · checked Nov 3, 2026

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Whether having your baby in United Kingdom gives you residence or a faster route to citizenship.

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How to start

Baby's papers ready: up to 4 weeks after the birth

1
Get to United Kingdom legallySign in to see the visa your passport needs.Prepare your Standard Visitor visa application Most parents stay about 3 months: airlines limit late-pregnancy flights.
2
Register the birthLocal register office for the area of birth (or hospital registration service), within 42 days (England, Wales, Northern Ireland).Official source Up to 4 daysEngland and Wales: you can buy the certificate (£12.50) at the register office once the birth is registered. Ordered later from the General Register Office, it is sent 4 days after you apply (next working day with priority, £38.50).Official source
3
Get the baby's passportFee £66.50 · Under 16, standard 34-page passport applied online (GBP 80 by paper form)Official source Up to 21 daysHM Passport Office: you'll usually get the passport within 3 weeks (online, from when documents arrive). 1 week Fast Track can be used for a child passport; 1 day Online Premium cannot.Official source
4
Pass on your own citizenship
- United Kingdom allows dual citizenship: the baby can hold both.