Naturalisation vs registration: what is the difference?

Naturalisation and registration are the two ways to apply to become a British citizen. Naturalisation is the route for adults and rests on residence in the UK and other tests, and the Home Secretary has discretion to grant it. Registration covers set groups, mostly children, and for some groups the law gives a right to register.

How naturalisation and registration work

Both are ways to become a British citizen by making an application. Neither happens automatically. A person who is already a British citizen at birth, or became one automatically, does not need to apply for either.^{[2]Home Office, Form MN1: guidance (accessible version)}

Naturalisation is covered by section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981. It is open to a person of full age and capacity. If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements in Schedule 1 to the Act, the Secretary of State “may, if he thinks fit” grant a certificate of naturalisation.^{[3]legislation.gov.uk, British Nationality Act 1981, section 6: Acquisition by naturalisation} The Home Office guide puts it plainly: naturalisation is not an entitlement, and it is a matter of law set out in the Act.^{[1]Home Office, Form AN: guidance (accessible)}

Registration is covered by a number of sections of the same Act. Section 3, for example, deals with minors. Under section 3(1) the Secretary of State may register a child if he thinks fit. Under section 3(2) a child born outside the UK is entitled to be registered if the stated requirements are met.^{[4]legislation.gov.uk, British Nationality Act 1981, section 3: Acquisition by registration: minors} The Home Office MN1 guide groups the registration routes into two kinds. Entitlements give a right under nationality law to apply and be registered. Discretionary routes depend on the decision of the Home Secretary.^{[2]Home Office, Form MN1: guidance (accessible version)}

The main differences

The tests for naturalisation are set out in the Home Office AN guide. They include 5 years in the UK, or 3 years if married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, and the other tests in the table.^{[1]Home Office, Form AN: guidance (accessible)} For a child, the tests depend on the section of the Act the application is made under. A child aged 10 or over must be of good character.^{[2]Home Office, Form MN1: guidance (accessible version)}

The fee for naturalisation with indefinite leave to remain is £1,709 to apply plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee.^{[5]GOV.UK, Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status} A child born in the UK who registers because a parent became British or settled after the birth pays £1,000.^{[6]GOV.UK, Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK: if you are under 18}

Some adults can register. GOV.UK lists a registration route for people born outside the UK between 1 January 1983 and 30 June 2006 to a British parent, for example, where the parent could pass on citizenship.^{[8]GOV.UK, Apply for citizenship if you have a British parent: you were born between 1983 and June 2006}

If you are 18 or over and your application succeeds, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation. That applies to registration as well as naturalisation.^{[7]GOV.UK, Citizenship ceremonies}

Example

Amara has lived in the UK for 6 years and holds indefinite leave to remain. She applies to naturalise. Her costs on GOV.UK are £1,709 to apply plus £130 for the ceremony, £1,839 in total.

Her son Daniel was born in the UK before she was settled. He is 9. After Amara became settled, Daniel can apply to register as a British citizen. This is a registration route in section 1(3) of the Act, which gives an entitlement when a parent becomes settled or becomes a British citizen.^{[2]Home Office, Form MN1: guidance (accessible version)} GOV.UK shows a fee of £1,000 for this route.^{[6]GOV.UK, Apply for citizenship if you were born in the UK: if you are under 18}

The two applications are separate. They use different tests, different forms and different fees. The figures were correct on the date shown at the top of this page, and fees change.

What people get wrong

Many people treat naturalisation and registration as one application with two names. They are different routes under different sections of the Act, with different tests, forms and fees.

The second mistake is about the type of citizenship. The Home Office MN1 guide says a person who is a British citizen by descent cannot change to British otherwise than by descent by being registered or naturalised.^{[2]Home Office, Form MN1: guidance (accessible version)} Check which type of citizenship the route gives before you choose it. The British citizen by descent page explains the difference.

The bottom line

Naturalisation is the adult route. It rests on residence and other tests, and the Home Secretary decides whether to grant it. Registration covers set groups, mostly children, and for some groups the law gives a right to be registered. The forms, tests and fees differ, so work out which route applies before you apply. See British citizenship by naturalisation for how Compass can help with an adult application and British citizenship by registration for registration.