British Passport for baby born in US with British Dad

[Amy and Michael 21]

Hi!

So, I'm trying to figure out how to apply for a British passport for my baby born in the US. I am an American citizen, by birth. My husband immigrated here in 2010 with the K-1 visa from Wales, U.K. Our daughter was born on June 22, 2012.

I'm reading all kinds of confusing things about registering her birth, applying for British citizenship with an MN-1 form for 551 GBP's, etc. etc. I also have read that it's as simple as applying for a British passport, and when her father is listed as a British citizen, that's all it will take.

I know we don't "Need" a British passport, but I'd like to establish her British citzenship right away. Or, is this a bad idea?

Has anybody done this? Can you give me tips about the process, or links to the passport application, with info on how to do it from the U.S.?

Thank-you so much!

Amy, Michael, and baby Emma

[Hypnos 6,576]

I was in a similar situation.

My daughter was born in 2002 but I only married her mother in 2010; that "legitimised" her birth and allowed me to apply for a passport for her (I was advised to go straight for a passport by the British Embassy since it also serves as, well, a passport and proof of her British citizenship at the same time).

You will not have to worry about that step though, since you were married when she was born (and indeed the law was changed a few years ago so that children of unmarried couples do not have to have their parents marry before they can obtain citizenship through the father).

Assuming you go right for a passport (which is probably the easiest way for reasons I mentioned above) you need to fill out a C-2 form. Pay special attention to the supporting documentation you will need which is mentioned on the guidance. In short you need to enclose a copy (original or certified copy) of your marriage certificate; your husband's birth certificate; and your child's birth certificate (certified copy). I think that's mostly it, although as I said scour the guidance notes in case there are other things in there I forgot.

It took absolutely forever to get her passport. I sent it off around August and didn't receive her passport back until December, and when I did receive it they had mixed her birthday up. Some idiot at the Embassy had not realised that an American birth certificate was in the American date format (despite my clearly writing it on the form in the British format - dd/mm/yyyy). It took me some time to get this resolved (I could not find anyone who could tell me how to fix it - I had to make a written complaint to the Consul who eventually let me know how to get it fixed). I received the corrected passport just after Christmas, on something like the 5th of January. It was quite an ordeal but in the long-run will be worth it.

Hopefully your experience will not be as convoluted as mine was.

[Amy and Michael 21]

Wow, thank-you for sharing all the information and your own experience! Thanks for even including the links. I'm glad my daughter is born on the 22nd - hopefully they don't try to mix up the month and the date for her!

I'll start reading through the form & guidance while we wait for our daughter's birth certificate.

[npson 0]

Hi,

I just read the above posts, I am a British Citizen (Permanent Resident - Green Card) and my wife (US citizen by birth and also holds a British Passport too) are expecting our first child.

We are trying to work out how to get our newborn baby his British passport as he will be born here in the US. The process seems a little confusing.

1. Would I be right in saying we go through the process via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports - Overseas British passport applications? If yes, as I go through answering the questions, I come across "Which country were you born", this sounds silly but is it asking where I was born or where our baby is born?

2. Once I get through the initial questions, (I selected USA in response to "Which country were you born" as I based it on my son's place of birth). I am redirected to an online application portal page via the gov.uk page for British Nationals. Have I been redirected to the correct place?

3. If I am correct in 1 and 2, what documents do my wife and I need to provide? Is it easier just to note my wife as a US citizen even though she is a British Citizen too?

Sorry for all the specific questions but want to make sure I am following the correct process.

Much appreciated!!

Edited March 13, 2015 by npson