Registration under the alternative provisions for British overseas territories citizens

If you are a British overseas territories citizen and did not become a British citizen under the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, you will be eligible for registration as a British citizen unless:

• your British overseas territories citizenship is by connection only with the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia; or
• you have previously given up British citizenship by a declaration of renunciation.

Free of immigration time restrictions: This means you do not have any time limit on your stay in the United Kingdom. Usually this is because we have given you permission to stay permanently (known as indefinite leave to remain) in the United Kingdom. It may also be because you have a 'no time limits' stamp in your passport or have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. It also applies to an EEA national or the family member of an EEA national who has gained permanent residence status because he/she has lived in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of five years that ended after 30 April 2006.

To declare formally that you wish to give up your British citizenship.British citizenship gained in your own right (not by descent through your parents or grandparents). This type of citizenship can be passed on to your own children. (See also Descent.)Close connection (with a country) may be by birth, adoption, descent, marriage, registration or naturalisation.You meet the requirements to apply.

Can I register as a British citizen if I am a British overseas citizen, British protected person or British subject with no other nationality?

Registration under this section gives British citizenship by descent. If you apply for registration in this category you will not normally be able to pass on British citizenship to any children born outside the United Kingdom. If you are resident in the United Kingdom, you should read the section on registration by a British national If you register as a British citizen under that section you will be a British citizen otherwise than by descent and will be able to pass this citizenship to any children born abroad to you after registration.

The requirements you need to meet

There are three requirements you need to meet to be eligible for registration as a British citizen by descent. You must be all three.

• You must not hold any other citizenship or nationality.
• given up any citizenship or nationality; or
• lost any citizenship or nationality by action or inaction.

It is possible to be a citizen or national of a country even if you have never held a passport issued by the authorities of that country. You should make sure this does not apply to you before you make your application.

Lebanese nationals - applications under section 4B

Home Office are currently unable to decide any applications from possible Lebanese citizens, under section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981, because they are seeking expert opinion on the interpretation of Lebanese citizenship law. Home Office will keep these applications until this has been clarified. If you, your father or grandfather were born in the Lebanon, you may wish to wait until the matter has been resolved before submitting an application under section 4B.