This page provides details of how a stateless person can register as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or a British. You should read the information in this section before you make an application for registration. You will need to pay a fee when you make your application. If you make an application for registration and it is unsuccessful because you are not eligible, Home Office will not refund your full fee.

To be eligible to apply for British nationality you must have been born outside the United Kingdom or British overseas territories on or after 1 January 1983.

You should visit the section for stateless people born in the United Kingdom after 1 January 1983 for details of the requirements you must meet.

The requirements you need to meet

To register as a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen or a British subject you must:

• be stateless; and
• have always been stateless; and
• have been born on or after 1 January 1983; and
• have been born outside the United Kingdom and the British overseas territories; and
• a British citizen; or
• a British overseas territories citizen; or
• a British overseas citizen; or
• a British subject.

In addition, you must

• have been present in the United Kingdom or British overseas territory at the beginning of a three-year period ending on the day we receive your application; and
• not have been absent from the United Kingdom or British overseas territory for more than 270 days in that three-year period.