#1 UK British Citizenship Lawyers & Solicitors

British Citizenship Explained

British citizenship allows you to live and work in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions. Some people are British automatically without applying. You should check if you’re already British if you:

• have a British parent
• were born in the UK or a British overseas territory
• were born in a British colony before 1983

You can check if you're a British citizen on GOV.UK. You don’t need to apply for citizenship if you’re British - you can apply for a UK passport immediately.

If you are not a British citizen, there are ways to obtain British citizenship where one does not automatically qualify. Some individuals will need to be registered as British or receive British citizenship by descent, but most commonly, individuals who have resided lawfully and settled in the UK will need to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. 

You can find out more about the different way to get British citizenship and how our lawyers can help you by clicking on the links below:

How to get British Citizenship

Just because you were born in the UK doesn’t mean you’re British. Your citizenship status depends on your birth date and your parents’ status at that time. You’re automatically a British citizen if you were: 

• Born in the UK on or after 1st January 1983 AND
• Born when one of your parents was a British citizen or ‘settled’ in the UK.

If that's not the case, you might been to be registered as British or receive British citizenship by descent, but most commonly, individuals who have resided lawfully and settled in the UK will need to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen if you are 18 or older.

To qualify for British nationality, you generally need to show that you have held Indefinite Leave to Remain or EU Settled Status in the UK for a specified period. Additionally, you must have a clean criminal record and comply with immigration laws.

Once your British nationality is approved, you can live, work, and study in the UK indefinitely without immigration restrictions. You will also be free to travel and stay abroad without risking your status.

British Citizenship Eligibility & Requirements

To acquire British citizenship, the most common way is to apply through naturalisation. You can apply for British citizenship if you have lived in the UK for five years and have held one of the following statuses for at least 12 months:

• Indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• Settled status (also known as indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme)
• Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)

If you are married to a British citizen, you do not need to wait 12 months before applying.

Additionally, you must also:

• Be over 18 years old
• Prove you were in the UK precisely five years before the Home Office received your application
• Demonstrate your knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic
• Pass the Life in the UK test
• Intend to continue living in the UK
• Have good character, as outlined in the naturalisation guidance

Residency Requirements

You must have resided in the UK for at least five years before applying and must not have violated UK immigration laws. If you have indefinite leave to enter or remain, the Home Office typically will not check for immigration law violations before obtaining this status.

Time spent in the UK, while exempt from immigration control, such as being a diplomat or part of a diplomat’s household or visiting armed forces, cannot be counted.

Time Spent Outside the UK

You should not have:

• Spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five years before your application
• Spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• Violated any UK immigration laws (e.g., living illegally in the UK)

Cost of British Citizenship

The application fee is £1,630.

You will also need to provide your biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph. This process is free of charge. After you submit your application, you will receive instructions on completing this step.

At Dos, we extremely suggest talking to a lawyer to understand if you are eligible before doing such a monetary investment. Fill out the quick form on our Immigration page, and we will connect you with up to three lawyers for free who can help you with British Citizenship so you can make sure you have total confidence you will be successful before investing so much money in the application.

Cost of hiring a lawyer or solicitor for the British Citizenship application

The cost of a solicitor to help with a British Citizenship Application depends on many factors like complexity and specific requirements. It is expected to range from £800 to £1,500 on average.

Why Choose Dos to Obtain My British Nationality?

Dos' team will connect you with UK Immigration Law Solicitors who are well-versed and skilled in British Citizenship law. Whether you're interested in registering your child as a British Citizen or applying for naturalisation as an adult after residing in the UK for a while, we will connect you with the right Law Firm to help with your case.

​At Dos, we understand how important it is for our clients and their families to settle and finally make the UK their permanent home. If you are considering applying for British citizenship, fill out the quick form on our Immigration page, and we will connect you with specialist British citizenship lawyers who will provide you with the best immigration advice and representation to assist you in becoming a British citizen.

Our network of legal professionals specialising in British nationality and citizenship offers assistance in various areas, such as:

• Submitting applications for British citizenship
• Handling cases of British citizenship denials
• Preparing for and passing the Life in the UK test
• Providing immigration guidance for individuals associated with the Windrush Generation
• Advising on matters of dual nationality

​With our lawyers' extensive experience and updated knowledge of British citizenship and nationality regulations, we significantly enhance the likelihood of a successful application outcome.

​If you have inquiries regarding British citizenship and nationality, we will connect you with our British citizenship lawyers across the UK for personalised assistance. Our lawyers are available face-to-face and remotely through phone calls and video calls.

​Start the process now by filling out the quick form on our Immigration page, and we will connect you with up to three British citizenship lawyers for free in minutes.

Which services do lawyers on Dos can help me with?

Applications for British Citizenship:

• Assisting individuals meeting eligibility criteria such as age, residency, and character assessments.
• Providing guidance on required supporting documents

British Citizenship Refusals:

• Offering options for reviewing denied applications, including reconsideration by the Home Office or seeking a Judicial Review
• Supporting clients through the reconsideration process or Judicial Review proceedings for the best possible outcome

Life in the UK Test:

• Assisting with understanding the test requirements, locating test centers, and preparation

Immigration Advice for the Windrush Generation:

• Supporting individuals affected by the Windrush Generation scandal
• Offering guidance and assistance in navigating through the repercussions of Home Office policies

Dual Nationality:

• Evaluating eligibility for holding dual nationality and assisting in communication with embassies or consulates to safeguard existing citizenship

Why should I choose Dos for British Citizenship?

• We will connect you with a lawyer with a high success rate in British citizenship applications
• We only work with lawyers with accredited expertise in Immigration Law
• Dos is recognised as the leading immigration marketplace in the UK
• Extensive collective experience exceeding 200 years in immigration law
• Personalised attention and commitment to client satisfaction
• Transparent fixed fee structure for clarity in cost. Lawyers will give you a quote first

Fill out the quick form on our Immigration page, and we will connect you with the best lawyers for your British citizenship and nationality.

Have others been successful through Dos?

Dos' case studies show the diverse immigrants we have assisted in obtaining British citizenship. Our team is ready to help you with naturalisation applications for yourself and your family. For more information, fill out the quick form on our Immigration page, and we will connect you with up to three British Citizenship lawyers.