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Friday, 30 August 2013

UK Passports

Applying for a UK passport for the first time is a painless process provided the individual supplies the correct documentation with their application.  Although the process and requirements vary depending on the status and nationality of the individual who is applying for the passport, British citizens can apply in a variety of ways.

Legal requirement for overseas travel

If a person is a British citizen, or overseas territories citizen, a British national (overseas), or a British subject or protected person, then they have the right to apply for a British passport.  To be authorised as having British citizenship for a person whose birth date was prior to 1st January 1983, the person must have had ‘right to abode’ in the UK.  A person with right to abode has no restrictions within the UK and is free to work and live in the United Kingdom.  A right to abode also gives the person the right to enter the UK legally without permission from an immigration officer.  People who were born in the UK before the above mentioned date qualify for right to abode, as do those who have been naturalised, or those who have registered UK and Colonies citizenship.  Our immigration law firm can provide assistance to anyone who may be unclear on their current state of eligibility for a UK passport.

Those born after 1st January 1983 are classed as a British citizen if their mother or father was a British citizen or classed as ‘settled’ when the applicant was born.  In the majority of cases a person is classed as a British citizen if the mother or father of the individual was born in the UK, or naturalised in the UK.  If a child is under 16 and the applicant is the British legally recognised parent then the child can receive a child passport.  It is possible to receive a fast track service if the applicant needs the child passport in a hurry.  To qualify for this, the person must pay a fee and submit the complete range of required documentation (original copies).  This will see the child’s passport processed and delivered in one week, and this service is also available for the renewal of passports.  Special rules for passport applications apply if the child is adopted, fostered or born through surrogacy.  As immigration solicitors we can provide help and advice on passports for British nationals and also if the person is not of British nationality.

Group passports

Group passports can also be applied for if the correct criteria are met, and to find out more contact our immigration lawyers.  These passports are not for families, and are intended for the use of groups of school children, guides, scouts, sixth form students and other different youth organisations.  In order to qualify for a group passport, everybody in the group must be a British national and under the age of 18 at the end of the trip.  There must also be a group leader with the group who is over the age of 21 and holds a valid 10 year passport.  An immigration lawyer will provide assistance with any queries relating to any of the above subjects.

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