Secure the Lineage.

Citizenship Otherwise Than By Descent" is the highest form of British nationality. It grants the power to pass your status to future generations born anywhere in the world.

Book Strategy Session →
Start Free Assessment →

The Power of Transmission.

Most British citizens born abroad are 'Citizens by Descent.' The limitation? They cannot pass their passport to their children if they are also born abroad.

Citizenship Otherwise Than By Descent breaks this cycle. It is the 'origin' status. If you hold this, your children born in France, the USA, or anywhere else will be British automatically. You secure the rights of grandchildren you haven't met yet.

Who Holds This Status?

  • Born in the UK

    Born in the UK before 1 Jan 1983? You almost certainly have it. Born post-1983? You have it if your parents were settled/British at your birth.

  • Naturalised & Registered

    Adults who naturalised in the UK hold this status. Children registered under Section 1(3) or Section 3(5) also acquire it.

  • Crown Service

    Automatic acquisition for those born to a British parent (Otherwise than by Descent). Note: This status cannot usually be passed to the next generation born abroad.

The 3-Year Upgrade.

 

If you are British by Descent, your child born abroad is usually not British. However, if you return to the UK with the child and live here for 3 continuous years, we can register them under Section 3(5).

The Benefit: This registration grants them 'Citizenship Otherwise Than By Descent.' You have effectively upgraded their status, allowing them to pass it on to their children born abroad in the future.

Lost Your Status? We Find It.

Many people are British 'Otherwise Than By Descent' without knowing it.

  • Did you live in the UK before 1983?

  • Was your father born in a former colony?

  • Were you adopted in a UK court?

We conduct a forensic Status Trace to locate the legislative proof of your citizenship, allowing you to apply for a passport directly without paying £1,630 to naturalise.

The "Referees" Requirement

  • The Professional Referee

    Must be a professional of any nationality (e.g., Accountant, Director, Solicitor).

  • The British Referee

    Must be a British Citizen (aged 25+) or a professional.

  • The Connection

    Both must have known you personally for 3 years. They cannot be related to you or each other.

"Good Character" is Not Automatic.

Unlike visa rules, the Nationality Act demands you be of 'Good Character.' This is a subjective test based on the 'Balance of Probabilities.'

We Audit Your History For:

  • Criminality: Custodial sentences of 12+ months usually lead to mandatory refusal.

  • Financial Health: Bankruptcy, liquidation, or unpaid Council Tax can trigger a character refusal.

  • Deception: Any past visa refusals for deception/non-disclosure are scrutinized for 10 years.

The Strategy: We do not hide flaws. We disclose them with context to control the narrative.

Citizenship Otherwise Than By Descent FAQs

  • Generally, no. If you are an adult who is British by Descent, you cannot 'upgrade' to Otherwise Than By Descent unless you renounce your citizenship and naturalise (which is risky and rarely advised). The focus should be on ensuring your children get the better status.

  • If you were born after 1983, likely not automatically. However, if you lived in the UK for the first 10 years of your life, you are entitled to register as British Otherwise Than By Descent under Section 1(4).

  • Yes, but only if the adoption order was made by a UK Court. Overseas adoptions (even Hague Convention) generally grant Citizenship by Descent (or require registration), whereas UK adoptions grant 'Otherwise' status automatically.

Do You Meet the Requirements?

The rules are rigid, but your strategy doesn't have to be. Use our free assessment to see if you qualify.

Start Free Assessment →