TNAG-1192-FCO40-1494-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 124

Acquisition by birth

A child born in the United Kingdom after commencement will be a British citizen automatically at birth if either his father

or his mother is a British citizen or is settled here. A

child adopted by a British citizen by court order made in the United Kingdom will be a British citizen, as will a foundling. A Child born here who does not acquire British citizenship at birth will have an entitlement to be registered as a British citizen if either parent later becomes a British citizen or

becomes settled. The child will also have an entitlement to registration if he spends the first ten years of his life here.

Acquisition by descent

A child born abroad after commencement will be a British citi-

zen by descent if either his father or his mother is a British citizen otherwise than by descent, eg if he or she was born, adopted, or naturalised in the United Kingdom or was registered on the basis of previous residence in the United Kingdom. A child born abroad to a British citizen by descent will be entitled to be registered as a British citizen by descent if

application is made within twelve months of the birth and the

parent is (a) born to a British citizen born, adopted, natural- ised or (generally speaking) registered in the United Kingdom, and (b) has spent three years in the United Kingdom at any time prior to the birth (this requirement does not apply if the child is stateless). In addition, male British citizens by

descent who are married and resident in foreign countries at

COMMENCEMent will be able to have their children born in a

foreign country within five years of commencement registered as British citizens by descent, provided there is a specified

parental or grandparental link with the United Kingdom. Appli-

cation must be made within twelve months of the birth.

A child born overseas to a British citizen by descent who is not

registered as such a citizen himself within twelve months of his birth would have an entitlement to registration if he subsequently

to the United Kingdom and lived there with both his parents

for three years. If registered, the child would be a British

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