TNAG-1405-FCO40-1880-Future-of-Hong-Kong-passports-and-visas-1985 — Page 116

marriage has ceased registration is at the Home Secretary's

iscretion.

Renunciation and resumption

Provision is made for British citizens to renounce their British citizenship, and to resume it subsequently; and for certain persons who have renounced their present citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies to be able to be registered

as British citizens.

BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENSHIP

The provisions of the Bill dealing with the acquisition and renunciation of citizenship of the British Dependent Terri- tories follow a similar pattern to those for the acquisition and renunciation of British citizenship. British Dependent- Territories citizens who settle in the United Kingdom will be

entitled to registration as British citizens after they have spent five years here.

BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP

This citizenship is essentially transitional in its nature. It

will be acquired at commencement by any citizen of the United

Kingdom and Colonies who does not become either a British citi-

zen or a British Dependent Territories citizen. British Overseas

citizenship cannot normally be transmitted automatically to

children born after commencement. There are provisions for a

minor child to be registered at discretion as a British Overseas

citizen. The wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and

Colonies who becomes a British Overseas citizen will have her

entitlement to acquire her husband's citizenship preserved for

five years provided the marriage has not ceased. In that event

her registration is at the discretion of the Secretary of State.

There is provision for British Overseas citizens to renounce this

status.

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