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Information about naturalisation as a British citizen
British Nationality Act 1981
1
The grant of naturalisation is at the discretion of the Home Secretary, who may if he thinks fit naturalise a person who meets certain requirements. These are set out in section 6 of, and Schedule 1 to, the British Nationality Act 1981 and described below.
An applicant must meet the requirements set out in part A of this leaflet unless he or she is married to a British citizen. An applicant who is the husband or wife of a British citizen need meet only the requirements set out in part B of this leaflet.
A Requirements
2 The applicant must
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be aged 18 or over and not of unsound mind; and be of good character; and
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V
have sufficient knowledge of the English language (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic) (see note 1); and
intend if naturalised to have his home or (if he has more than one) his principal home in the United Kingdom. (The applicant may, however, live abroad if he intends to enter into, or continue in Crown service (working directly for the government of the United Kingdom) or in employment with an international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member, or in service in the employment of a company or association established in the United Kingdom); and
meet the residential requirements set out in paragraphs 3 and 4 below, or the alternative requirement described in paragraph 5.
The residential requirements are that
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the applicant was in the United Kingdom (see note 2) at the beginning of the five year period ending with the date the application is received; and
in that five year period he or she was not outside the United Kingdom for more than 450 days (see note 3); and
in the last 12 months of that five year period he or she was not outside the United Kingdom for more than 90 days; and
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