British Passport application - child born in HK

[Hawkgeo]

I have a child just born in HK and I’m intending to apply for a British Passport for her soon.

I have been holding a British Passport since childhood since I immigrated to the UK when I was a few years old. I now live in HK (holding a HK permanent ID and a HK SAR Passport).

I thought I’d check with the UK Passport authorities on my baby’s eligibility for a British Passport and they are advising that my baby has no grounds for a British Passport. Does anyone know why as the UK Passport authorities aren’t clear to explain the reasons.

Also, I’m sure other people have been in a similar situation as me but have been successful in their applications. If so, I would like to hear from you. Thx.

[chuckster007]

Based on the info provided, your kid should be able to get a British Passport as you didnt get your passport by descent, you immigrated there, so you should be able to give your child a British Passport.

My child has British Passport through me, she cant pass it on to her future kids unless she has the kids in the UK.

I would go ahead an apply.

[Hawkgeo]

Thanks for your comments chuckster007 !
That’s my understanding but now the UK Passport office asked whether I have a registration certificate by Hong Kong Independence...
Frankly speaking I have no idea what this is, have you heard or know of this ?

[kma88]

What was the exact process that you became a British Citizen, was it by naturalisation, by registration, by descent, or else?

[Hawkgeo]

Actually I’m not sure kma88..
I was born in hk but raised in England since I was a toddler..

Is there a simple way to check ?

[chuckster007]

You said you immigrated to the UK as a kid, does your parent have any documents for you regarding British Citizenship??

[kma88]

If you don't have a naturalisation or registration certificate that probably meant you were British citizen by descent, which meant you cannot pass your British nationality to your foreign born child.

Were your parents UK born or already a British citizen before you were born?

[Hawkgeo]

Actually, I don’t have any documents or certificates that I’m aware of. My parents didn’t share with me.

Both my parents were born in HK. But I don’t know whether they became British Citizens prior to my birth.

Is there something online I can verify how I became a British Citizen as my parents are no longer accessible.

[Stu79]

Following the current rules, unfortunately your daughter is not eligible for a British passport if she was born outside the UK as far as I understand.

For British citizens born in the UK, their dependents are automatically eligible for citizenship and qualify as 'British Citizens by Descent' and can pass that down to any of their children born in the UK. However citizens by descent cannot pass citizenship down to any children born outside of the UK.

We were made aware of this when getting passports for my two kids (both born abroad) and as your received your citizenship through your parent's registration you will be viewed as a British Citizen by Descent. Therefore your daughter cannot automatically get citizenship.

However, if you were to move to the UK she could qualify through residency over time and if she stayed in the UK once she had obtained citizenship, any kids she may have which are born on British soil would automatically count as British citizens.

[kma88]

Actually I’m not sure kma88..
I was born in hk but raised in England since I was a toddler..

Is there a simple way to check ?

What about this?

Naturalisation, registration and British citizenship - The National Archives