• Text size  | | |
• Email this document
• Printable version

United Kingdom/Zimbabwe: Entitlement to British citizenship of a child born in Zimbabwe in 1980 to a father who was born in Scotland in 1928, who left at the age of 13 and went to Zimbabwe where he assumed Zimbabwean nationality

In addition to information contained in GBR38516.E of 6 March 2002, an official of the consular section of the British High Commission in Ottawa verified that a child born in 1980 in Zimbabwe to a father born in Scotland in 1928, who left at the age of 13 to live in Zimbabwe where he assumed Zimbabwean nationality, would be entitled to British citizenship (16 Dec.2002). He said that children born to British citizens "otherwise than by descent" outside the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 1983,

become British citizens automatically (ibid.). For information on citizenship "otherwise than by descent," please see GBR38516.E of 6 March 2002.

He added, however, that the application for registration of citizenship must be accompanied by the applicant's original birth certificate, an identity card and a driving certificate, if it is a first-time application, as well as the father's original birth certificate to verify that he was truly born in Scotland in 1928. According to the official, the applicant does not need to meet any residence requirements.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Reference

United Kingdom. British High Commission, Ottawa. 16 December 2002. Telephone interview with official of the consular section.