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How do citizenship and passports work for our children?

By LandfallFor US citizens and green card holders moving to the UKDownload as PDF

The short answer

A child born in the UK to a US citizen parent can usually become a US citizen too, which you record through a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. Being born in the UK doesn't automatically make a child British unless a parent is British or settled at the time of birth, but children can often register as British later.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Citizenship depends on your family’s exact circumstances.

US citizenship for a child born in the UK

A child born abroad to a US citizen parent is usually a US citizen at birth, as long as the parent meets US physical presence or residence requirements before the birth. These differ depending on whether one or both parents are US citizens.

To record it:

  1. Apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) through the US Embassy in London. It’s proof of US citizenship.
  2. Apply for the child’s US passport, usually at the same appointment.
  3. Apply for a Social Security number. You’ll need it to claim the US child tax credit.

For a passport for a child under 16, both parents usually need to give consent.

British citizenship for a child born in the UK

Being born in the UK doesn’t automatically make a child British. A child born here is British if, at the time of birth, a parent is:

  • a British citizen, or
  • settled in the UK, for example with indefinite leave to remain.

If not, the child can often register as British later, for example once a parent becomes settled, or after living in the UK for their first ten years.

Children who move here with you

Children who aren’t British usually come as dependants on a parent’s visa. They may later be able to register as British, often around the time a parent naturalizes.

Dual nationality

The US and UK both allow it. A dual US–UK child should:

  • enter and leave the US on their US passport
  • have US tax filings if they ever have enough income, as for any US citizen

What to do next

See settlement and British citizenship, or build your move plan.

Free · about 2 minutesSee every step for your moveBuild your move planRelated guideCan we get Child Benefit and help with childcare?Related guideHow do UK schools work for American families?

General information, not personal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.