Form UKM Guidance 2019 [What you NEED to know]

1. What is Form UKM?

Form UKM is an application form that is used by certain people born before 1983 to a British mother in order to register as a British citizen.

2. Who is Form UKM for?

Form UKM is for those who did not acquire British citizenship automatically due to previous inequalities in the law (prior to 1st January 1983) not allowing British mothers to pass on citizenship.

Form UKM allows those who would have become British citizens automatically if born after 1st January 1983, to now have the opportunity to become British citizens by registering as a citizen.

3. What are the Form UKM requirements in 2019?

The four requirements you need to meet in order to register using Form UKM are:

You were born prior to 1st January 1983; and
If women had been able to pass on citizenship in the same way as men at the time of your birth, you would have been a CUKC by descent; and
You have a right of abode in the UK which you have because:
- Your mother was, when you were born, a CUKC by birth, legal adoption, naturalisation or registration in the UK; or
- One of your mother’s parents (this excludes the father, but includes the mother of an illegitimate child) was a CUKC by birth, legal adoption, naturalisation or registration in the UK at the time of her birth;
- One of your father’s parents (this excludes the father of an illegitimate child) was a CUKC by birth, legal adoption, naturalisation or registration in the UK at the time of his birth; or
- You lived in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years prior to 1983 and were settled in the UK by the end of that 5 year period; or
- You are a female who, prior to 1st January 1983, was or had been married to a man with the right of abode in the UK.
You are of good character as defined within Home Office guidelines.

4. Do I need a solicitor or lawyer to submit Form UKM?

The short answer – no.

If you are able to decipher the British Nationality Act 1981 in all its glory, and have the time to do so – then you do not need a solicitor to submit the form. However, as this area of law is extremely complex, we would recommend that you speak to a solicitor before submitting the form – especially if you feel you may have trouble providing evidence.

5. What is the Form UKM fee in 2019 (how much does it cost to submit?

As registering under Form UKM is remedying a previously unfair law, you only need to pay £80 for the citizenship ceremony.

6. What is Form UKM processing time in 2019?

You should receive an acknowledgment letter confirming your application has been received within 4 weeks. You will typically receive a decision on your application within 6 months. However, these are guidelines advised by the Home Office and in some circumstances, it may take longer to register as a British citizen.

7. What Form UKM documents are required in 2019?

You will need to submit:

Your current passport; and
A passport sized photo (& the details of two referees); and
Your birth certificate that includes the name of your parent(s); and
Your mother’s full birth certificate; and either
Your mother’s certificate of naturalisation/registration as a CUKC (citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies); or
Her legal adoption papers; or
Her expired CUKC passport; and
Any marriage certificates relevant to any name changes in relation to you or your mother; and
Evidence that (had you been a CUKC if the law had been different), you would have had a right of abode and would have been a British citizen.

The evidence recommended above may be enough to prove you are entitled to register as a British citizen, however additional evidence may be required if at the time of your birth your mother was not a CUKC by birth, adoption or registration in the UK, but that one of her parents was a CUKC at that time.

If this is the case, you will need to submit the evidence below:

Passports, P60s, NI contributions, DSS claims, employers’ letters showing that you were ordinarily resident in the UK for a continuous period of 5 years prior to 1st January 1983 and were settled in the UK by the end of that period; or
Marriage certificate and evidence of your husband’s right of abode (i.e. passport), if you are a woman who was married prior to 1st January 1983 to a man with the right of abode in the UK.

8. Does Form UKM have an English language requirement?

No. Form UKM does not have an English language requirement.

9. How do I submit Form UKM?

You can apply by post after completing and signing Form UKM, and including the payment slip.

If you are currently in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you should send the form to the Lieutenant Governor.

If you currently residing in a British overseas territory, you should send the form to the Governor.

If you are currently in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the form must be sent to:

Department 1
UKVI
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP

If you are any where else, including a Commonwealth country, you should send the form to the above address in Liverpool.

You can also apply online here, allowing you to edit and download the application before it is sent. You will be asked for your debit or credit card details once the application has been submitted.

10. What should I write in the Form UKM covering letter (supporting letter)?

Any good application should be accompanied by a thorough covering letter.

Your covering letter should include details of:

Your personal details such as your name, date of birth, details of any current nationalities you hold, your address; and
Your previous immigration history; and
How you meet the requirements.

11. When should I submit the Form UKM application?

There is no time restriction to applying with Form UKM, such as other forms of registering citizenship which require registration prior to turning 18 years old.

12. What should I do if Form UKM is refused?

You can apply for a reconsideration of an application for registration for £372.

We would advise you seek the advice of a solicitor in this case, as the Home Office will only reconsider under certain circumstances.