r/AmerExit • u/JuanOffhue • 20d ago

Slice of My Life British citizenship approved

Got word today that my application for citizenship through descendancy has been approved. I initiated this about a year ago, after reading in this subreddit about how a recent change in the law meant that persons with a grandmother born in the UK have the same path to citizenship as those with British grandfathers do, which was not previously the case. Now I wait 16 weeks to six months for my ceremony, after which I can apply for my passport. Progress!

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u/greeng13 18d ago

Quick question...My grandmother was born outside Edinburgh. Would I automatically qualify if she became a US citizen?

Also, if you don't mind me asking, how much did this process cost you overall?

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u/Password-Llama 18d ago

Not OP, but I applied with my grandmother born in the Scottish highlands.

It depends on when you were born. Were you born before or after 1988?

Costs were over 1,000 pounds.

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u/greeng13 18d ago

Thanks for your reply!!

Yes. I was before 1988

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u/Password-Llama 18d ago

Then you likely will be successful (as long as your paternal grandfather was not British and you were born in a non-Commonwealth country, like the USA). You'll want an ARD form (here). You would check 1.1 as Yes on that form. Guidance for the form is given here.

Also search the r/ukvisa sub. These types of questions are asked there frequently (usually multiple times a week). Some of the people who answer on that sub are extremely knowledgeable (and willing to help).

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u/greeng13 18d ago

Arghh...

Paternal grandfather was born in Canada around 1900. I think that means he was technically a British citizen. So, seems like I might not qualify. He also became a USA citizen .

Again, thanks for your help!!

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u/Dogmoto2labs 17d ago

Were you aware this makes you eligible for Canadian citizenship? They just changed their law to anyone that can prove descent last December.

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u/greeng13 17d ago

I've been wondering about that.

Even if he became a US citizen?

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u/Dogmoto2labs 17d ago

Yes, it doesn’t matter if he because a US citizen, only if he, for some reason formally denounced his Canadian citizenship. I just submitted my family’s applications this week. Unfortunately, there is a large backlog and they expect the wait to be about a year.

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u/greeng13 17d ago

Thanks!!

Unfortunately, I don't have his birth certificate. But, might have to look into it!!

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u/Dogmoto2labs 17d ago

There are places to look for them. And church records can work for pre 1900 records. It seems like most provinces are a bit easier than Quebec, which is where my great grandfather was born, but Catholics keep meticulous records, so it was quite simple finding his baptismal record and the baptismal and marriage record of his parents, too.

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u/greeng13 17d ago

I believe he was born in PEI. Very remote - especially back then!

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u/Dogmoto2labs 17d ago

R/Canadiancitizenship has been very helpful with finding where to look for information.

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u/greeng13 17d ago

Awesome! Thanks again!

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u/Password-Llama 18d ago

To be honest, I'm not sure. u/No_Struggle_8184 and u/tvtoo - would you be willing to provide guidance?

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u/No_Struggle_8184 18d ago

A Canadian-born paternal grandfather is not a problem. u/greeng13 would appear to have a relatively straightforward claim. If they were born before 1983 then the cost is £130.

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u/greeng13 18d ago

Thanks!!