Citizenship and working in the UK

[jsherlock]

I am wondering about my citizenship. I am a US citizen, having been born here. My mother is a legal alien with a green card. She says I have citizen status in the UK through her, and that I should be able to work the UK with my UK passport

Comments

[solodanceparty]

I'm pretty sure you have access to the UK through her. I know a girl, American mother British father and she just moved over to the US through her mom. I believe you have automatic dual citizenship. Not 100% sure.

[arosoff]

If you were born after 1 January 1983, and your mother is a native-born UK citizen, you can claim British nationality through her. (Before the Nationality Act 1981 came into force, nationality was only passed through the paternal line.)

You need to contact the British Embassy or consulate about proving your nationality and obtaining a UK passport. You can't work there on your American one.

[feldspar_ghost]

what about those born before that date? was it granted retroactively to them as well? I was under the impression it was, and I was intending to apply unless im mistaken.

[caramel_betty]

PikiWedia backs you up on this. The Act has also conferred a right to registration as a British citizen on persons born between 8 February 1961 and 31 December 1982 who, but for the inability (at that time) of women to pass on their citizenship, would have acquired British citizenship automatically when the British Nationality Act 1981 came into force.
And then goes on to list some specific criteria.

And here's the actual legislation.

[feldspar_ghost]

thanks! I thought I saw it somewhere and couldn't find it and panicked :)

[sparkofcreation]

Did you say you already have a UK passport? If so, then obviously you are already a citizen.