UK Home Office Allows Fee-Free Citizenship for Children

The UK Home Office has published guidance allowing children under the age of 18 to apply for British citizenship without the standard application fee if their families cannot afford it. This scheme is available to children eligible for British citizenship, provided at least one parent has treated the UK as their permanent home and has obtained British citizenship or settled status after the child's birth.

Financial assessments will consider factors such as lack of stable accommodation and inability to cover basic living costs. A parent or legal guardian can submit the application on behalf of the child, and multiple children from the same household can be included in a single waiver request.

Children in local authority care have a different process, which is free of charge. Applications can be submitted online or by post, with specific requirements for proof of identity and financial documentation.

Successful waiver applicants will receive a personalized code for their citizenship application.