This page explains whether you are able to register to resume British citizenship or citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

Can I resume my citizenship?

You may apply to resume your British citizenship if you are of sound mind and:

• you made a declaration to give up British citizenship after 1 January 1983; or
• you made a declaration to give up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies before 1 January 1983.
• born, naturalised or registered in the United Kingdom; or
• registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies in an independent Commonwealth country.

If you gave up your citizenship before 1 January 1983 you must also have one of the following connections with the United Kingdom:

Yu have a right, only once, to register as a British citizen if you gave up your citizenship to keep or gain another citizenship.

You have a separate right, only once, to register as a British citizen if you gave up citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies:

• to keep or gain citizenship of a Commonwealth country, or
• because you had reasonable cause to believe that your citizenship of a Commonwealth country would be taken away if you did not give up your citizenship of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

If you gave up your citizenship for any other reason, or have already given up and resumed British citizenship as a right, the Home Secretary may allow you to resume it, depending on the circumstances.