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British Nationality Act 1981
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- Deddfau Cyhoeddus Cyffredinol y Deyrnas Unedig
- 1981 c. 61
- Part I
- Renunciation and resumption
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Nodweddion Uwch
- Dangos Graddfa Ddaearyddol(e.e. Lloegr, Cymru, Yr Alban aca Gogledd Iwerddon)
- Dangos Llinell Amser Newidiadau
Rhagor o Adnoddau
Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Renunciation and resumption
Alternative versions:
Changes to legislation:
British Nationality Act 1981, Cross Heading: Renunciation and resumption is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 02 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 4AA inserted by 2024 c. 19 s. 1(2)
- s. 6(3) (4) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 40(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1)(bc)-(be) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1B) (1C) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(3) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 50A(1)(aa) inserted by 2024 c. 19 s. 1(4)(a)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ba)(bb) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(5) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ca) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(7) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(5) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(10) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 6(2)-(4) inserted by 2022 c. 36 Sch. 1 para. 3(4)(d)
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(c) repealed by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(6) Sch. Pt. 2 (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(4) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(2)-(4) substituted for Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(3) by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(9) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) word substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(a) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) words substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(b) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
Renunciation and resumption U.K.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 12 extended by S.I. 1986/948, art. 7(10)
12 Renunciation.U.K.
(1)If any British citizen of full age and capacity makes in the prescribed manner a declaration of renunciation of British citizenship, then, subject to subsections (3) and (4), the Secretary of State shall cause the declaration to be registered.
(2)On the registration of a declaration made in pursuance of this section the person who made it shall cease to be a British citizen.
(3)A declaration made by a person in pursuance of this section shall not be registered unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person who made it will after the registration have or acquire some citizenship or nationality other than British citizenship; and if that person does not have any such citizenship or nationality on the date of registration and does not acquire some such citizenship or nationality within six months from that date, he shall be, and be deemed to have remained, a British citizen notwithstanding the registration.
(4)The Secretary of State may withhold registration of any declaration made in pursuance of this section if it is made during any war in which Her Majesty may be engaged in right of Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom.
(5)For the purposes of this section any person who has been married [F1, or has formed a civil partnership,] shall be deemed to be of full age.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 12(5) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 74; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 12 extended by S.I. 1986/948, art. 7(10)
13 Resumption.U.K.
(1)Subject to subsection (2), a person who has ceased to be a British citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen, to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a)he is of full capacity; and
(b)his renunciation of British citizenship was necessary to enable him to retain or acquire some other citizenship or nationality.
(2)A person shall not be entitled to registration under subsection (1) on more than one occasion.
(3)If a person of full capacity who has ceased to be a British citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation (for whatever reason made) makes an application for his registration as such a citizen, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause him to be registered as such a citizen.
[F2(4)This section is subject to sections 31, 32 and 36 of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (restriction of eligibility for citizenship etc).]
Textual Amendments
F2S. 13(4) inserted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 37(8), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3S. 13(1)(3) restricted (4.12.2006) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), ss. 58, 62; S.I. 2006/2838, art. 4(1) (subject to art. 4(2))
C4S. 13(1) restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 33(1)(c), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
C5S. 13(1) restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 32(1)(e), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
C6S. 13(3) restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 32(2)(a)(iv), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
C7S. 13(3) restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 33(2)(a)(iii), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
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