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British Nationality Act 1981
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British Nationality Act 1981, Section 16 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 11 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.
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- 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- s. 6(3) (4) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 40(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1)(bc)-(be) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1B) (1C) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(3) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))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- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ba)(bb) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(5) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ca) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(7) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(5) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(10) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))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- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(c) repealed by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(6) Sch. Pt. 2 (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(4) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(2)-(4) substituted for Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(3) by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(9) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) word substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(a) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) words substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(b) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
16 Acquisition by descent.U.K.
(1)A person born outside the [F1British overseas territories] after commencement shall be a [F2British overseas territories citizen] if at the time of the birth his father or mother—
(a)is such a citizen otherwise than by descent; or
(b)is such a citizen and is serving outside the [F1British overseas territories] in service to which this paragraph applies, his or her recruitment for that service having taken place in a [F3 British overseas territory] .
(2)Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) applies to—
(a)Crown service under the government of a [F3 British overseas territory] ; and
(b)service of any description for the time being designated under subsection (3).
(3)For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument designate any description of service which he considers to be closely associated with the activities outside the [F1British overseas territories] of the government of any [F4 British overseas territory] .
(4)Any order made under subsection (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 16 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)
F2Words in s. 16(1) substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s.2(2)(b)
F3Words in s. 16 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)
F4Words in s. 16 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)
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