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British Nationality Act 1981
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British Nationality Act 1981, Section 18 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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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- s. 6(3) (4) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 40(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1)(bc)-(be) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(2) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- s. 41(1B) (1C) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 41(3) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))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- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ba)(bb) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(5) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(ca) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(7) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(5) inserted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(10) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))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- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(c) repealed by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(6) Sch. Pt. 2 (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(a) substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(4) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(2)-(4) substituted for Sch. 1 para. 2(2)(3) by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(9) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) word substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(a) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
- Sch. 1 para. 2(1)(d) words substituted by 2009 c. 11 s. 39(8)(b) (Amending provision prospectively repealed by 2022 c. 36, s. 9(3)(a))
18 Acquisition by naturalisation.U.K.
(1)If, on an application for naturalisation as a [F1British overseas territories citizen] made by a person of full age and capacity, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
(2)If, on an application for naturalisation as a [F1British overseas territories citizen] made by a person of full age and capacity who on the date of the application is married to such a citizen, [F2or is the civil partner of such a citizen] the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
(3)Every application under this section shall specify the [F3British overseas territory] which is to be treated as the relevant territory for the purposes of that application; and, in relation to any such application, references in Schedule 1 to the relevant territory shall be construed accordingly.
[F4(4)This section is subject to sections 31, 33 and 36 of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (restriction of eligibility for citizenship etc).]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in. s. 18 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(b)
F2Words in s. 18(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 76; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))
F3Words in s. 18(3) substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)
F4S. 18(4) inserted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 37(10), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 18 restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 33(2)(b), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
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