British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61)

Part II U.K. [F1 British overseas territories citizenship]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. II heading substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. II (ss. 15–25) excluded by S.I. 1983/882, art. 2(3)

Acquisition after commencement U.K.

18 Acquisition by naturalisation. U.K.

(1) If, on an application for naturalisation as a [F2 British 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 [F2 British 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, [F3 or 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 [F4 British 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.

[F5 (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

F2 Words in. s. 18 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(b)

F3 Words 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))

F4 Words in s. 18(3) substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)

F5 S. 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)

C2 S. 18 restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 33(2)(b), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))