British Nationality Act 1981

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)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)