EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations consolidate with amendments and revoke the British Nationality (Dependent Territories) Regulations 1982. Part 2 of, and Schedules 1 to 3 to, these Regulations make provision in respect of applications for registration and naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen, the procedure for making a citizenship oath and pledge where required under section 42 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (“the Act”) and the contents of a certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen. Part 3 of, and Schedule 4 to, these Regulations make provision in respect of declarations of renunciation of British overseas territories citizenship. Part 4 of these Regulations makes supplemental provision. Key amendments require applicants aged ten or over to demonstrate good character when making an application under section 13(1) or (3) (as applied by section 24), 15(3) or (4), 17(5) or 22(1) or (2) of the Act. They also require applicants who are not of full capacity and who wish the full capacity requirement to be waived in their case in accordance with section 44A of the Act to provide reasons why it would be in their best interests for that requirement to be waived when making an application under section 13(1) or (3) (as applied by section 24), 18(1) or (2) or 22(2) of the Act and when making a declaration of renunciation of British overseas territories citizenship. The form of a certificate of naturalisation is no longer specified but the information which must be contained in such a certificate is specified and no longer includes the name which the holder had at birth if different from his current name.