Archive Website of the UK government

Babies born as British citizens abroad

You can go to either the British High Commission or the British Consul in most countries to register a birth. Birth certificates are issued by these authorities and can be used as proof of British citizenship, British Dependant Territories citizenship or British Overseas citizenship.

Your overseas registrations will be processed in the UK within 12 months, after which time additional certificates can be ordered.

Babies born to serving members of the British Armed Forces

If you are serving in the British Armed Forces abroad when your child is born, you can register the birth with the Forces Family Services or your relevant Registering Officer. You should do this within 12 months.

Useful contacts include:

Germany

G1 Compassionate (BMD) Headquarters UKSC
Germany
BFPO 140

Cyprus

Personnel Branch Headquarters
British Forces Cyprus
BFPO 53

Nepal

Service Registering Officer
DCOS HQ
British Gurkhas Nepal
BFPO 4

All other areas

Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre
Imjin Barracks
Building 182
Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1HW

Countries in which you are not able to register a birth with British authorities

• Ascension Islands
• Australia
• Bermuda
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Christmas Islands
• Falkland Islands
• Gibraltar
• Irish Republic
• Nevis
• New Zealand
• St.Helena
• South Africa
• Turks & Cacos Islands
• Virgin Islands (UK)

In these cases, please contact the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Registering a birth overseas Opens new window