Man of Honour
So with today’s announcement of a EU referendum in June, I have finally had the kick to get me to sort out my nationality issues.
For those who aren’t aware, although I was born, raised, educated and reside in the UK, I am technically German as I have a German mother – I never knew my father. I only visited Germany for the first time a couple of years back and most people would assume I am British through and through. So technically, I am just a German exercising treaty rights to work and live in the UK. To be frank, I don’t trust the British public not to make an epic mistake in the forthcoming vote, and so I’m keen to hedge my bets. I know for many people the vote is merely a principle and doesn’t affect them personally to huge degrees, but to me, it really does have potential for profound effects.
Since I was born here after 1983 and lived here up until I was 10 (and much more), I am eligible to “Register” as a British Citizen rather than being naturalised – which means I don’t need to do that stupid citizenship test that nobody British can pass.
I doubt I’ll get this sorted fast enough to actually be able to vote in the referendum, but who knows.
As part of the process, I need to prove that I was resident here for the first 10 years of my life. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a passport up until I was 16, so that doesn’t help. I had already submitted the DPA requests for medical records and school records, so hopefully that will be enough to pass that test. I also need to be of good character; that shouldn’t be an issue and provide biometrics. I feel pretty well prepared on the paperwork front. I did get some legal advice when the Conservatives first got into office, so I know the process and I don’t think I need to pay the (expensive) privilege of having a solicitor represent me. It seems straight forward enough.
So I’m aiming to have the forms sent off on Monday and we’ll see how it goes. I’ll use this thread to chronical my process with the Home Office and any frustrations that may arise. Wish me luck.
For those who aren’t aware, although I was born, raised, educated and reside in the UK, I am technically German as I have a German mother – I never knew my father. I only visited Germany for the first time a couple of years back and most people would assume I am British through and through. So technically, I am just a German exercising treaty rights to work and live in the UK. To be frank, I don’t trust the British public not to make an epic mistake in the forthcoming vote, and so I’m keen to hedge my bets. I know for many people the vote is merely a principle and doesn’t affect them personally to huge degrees, but to me, it really does have potential for profound effects.
Since I was born here after 1983 and lived here up until I was 10 (and much more), I am eligible to “Register” as a British Citizen rather than being naturalised – which means I don’t need to do that stupid citizenship test that nobody British can pass.
I doubt I’ll get this sorted fast enough to actually be able to vote in the referendum, but who knows.
As part of the process, I need to prove that I was resident here for the first 10 years of my life. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a passport up until I was 16, so that doesn’t help. I had already submitted the DPA requests for medical records and school records, so hopefully that will be enough to pass that test. I also need to be of good character; that shouldn’t be an issue and provide biometrics. I feel pretty well prepared on the paperwork front. I did get some legal advice when the Conservatives first got into office, so I know the process and I don’t think I need to pay the (expensive) privilege of having a solicitor represent me. It seems straight forward enough.
So I’m aiming to have the forms sent off on Monday and we’ll see how it goes. I’ll use this thread to chronical my process with the Home Office and any frustrations that may arise. Wish me luck.
