Hello, mga ka-Dadbuhay! 👋
This month, I’ve been working on something really important for our family — applying for British citizenship for my two daughters. Since I got my Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status last November, I finally have the right to register my kids as British citizens — a step we’ve been looking forward to for a while.
As always, I’m doing it DIY style (Do-It-Yourself) — no solicitor, no agent, just lots of research, patience, and a whole lot of clicking on the UK government website. 😅 So I thought I’d share our experience so far, especially for fellow Filipino parents here in the UK who might be in the same boat.
👨👩👧👧 Why Apply for British Citizenship?
My daughters were both born in the UK, but being born here doesn’t automatically make them British. Under UK law, at least one parent needs to have settled status or ILR before a child can be registered as a British citizen.
Now that I have ILR, I can register both of them using the MN1 form, which is the application for children under 18.
📌 Basic Requirements for MN1 Citizenship Application
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need:
- Form MN1 – Online application form (available on GOV.UK)
- Birth certificates of both children
- My ILR BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
- Passports of parents and children
- Proof of address (recent utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
- Marriage certificate (optional but helps establish family ties)
- Two referees who’ve known the child for at least 3 years
(One must be a professional like a teacher or doctor, and neither can be related.)
💸 Fees as of 2025
- £1,214 per child
(Yes, medyo mabigat, but it’s a one-time fee.) - Optional: Biometric appointment fee (around £70+ depending on location and schedule)
All payments are made online during the application process.
🛠️ Steps in the DIY Application
- Create an account on GOV.UK
- Fill out MN1 Form – Be honest and thorough.
- Upload all supporting documents
- Pay the application fee
- Book a UKVCAS appointment for biometrics
- Wait for the decision – can take up to 6 months (sometimes faster!)
📝 Tips from My Experience
- Prepare your documents ahead of time. Mahirap habulin last minute!
- Use the official GOV.UK website only. Avoid third-party agents unless you really need help.
- Check the referees’ eligibility — this can cause delays if not done correctly.
- Make copies of everything! You’ll thank yourself later.
💬 Why I’m Sharing This
As a dad, I always want to make sure my kids have the best future possible. Gaining British citizenship means more security, more opportunities, and less paperwork in the future for them.
It’s a proud moment — not just as an immigrant, but as a father doing everything for his children. 💪
🧷 Useful Links
Have questions about the process or going through something similar? Drop your thoughts or experiences in the comments, or message me on social media @dadbuhay. Let’s help each other out!
Till next time,
DaddyBuhay
DadBuhay 
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