British Citizenship. Acquisition by birth in the UK
British citizenship can be acquired automatically, by operation of law, at birth. This is the case where you were born in the UK and at the time of your birth at least one parent was a British citizen or settled in the UK.
Being “settled” means that your parent must have been ordinarily resident in the UK without being subject under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which he or she may remain.
In other words, your parent must have had, at the time of your birth, indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or settled status under Appendix EU if he or she is a Swiss or EEA citizen.
If at the time of your birth your settled parent emigrated to another country and was no longer ordinarily resident in the UK, the requirement is not satisfied.
If conditions are met, you do not have to be registered as a British citizen, as you acquired British citizenship automatically, by effect of law, at birth. What must be done in such circumstances is to apply for a British passport, the evidence of the citizenship already acquired. The application fee is only £49.
If you want to apply for British citizenship or for a British passport and need specialist advice, feel free to contact me. Please note that I am an accredited immigration adviser, not an employee of the UK Visas and Immigration. I charge fees for the advice provided.