Section 4L: British Citizenship Through Grandmother

Illustration representing British citizenship eligibility through a UK-born grandmother under section 4L.

Written By: Dean Beifus

UK Immigration

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August 29, 2025

Introduction;

For decades, British nationality law discriminated against women. Mothers couldn’t pass on British citizenship to their children in the same way fathers could. As a result, many people born abroad before 1983 were excluded from British citizenship — even though they would have qualified had their father been British.

What Changed in British Citizenship Law?

In 2022, the UK introduced section 4L of the British Nationality Act 1981. This provision allows individuals to register as British citizens if they were denied citizenship due to historical gender discrimination. Specifically, it applies to those whose British connection came through their mother or grandmother, but who were excluded under the laws in force at the time.

Who Qualifies for British Citizenship Under Section 4L?

You may be eligible to apply under section 4L if:

You were born before 1 January 1983.
Your father was born outside the UK and was not British.
Your paternal grandmother was born in the UK and would have been able to pass on citizenship if the law had treated men and women equally.

Example: Claiming British Citizenship Through a UK-Born Grandmother

Imagine you were born in South Africa in 1981. Your father was also born in South Africa, but his mother — your grandmother — was born in the UK. Under the old rules, your father couldn’t inherit British citizenship from his mother, and you couldn’t inherit it from him.

Now, under section 4L, you can apply to be registered as a British citizen. The law treats it as if your grandmother had been able to pass citizenship to your father, and then to you.

What About Your Children?

If your child was born before you become British, they do not automatically acquire citizenship. Once your own section 4L registration is approved, your child can apply for registration under section 3(1). This is a discretionary route for children of newly registered British citizens.

British Citizenship Application Fees & Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the costs and processing times:

Section 4L (Adult Registration):
- The application is free of the standard registration fee if you qualify under section 4L due to historical discrimination.
- However, a £130 ceremony fee is payable to attend the citizenship ceremony.
Section 3(1) (Child Registration):
- £1,214 Home Office fee
- Additional courier and biometric costs may apply if applying from South Africa.
Processing Time:
- Typically 6–12 months from submission.

Passport Eligibility After British Citizenship Registration

Once registered, you — and your child, if applicable — can apply for a British passport. Registration under section 4L grants British citizenship otherwise than by descent, which means any future children born after you become British will automatically be British at birth.