In the aim of the international community, a person without nationality does not possess a national identification. The UK provides a route for registration as a British citizen for adult stateless persons under Schedule 2 of the British Nationality Act 1981 and other specific provisions found in the same act.

When applying, a stateless person must prove that they lack any nationality and are unable to acquire one. The Home Office considers whether it is fair to expect a person to be given a nationality due to their parents, place of birth, or residence. The evidence cannot be disputed; thus, the individual has no right to citizenship in another country.

Whether an applicant’s history of immigration and connection to the UK are relevant determines their eligibility. If a person is born in the country to stateless parents, registration may be possible after staying continuously there for 5 years. In the case of other individuals, including those who arrive here without a state, submission of the application according to the Appendix Statelessness condition should be considered.

Key elements include:

• Proving statelessness through documents or certified statements
• Showing that they have lived in the UK for an extended period of time
• Obtaining good conduct certificates for those over 10 years old
  
  

Stateless persons cannot be compared to persons changing their nationality from one to another, and one of the requirements they do not have is the Life in the UK test and English language requirements. However, they still need to meet the discretionary criteria set by the Home Secretary. It is highly recommended to seek legal advice, as the applications are complex and may be refused if insufficient evidence is submitted.

Registration with the British Authorities on the grounds of a birth in the UK without nationality (Form S3)?

The primary purpose of Form S3 is to register those who have been born in the UK but have not acquired any nationality, and those who have been in the same situation for their whole lives, whether they have been children or adults. This procedure is based on the fact that some people are born in the UK but are not officially considered citizens, as their parents were not British or were of a nationality that could not be passed to their children.

Requirements for Filling in Form S3

First of all, to register by filling in Form S3, the prospective applicant shall

• have been born in the UK;
• have no nationality by birth;
• be younger than 22 when the application is submitted;
• have been living in the UK for at least five years continuously before applying the present request.
  
  

The Home Office will also consider whether the applicant could reasonably acquire another nationality. If a parent’s country of nationality does not automatically confer citizenship to children, and the applicant has not taken steps to obtain it, the UK may accept this as a valid reason for statelessness.

How to apply

In the form, the applicant should include several points such as

• detail his or her coming to the country;
• Give proof of residence in the UK uninterruptedly for 5 years;

• Official statements or legal opinions from the embassy or consulate of the country to which they might otherwise be connected, confirming non-entitlement to that nationality
  
  

Such a way is not guaranteed. The Home Office has the power to decide and may reject applications if it finds them to be not credible or lacking sufficient evidence. When the reasonable character requirement applies to adults who are more than 10 years old.

Stateless persons born in the UK who meet the conditions outlined in Form S3 can obtain British citizenship and the full rights that come with it, including the right to work, study, and access public services. After registration, they can also apply for a British passport.