Get a citizenship application fee waiver if you’re under 18

You can apply for a fee waiver so you do not have to pay a citizenship application fee. If you’re applying online for your fee waiver, you must get your decision before you apply for citizenship.

If you turn 18 before you get a decision on your fee waiver application, you can still apply for citizenship as a child. You’ll still get a fee waiver if you’re eligible for it.

Eligibility

You can apply for a fee waiver if you’re under 18 and are eligible for British citizenship.

You can become a British citizen if one of your parents considered the UK as their home and did any of the following after you were born:

  • became a British citizen
  • got indefinite leave to remain in the UK
  • got ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’)
  • got indefinite leave to enter the UK
  • got permanent residence status

You can apply for a fee waiver if you and your parent or guardian cannot pay the fee because:

  • you do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
  • you’re unable to afford essential living costs like food and heating
  • you do not have enough money to pay the fee after paying for your accommodation and other essential living costs
  • paying the fee would mean a child’s needs cannot be met

There’s more information in the ‘affordability’ section of the guidance on how the Home Office will process your fee waiver application.

Your parent or legal guardian can apply on your behalf. They can include their other children in the same application.

Do not apply for a fee waiver if you’re being looked after by a local authority. Instead, provide evidence of this when you apply for citizenship. The application will be free.

Apply for a fee waiver

You can either apply online or by post.

If you’re applying from Guernsey or Jersey you must apply by post. You cannot currently apply for this fee waiver from the Isle of Man.

If you apply for a fee waiver online and you are successful, you must also then apply for citizenship online. If you cannot apply for both online, you must apply by post instead.

Apply by post

Fill in a Child citizenship fee waiver request form and send it to the address on the form.

Apply online

You’ll be able to save your form and return to it later.

Start now

Before you start

You’ll be asked to prove your identity by uploading a copy of your identity document online, for example your:

  • passport
  • national identity card
  • biometric residence permit (BRP)

You’ll also need to provide information about your financial situation, for example:

  • bank statements
  • letters from local authorities or family members showing you get financial support
  • evidence to show you get public funds
  • evidence of your household earnings, for example payslips
  • evidence of your household expenses, for example how much rent you pay

After you apply

You’ll get a confirmation email from the Home Office once you’ve applied.

If your application is approved, you’ll get an email or letter with a personalised code (called a ‘token’). Use this code in your citizenship application.

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