My step-son is 5 years old and born in 2009 and my wife Ex partner is father of her son, he is British citizen and his name is on his birth cert. I was wondering can i still register him at the british embassy in manila and what documents do i need as it would help if he got a british passport has then not need pay for a visa fee for him, am i corrcet thinking this, thanks for any replies.
I think you have to register his birth through online now. https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth Back then, as is my case, you register birth through the Embassy/Consulate. I think you will need to provide the child's birth certificate, medical records, and marriage certificate of the parents (if applicable). Check with the link above. Make sure though that the father is a British otherwise than by descent, meaning born in the UK. Else, he won't be able to pass UK citizenship automatically to your step-son. Also, be prepared for a very long passport application processing. Even if your son does obtain his Consular Birth Registry. HMPO is very strict when it comes to passport applications coming from the Philippines.
Thanks for that Knightstrike, yes his father is a british citizen has he was born in uk, they was not married also.
Do you still have contact with the father? Your step-son would probably need DNA testing. Be prepared for that.
I have never met him but he still see's his son when he go's to subic.my wife stil has the documents from when she was pregant and photos of the dad with the son till he lefted her when son was 3 years old.
It won't be a straight-forward passport application. Based from what I've heard, read, and personally gone through, the average processing time for a passport application from the Philippines is around 8 to 10 months. Be prepared for a lengthy one. HMPO would scrutinise every detail regarding your son's eligibility and documents. Good luck!
It's not a necessary step in securing a British Passport for the child. In fact most people report that it just takes up too much time and it's quicker to go for the passport first and then report the birth in the UK later. I'm sure you know that applying for a British Passport is going to be a long process. It's certainly getting ever more complicated. Only British citizens "otherwise than by descent" can pass on their citizenship to their children born outside the UK automatically. Being British citizen "by descent" generally means that if you have a child born outside the United Kingdom then it will not automatically be a British citizen. Good luck
It's not necessary, but it's beneficial. A Consular Birth Registry is deemed equivalent to a UK Birth Certificate. It would also make it easier for your step-son to apply for services and passport renewals in the future. Like for example, if he loses his UK passport, he would have another UK document to show. I suggest you apply for one. I would most likely had a tougher time with my passport application if I didn't have mine.
All those points are valid. As always it's a personal choice. I guess it's really a question of priority. The Birth can be registered with UK authorities at any time either in the Philippines or even in the UK If you follow through the UK Gov website you linked in your post# 2 it states:-
Yes i seen that too so might do that instead and register him when he is here. Thanks for the replies has they have helped me.
