Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Paperwork

the timeframe for the renunciation seems variable – make sure to allow plenty of time.

When I did my renunciation back in 2018 it took me 6 weeks using the paper submission of the RN1 with all supporting documents. However, others have said that doing their online has meant a considerably longer wait – many did not hear anything for six months and in one case, the renunciation papers were returned back to the Home Office as undelivered. Factoring in six months for the renunciation would mean that it is advisable to do it at latest eighteen months after gaining Austrian citizenship, although my personal belief is that it is best to press on with it as soon as possible, since the last thing I would want is for a long and strenuous procedure to be rendered null and void by a failure to get the paperwork done in time. The complications of the process “lapsing” that Uzbek and Ukrainian citizens I know have told me about are simply not worth the hassle.

Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation
  • Hi,

    I’ve submitted my online form for renouncing my British Citizenship. They have asked for some documents to be sent to the Liverpool (in the checklist).

    Must the supporting documents be the original or can they be photocopy? Similar to someone who asked before, I’m also concerned my passport will get misplaced or I can’t travel during the renouncement processing period.

    How long does it usually take to process and reply with a confirmation letter for my application? I’ll need it for my other citizenship application as supporting document, but the indication says the renouncement process can take up to 6 months, which is the validity of my citizenship application, otherwise it’ll be rejected.

    Is there way to expedite the process/ renouncement?

    • Sorry for the delay in replying – my advice would be to send a copy of the passport and only sending the original for cancellation once you have your Austrian passport.

  • Hello …can you help me?
    I am renouncing my british passport to take on Liechtenstein citizenship. There is NO DUAL citizenship allowed.
    I am worried that I will have NO passport..no ability to travel during the process time… as I have family in Austria and Britain, I would not like to be a “prisoner” !! One only gets a Liechtenstein passport AFTER proof of renouncing british is received….any advice.. thanks in advance

    • Would suggest sending in only a copy of the British passport – due to living in a microstate you would be justified in retaining a valid travel document until your new passport and citizenship comes through.

  • Can a copy of my US passport be sent for proof of citizenship when renouncing British citizenship? I am completing on-line application, where do I send original British passport and supporting documents.

    • Usually when you submit the online forms, there is an address stated at the end (for UKVI in Liverpool) that they say where some documents e.g. travel documents are required to be sent. If your US passport is proof of US citizenship (in some countries a passport is only a travel document and not considered proof of citizenship – e.g. from here you send your Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) then a copy would be a suitable document to send. There is a filling guide, please check whether you need a certified copy made of the photo page by a lawyer. Hope this helps – this blog only deals with becoming an Austrian citizen and renouncing British.

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

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    Naturalisation timeline
    Naturalisation timeline based on my experience

    I had my information appointment in April 2017, and was given an appointment for the application (Antragstermin) in late October 2017. The decision confirming eligibility (Zusicherungsbescheid) came through at the end of April 2018, with the ceremony for Austrian citizenship taking place at the start of July 2018.

  • I have received my Zusicherungsbescheid and have started the online application to renounce UK citizenship. I stopped at the payment section. My question is – can I send the form online with scans of my passport and Bescheid, or do I have to print it out and send my original Bescheid plus passport to the UK? I am concerned about being left without a passport until the UK authorities confirm that I am no longer a UK citizen. Thanks for the help.

    • I only sent copies of everything – I would maintain that you need your passport until your Austrian Citizenship has been conferred. After all, the wording of the law is that you have up to two years to prove you have renounced.

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

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    Question received from a site visitor wondering whether renunciation forms could be circumvented by letting their UK passport expire.

    It is not that simple. Following my naturalisation ceremony, I had to subsequently prove that I had indeed renounced my British citizenship. Seeing as I had to submit and pay for the renunciation process to trigger the naturalisation ceremony, there was no way around doing it. I was also required to furnish the “registered” (ie. formally approved) renunciation of my British citizenship bearing the Home Office stamp and date with MA35 to conclude the process and for my file to be closed.

    Article 20 of the Austrian Citizenship Act of 1985 clarifies that renunciation must be done within 2 years of receiving Austrian citizenship. (Information checked on 05.01.2019).

    Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation
  • I sent in a copy of my renunciation certificate plus translation and it was accepted without question. I was not asked to produce the original certificate. I am so glad I ignored the demand to have my certificate apostilled. I am now an Austrian citizen.

  • I didn’t have to for mine, but if the insist on it, you might have to (they might be more insistent now that the UK has actually left the EU).

    • Thanks. The justification I was given is that all UK documents have to be apostilled. When did you hand in your declaration of renunciation? I live in Styria. Do you mind telling me which provincial authority you dealt with? I would really like to get out of this as it means more hassle and more money down the drain.

      • I did mine in Vienna – at MA35 – my renunciation was handed in about three weeks after receipt as I was combining it with another appointment there for my wife. I will pass on an e-mail address for a contact in Graz who might be able to help you.

  • I have received my „Bescheid“ granting me Austrian citizenship and my declaration of renunciation of British Citizenship with the Home Office stamp. The person responsible for my citizenship application now informs me that I need to get the apostille on the Declaration of Renunciation. Is this correct?

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Can a British citizen renounce as a minor. An interesting question…

    No. In my son’s procedure I had a case officer insisting that he would have to, despite my submission of a commented copy of the valid consolidated version of the UK Nationality Act of 1981 in the version most recently amended. I lodged the 102 pages along with 5 pages of comments in German about the provisions that apply in his case, and paid for this to be submitted for the file. One other case officer had the temerity to ask me when I thought she or colleagues would have the time to read it. I responded with a smile that she would not have to read the 102 pages, only the five page commentary, but failing that I reminded her that ignorance of a law is not a defence when a law is broken.

    In doing my renunciation, I even included a letter stating why I believed that it was in his interests to renounce his citizenship (in light of the fact that he could not pass it on without his own children being born in the UK, and that if he did not live in the UK prior to attaining majority he would not be able to vote in the UK). This letter, which appealed to the Home Secretary to exercise his/her powers to allow renunciation in my son’s best interests and permit his renunciation despite being a minor was rejected. My son’s application to renounce his British citizenship was rejected, he having taken Austrian citizenship by then and when I went to MA35 to lodge my official renunciation, the staff member conceded that I had done everything possible for my son to renounce, going over and beyond the requirement of the law, and that they accepted that he could not renounce.

    Some people have asked about whether a child might have to decide at 18 which citizenship to hold. While a child naturalising can be required to choose at 18, there is a limitation of six years for how long the file can be kept open. If the child is more than six years away from reaching majority, the file will be shut before this applies.

    Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation

    Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Personal

    Naturalisation timeline
    Naturalisation timeline based on my experience

    I had my information appointment in April 2017, and was given an appointment for the application (Antragstermin) in late October 2017. The decision confirming eligibility (Zusicherungsbescheid) came through at the end of April 2018, with the ceremony for Austrian citizenship taking place at the start of July 2018.

  • I have received my Zusicherungsbescheid and have started the online application to renounce UK citizenship. I stopped at the payment section. My question is – can I send the form online with scans of my passport and Bescheid, or do I have to print it out and send my original Bescheid plus passport to the UK? I am concerned about being left without a passport until the UK authorities confirm that I am no longer a UK citizen. Thanks for the help.

    • I only sent copies of everything – I would maintain that you need your passport until your Austrian Citizenship has been conferred. After all, the wording of the law is that you have up to two years to prove you have renounced.

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Renunciation

    the timeframe for the renunciation seems variable – make sure to allow plenty of time.

    When I did my renunciation back in 2018 it took me 6 weeks using the paper submission of the RN1 with all supporting documents. However, others have said that doing their online has meant a considerably longer wait – many did not hear anything for six months and in one case, the renunciation papers were returned back to the Home Office as undelivered. Factoring in six months for the renunciation would mean that it is advisable to do it at latest eighteen months after gaining Austrian citizenship, although my personal belief is that it is best to press on with it as soon as possible, since the last thing I would want is for a long and strenuous procedure to be rendered null and void by a failure to get the paperwork done in time. The complications of the process “lapsing” that Uzbek and Ukrainian citizens I know have told me about are simply not worth the hassle.

    Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation
  • Hi,

    I’ve submitted my online form for renouncing my British Citizenship. They have asked for some documents to be sent to the Liverpool (in the checklist).

    Must the supporting documents be the original or can they be photocopy? Similar to someone who asked before, I’m also concerned my passport will get misplaced or I can’t travel during the renouncement processing period.

    How long does it usually take to process and reply with a confirmation letter for my application? I’ll need it for my other citizenship application as supporting document, but the indication says the renouncement process can take up to 6 months, which is the validity of my citizenship application, otherwise it’ll be rejected.

    Is there way to expedite the process/ renouncement?

    • Sorry for the delay in replying – my advice would be to send a copy of the passport and only sending the original for cancellation once you have your Austrian passport.

  • Hello …can you help me?
    I am renouncing my british passport to take on Liechtenstein citizenship. There is NO DUAL citizenship allowed.
    I am worried that I will have NO passport..no ability to travel during the process time… as I have family in Austria and Britain, I would not like to be a “prisoner” !! One only gets a Liechtenstein passport AFTER proof of renouncing british is received….any advice.. thanks in advance

    • Would suggest sending in only a copy of the British passport – due to living in a microstate you would be justified in retaining a valid travel document until your new passport and citizenship comes through.

  • Can a copy of my US passport be sent for proof of citizenship when renouncing British citizenship? I am completing on-line application, where do I send original British passport and supporting documents.

    • Usually when you submit the online forms, there is an address stated at the end (for UKVI in Liverpool) that they say where some documents e.g. travel documents are required to be sent. If your US passport is proof of US citizenship (in some countries a passport is only a travel document and not considered proof of citizenship – e.g. from here you send your Staatsbürgerschaftsnachweis) then a copy would be a suitable document to send. There is a filling guide, please check whether you need a certified copy made of the photo page by a lawyer. Hope this helps – this blog only deals with becoming an Austrian citizen and renouncing British.

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Naturalisation timeline
    Naturalisation timeline based on my experience

    I had my information appointment in April 2017, and was given an appointment for the application (Antragstermin) in late October 2017. The decision confirming eligibility (Zusicherungsbescheid) came through at the end of April 2018, with the ceremony for Austrian citizenship taking place at the start of July 2018.

  • I have received my Zusicherungsbescheid and have started the online application to renounce UK citizenship. I stopped at the payment section. My question is – can I send the form online with scans of my passport and Bescheid, or do I have to print it out and send my original Bescheid plus passport to the UK? I am concerned about being left without a passport until the UK authorities confirm that I am no longer a UK citizen. Thanks for the help.

    • I only sent copies of everything – I would maintain that you need your passport until your Austrian Citizenship has been conferred. After all, the wording of the law is that you have up to two years to prove you have renounced.

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Question received from a site visitor wondering whether renunciation forms could be circumvented by letting their UK passport expire.

    It is not that simple. Following my naturalisation ceremony, I had to subsequently prove that I had indeed renounced my British citizenship. Seeing as I had to submit and pay for the renunciation process to trigger the naturalisation ceremony, there was no way around doing it. I was also required to furnish the “registered” (ie. formally approved) renunciation of my British citizenship bearing the Home Office stamp and date with MA35 to conclude the process and for my file to be closed.

    Article 20 of the Austrian Citizenship Act of 1985 clarifies that renunciation must be done within 2 years of receiving Austrian citizenship. (Information checked on 05.01.2019).

    Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation
  • I sent in a copy of my renunciation certificate plus translation and it was accepted without question. I was not asked to produce the original certificate. I am so glad I ignored the demand to have my certificate apostilled. I am now an Austrian citizen.

  • I didn’t have to for mine, but if the insist on it, you might have to (they might be more insistent now that the UK has actually left the EU).

    • Thanks. The justification I was given is that all UK documents have to be apostilled. When did you hand in your declaration of renunciation? I live in Styria. Do you mind telling me which provincial authority you dealt with? I would really like to get out of this as it means more hassle and more money down the drain.

      • I did mine in Vienna – at MA35 – my renunciation was handed in about three weeks after receipt as I was combining it with another appointment there for my wife. I will pass on an e-mail address for a contact in Graz who might be able to help you.

  • I have received my „Bescheid“ granting me Austrian citizenship and my declaration of renunciation of British Citizenship with the Home Office stamp. The person responsible for my citizenship application now informs me that I need to get the apostille on the Declaration of Renunciation. Is this correct?

  • Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Can a British citizen renounce as a minor. An interesting question…

    No. In my son’s procedure I had a case officer insisting that he would have to, despite my submission of a commented copy of the valid consolidated version of the UK Nationality Act of 1981 in the version most recently amended. I lodged the 102 pages along with 5 pages of comments in German about the provisions that apply in his case, and paid for this to be submitted for the file. One other case officer had the temerity to ask me when I thought she or colleagues would have the time to read it. I responded with a smile that she would not have to read the 102 pages, only the five page commentary, but failing that I reminded her that ignorance of a law is not a defence when a law is broken.

    In doing my renunciation, I even included a letter stating why I believed that it was in his interests to renounce his citizenship (in light of the fact that he could not pass it on without his own children being born in the UK, and that if he did not live in the UK prior to attaining majority he would not be able to vote in the UK). This letter, which appealed to the Home Secretary to exercise his/her powers to allow renunciation in my son’s best interests and permit his renunciation despite being a minor was rejected. My son’s application to renounce his British citizenship was rejected, he having taken Austrian citizenship by then and when I went to MA35 to lodge my official renunciation, the staff member conceded that I had done everything possible for my son to renounce, going over and beyond the requirement of the law, and that they accepted that he could not renounce.

    Some people have asked about whether a child might have to decide at 18 which citizenship to hold. While a child naturalising can be required to choose at 18, there is a limitation of six years for how long the file can be kept open. If the child is more than six years away from reaching majority, the file will be shut before this applies.

    Categories: Legal, Paperwork, Renunciation

    Feel free to comment or ask a question....

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.