Swanhunter

Just to clear up, there is no requirement to issue or renew a second British paspsort at the same time as the primary.

armouredant

Yes, you may need to present your first passport to obtain the other, but the aren't linked for renewal as might be inferred above. Otherwise, what on earth would be the point.

ahmetdouas

Sorry maybe I got confused but when I renewed my UK passport, I was required to turn in all current valid UK passports while doing so.

GUWonder

There are allowances to do just that. But we wouldn't revoke his US citizenship as cheaply as he had wanted.

Also, voluntarily renouncing US citizenship wouldn't have been allowed to him a few years ago as he would have been denied the chance unless he jumped through all the hoops the US demands for this to be done.

:D!

Both incorrect.

If you have ever had a British passport which describes you as a British citizen, you cannot get a CoERoA, so it won't work for the OP.

CoERoAs are issued to British citizens. One of the ways to get one is to demonstrate that you are a British citizen.

One of the main reasons for getting one is if you wish to maintain citizenship of another country, which does not allow multiple citizenship. Thus, you will not ever apply for a British passport, but instead apply for this tacit acknowledgement that you are a British citizen, affixed to your other country's passport.

Another reason to get one is if you can't get a British passport because of HMPO's obstinacy in refusing to issue a British passport without the name being exactly the same as in all other country's passports. Or, if you are unable to get appropriate countersignatories.

CoERoAs are also issued to people who are not British citizens but have the right of abode. Many of these people can now become British citizens quite easily, but it was historically not allowed (for example, most people born to British mothers before 1983), although some can't.

Most British nationals who are not citizens do not have the right of abode in the UK, so do not qualify.

garykung

The Home Office has made it very clear that a British citizen is not entitled to the certificate and will not receive one even you apply, though the Application Guide:

If you wish to maintain citizenship of another country, you can choose not to naturalize as a British citizen. Then you will be entitled for the Certificate.

1. When the names don't match, they are legally not the same person.

2. HMPO can issue a passport without a countersignature if needed. Beside, it is extremely unlikely that a person can't find someone to countersign, unless the person is in overseas.

This is the main purpose of the Certificate.

Certificate of Entitlement has no bearing on the nationality unless the person is a British citizen or as a British subject with the right of abode in the UK.

GUWonder

That item is not true in this area. A person is legally the same person even if evidence of identity are not entirely consistent across the IDs; even if proof of citizenship is in doubt.

garykung

Only if you have the bridging document to prove.

GUWonder

Even without that. A person having two valid ordinary passports with inconsistent names and/or name order does not create two legal persons, at least not in this area.

garykung

I did not say it creates 2 legal persons. When discovered 2 passports with 2 different names, most authorities will think fake document.

I merely said "they are not the same person" to create a doubt in identity.

iamflyer

It sounds to me to be clear that you can receive a certificate as a British citizen, as long as you don't have a currently valid passport. It even says if you lost your passport you will need to report it lost before you can be issued a certificate.

garykung

While it is true, don't forget about the cost:

Certificate - £321
Passport - £72.50

Given the cost, I believe no British Citizen will choose the Certificate route.

GUWonder

That is simply not how it goes, when speaking of passports issued by different issuing authorities. Authorities who deal extensively with the passports of dual-nationals or those who may become dual-nationals know that most name inconsistencies across passports issued by different countries have nothing to do with fake documents. That kind of "fake document" thing related to real passports from different passport issuing authorities is so Hollywood-esque and tabloid-like click-bait/dog-whistle, but in practice the experienced authorities (at embassies/consulates, ports of entry/exist, and immigration/citizenship/naturalization agencies) know most of these situations have nothing to do with "fake document".

About people paying more to get a more expensive proof of citizenship rather than a cheaper proof of citizenship, it does happen. Sort of like some people pay for a more expensive course to migrate, naturalize and/or lose citizenship than some of the other alternatives out there for the very same person. Also, consider that some people may have no choice but to get a more expensive proof of citizenship when they may either not qualify for a passport or may qualify for a passport revocation but not for citizenship revocation; that or they want the more expensive proof before they may need it.

garykung

It does raise enough suspicion.

While I can't stop people wasting money, having the certificate in lieu of the passport does not make the citizenship non-existence.

GUWonder

Not commonly.


Having the more expensive certificate in lieu of the cheaper passport does make the proof of citizenship existent even when a passport is lost, stolen, restricted, revoked or denied. People do sometimes choose for good reason to pay more money for a form of proof of citizenship than for a cheaper form of proof of citizenship.

Having the certificate instead of the passport doesn't make the citizenship non-existent but it does make it possible for some to comply with restrictions on the citizen holding a passport and/or holding more than one country's passport at the same time or to otherwise not so easily run afoul of laws related to perjury or other obstruction of law.