Section 18 Acquisition by naturalisation.C1
United Kingdom
If, on an application for naturalisation as a F1British overseas territories citizen made by a person of full age and capacity, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
If, on an application for naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen made by a person of full age and capacity who on the date of the application is married to such a citizen, F2or is the civil partner of such a citizen the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
Every application under this section shall specify the F3British overseas territory which is to be treated as the relevant territory for the purposes of that application; and, in relation to any such application, references in Schedule 1 to the relevant territory shall be construed accordingly.
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Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Words in. s. 18 substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(b)
- F2
Words in s. 18(2) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 261(1), 263, Sch. 27 para. 76; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(2) (subject to art. 2(3)-(5))
- F3
Words in s. 18(3) substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 1(1)(b)
- F4
S. 18(4) omitted (2.12.2025) by virtue of Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 (c. 31), ss. 42(2)(j), 65(3)(a)
Modifications
- C1
S. 18 restricted (20.7.2023) by Illegal Migration Act 2023 (c. 37), ss. 33(2)(b), 68(3)(a) (with s. 55(9))
Notes on Part II
Textual amendments
- F1
Pt. II heading substituted (26.2.2002) by British Overseas Territories Act 2002 (c. 8), s. 2(2)(a)
Modifications
- C1
Pt. II (ss. 15–25) excluded by S.I. 1983/882, art. 2(3)