The process is termed a Consular Birth Registration Abroad (CBRA).
In the above case, ECO-Friendly would like to emphasize that the child should be the natural child of the British national.
Thus, if the mother (applicant for a UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa or any type of UK Settlement Visa) is a Filipina and the father is British, their child could apply for a CBRA.
Under the law, British nationality is inherent in the child and he or she is therefore considered automatically a British citizen if one of the parent (either the mother or father) is British.
Thus, if the child was born in the Philippines or if born in the UK but the parents failed to register the same in the UK, registration of such birth at the British Embassy-Manila located at “The Fort” in Taguig is advised although not really a legal requirement.
Registration is suggested for the simple reason that if said birth is officially recorded at the UK Embassy, any document evidencing the Consular Birth Registration officially issued by said Embassy is considered as an authentic and certified proof that the child is indeed a British national.
In the event that the Filipina mother decides to apply for a UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa or any type of UK Settlement Visa, the CBRA of her child is one direct and express evidence of her relationship with her sponsor since they are the parents of the child who was registered as a UK National as shown by the CBRA which was officially issued by the UK Embassy-Manila.
The UK Embassy used to require the applicant to personally file the application for the CBRA at their main office. At present, however, the application, together with the attached supporting documents should be delivered via a local courier.
Under the rules for Consular Birth Registrations, as published in the Official Website of the UK Embassy, the supporting documents must be sent under the following manner:
1. Send one (1) original and one (1) photocopy for each document
2. Include a prepaid courier envelope for the return of the original documents
3. If paying in cash, applicant needs to contact a local courier who will arrange to send the payment to the Embassy.
4. If you are paying by manager’s cheque, you will need to contact a local bank who will issue you with the cheque which you need to send along with your requirements. The cheque should be made payable to ‘British Embassy’ and in peso currency.
ECO-Friendly stresses that the applicants for the UK Spouse Visa, UK Fiancée Visa or any type of UK Settlement Visa planning to file for the CBRA of their children should make sure that the application is completely accomplished.
ECO-Friendly would also like to remind the applicants for the CBRA that if it is not possible to submit certain documents required, it is better to explain why such document could not be complied with rather than falsify it and send a forged document.
If the UK Embassy officer is not satisfied with the documents submitted, he may require a DNA Test to be undertaken by the applicant and the parent concerned.