United Kingdom - Info - British Citizenship and Belize
Residents and those born in British Honduras (now known as Belize) have several ways in which to claim British Nationality. These are:
- A British or UK-born mother or father
- Not having gained nationality of Belize on Independence
- A grandparent born in the UK
- A parent or grandparent born outside of British Honduras
- A parent or grandparent holding a nationality other than Belize
The Independence Day arrangements on 20.09.1981 gave rise to many residents gaining one of the various forms of British Nationality. Those born in Belize would have held Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) status. This status would have been lost if the new Belize constitution granted nationality. If not, then British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status would have been achieved and, in some cases, this can be upgraded to full British Nationality.
For these and other forms of British Nationality available to Belize residents, those born there or nationals, click on British Citizenship.
STATUS OF BELIZE
Between 1798 and 31.12.1948, Belize fell within the British Crown Dominions (first as the Bay Settlement and then as the Colony of British Honduras).
From 01.01.1949 until 31.05.1973, it was within the UK and Colonies as British Honduras. From 01.06.1973 until 20.09.1981, it was within the UK and Colonies as Belize.
Click here for more information on the status of Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies (CUKC), a status achieved by birth in the Colony.
From 21.09.1981 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country. Click here for more information about the consequences of being born in a Commonwealth country.