Section 16: Acquisition by descent.

British Nationality Act 1981 · 1981 c. 61View on legislation.gov.uk

Part II: British overseas territories citizenship

A person born outside the British overseas territories after commencement shall be a British overseas territories citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother—

is such a citizen otherwise than by descent; or
is such a citizen and is serving outside the British overseas territories in service to which this paragraph applies, his or her recruitment for that service having taken place in a British overseas territory .

Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) applies to—

Crown service under the government of a British overseas territory ; and
service of any description for the time being designated under subsection (3).

For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument designate any description of service which he considers to be closely associated with the activities outside the British overseas territories of the government of any British overseas territory .

Any order made under subsection (3) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.