ETA for kids of UK citizens?

[Anonymous]

We are traveling to the UK this summer and not sure if our kids will need the ETA. Husband and I are dual citizens (USA & UK) and kids were born in USA. Kids have USA passports only. I know that my kids are eligible to become UK Citizens through their parents, but what does this mean in terms of them needing the ETA?

[Anonymous]

The UK government is pretty clear that babies need an ETA when traveling with parents and what the exceptions are for who needs an ETA and I don’t see one for children of UK citizens so I’d get one.

[Anonymous]

Yes you need one. You should also get them British passports. You never know when it could be useful.

[Anonymous]

Either get UK passports for all the kids or file ETA for all the kids.

[Anonymous]

Just go across on a rubber raft. No problem.

[Anonymous]

Yes you need the ETA if you only have a US passport, regardless of age. It takes literally 2 minutes and we got a response within an hour (in one case, the response was almost instant).

[Anonymous]

Of course you need ETA. If you don’t want to make them an ETA, then make them UK passports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are traveling to the UK this summer and not sure if our kids will need the ETA. Husband and I are dual citizens (USA & UK) and kids were born in USA. Kids have USA passports only. I know that my kids are eligible to become UK Citizens through their parents, but what does this mean in terms of them needing the ETA?

Are they automatically UK citizens, but just haven't yet got UK passports?

There has been a lot of discussion about UK dual citizens whose UK passports have lapsed trying to get ETA, but the ETA application form asks which citizenships you have. They were telling dual citizens in Europe that they needed to renew their UK passports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are traveling to the UK this summer and not sure if our kids will need the ETA. Husband and I are dual citizens (USA & UK) and kids were born in USA. Kids have USA passports only. I know that my kids are eligible to become UK Citizens through their parents, but what does this mean in terms of them needing the ETA?

Are they automatically UK citizens, but just haven't yet got UK passports?

There has been a lot of discussion about UK dual citizens whose UK passports have lapsed trying to get ETA, but the ETA application form asks which citizenships you have. They were telling dual citizens in Europe that they needed to renew their UK passports.

Here's the discussion. Maybe there's more recent information.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/04/02/uk-eta-travel-permit-british-dual-nationals-flag-issues-with-application-system

[Anonymous]

I suggest asking some experts, not the DCUM crowds who aren't experts on UK citizenship issues.

[Anonymous]

I think your kids are automatically Uk citizens, so you just need to apply online for passports. Seems pretty easy. I’d do that.

[Anonymous]

“If you do not have a valid document and need to travel soon.

Currently, if you’re a British dual citizen with a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA, you should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA.”

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens

I think this means theoretically they should be able to pass through British immigration. However, there may be a risk that the airline does not allow boarding in absence of a British passport, entitlement doc or a visa/eta? In my understanding, airlines aren’t usually willing to risk a passenger being refused entry at port of entry as there is a significant financial penalty.

[Anonymous]

There is a British Embassy in DC. Telephone them first. Surely a local parent can take his/her UK passport, kids, and kids birth certificates and get a UK passport issued there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“If you do not have a valid document and need to travel soon.

Currently, if you’re a British dual citizen with a valid passport for one of the nationalities that can get an ETA, you should be allowed to board transport to the UK as normal, without an ETA.”

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta-guide-for-dual-citizens

I think this means theoretically they should be able to pass through British immigration. However, there may be a risk that the airline does not allow boarding in absence of a British passport, entitlement doc or a visa/eta? In my understanding, airlines aren’t usually willing to risk a passenger being refused entry at port of entry as there is a significant financial penalty.

That link is incredibly confusing for travelers. They don't clarify much, and I agree the airline check in could be difficult. You'd still have to prove you're a British citizen somehow.

[Anonymous]

I agree that it is very confusing.