Until 1948 British colonial and Commonwealth subjects were British citizens with the right of settlement in the UK with full British citizenship.

Under the 1948 Nationality Act, people from the self-governing Commonwealth could register as Citizens of the UK and Colonies, to retain British citizenship. This was extended in 1962 under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act to include the colonies.

Applications for registration as Citizens of the UK and Colonies, 1948-87 are in the National Archives in HO 334. The information includes name, name at birth if different, address, date and place of birth, marital status, father's name and date and place of birth, and whether he was still alive. From 1980 the certificates are briefer and include only the name, name at birth if different, address, and date and place of birth.

The certificates are arranged by certificate number. Unfortunately, the National Archives does not hold indexes to these registrations; to get the certificate number (usually prefixed 'R') you will need to write to:

The Home Office
Immigration and Nationality Directorate
3rd Floor, India Buildings
Water Street, Liverpool
L2 0QN

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