My South African grandchild

[Patricia43]

Hi, Can any one help me with advice, My unmarried daughter lives in South Africa, she has fostered and subsequently adopted a South African born child. My daughter has now decided due to various problems in South Africa that she wishes to come back with her daughter to live permanently in England. Can she expect her daughter to automatically qualify for British Citizenship if not what is the best way to bring her child into England, should she wait in South Africa until citizenship is granted or can they come home and apply in England. Any help appreciated.

[Hels20]

Does your daughter have British citizenship and was she born in UK?

[Pikkewyn]

We have friends who have adopted in SA and are looking at bringing him to the UK for a visit and and want to apply for his british passport. They have had to wait for all the final papers to be sorted (It took 18 months from his birth) once he has all his official adoption papers finalised he is entitled to anything a birth child would be entilited to - so if your daughter is british then you child would be entitled to one too. They were advised to get his GB passport in SA and travel on it to the UK.

[Pikkewyn]

This might help and South Africa is on the list for 3. Other Adoptions.

[Kristingle]

Your daughter must get this all sorted out before she leaves SA. it might take a lot longer than she thinks .

Had she sought advice from the british embassy /consulate in SA?

[FamiliesShareGerms]

Agree - DD should contact her nearest embassy / consulate for advice on her options (and the cost and timescale involved)

[Patricia43]

Thanks to all who have replied, here goes to give a little more information to all who so generously commented.
My daughter was born in England to English parents.
She has e-mailed the British Consulate in Pretoria and has yet to receive a reply (2 months)
I have been told that the fact that my daughter was not resident in England at the time of the adoption can influence the outcome, but I cannot see why.
Sibongile, my grand daughter was just 1 year old when my daughter started to foster her she is now 12 yrs old. Although her adoption was only finalised last year.
I also think that all paperwork should be completed in South Africa but the process is stretching out into the future

[FamiliesShareGerms]

If she hasn't received a response in two months, your DD should contact the consulate again - maybe by phone. They really should have replied by now

[Patricia43]

yes I know she should now the holiday season is over maybe things can start moving again

[Patricia43]

@ Pikkewyn, thanks for you help,
Could I ask who advised your friends re getting the baby's GB passport. :)

[Pikkewyn]

Being non resident should have no effect on the child's eligibility for a passport. They were advised to feet GB passport in SA by Consulate - you need to ring, ring, ring until you get a reply. As a South African time I know just how slow South African officialdom can go!

[Patricia43]

Thanks Pikkewyn, I know what you mean about South Africa time etc, am not South African but I lived there for 30 lovely years.