A British father living in France has been told that his teenage daughter requires a DNA test to prove her paternity before she can receive a British passport. The demand comes under new post-Brexit entry rules that effectively bar dual nationals from entering the UK unless they hold a British passport.
The father, who is married to a French national, began the application process in February. He submitted extensive documentation to the Home Office, including photographs of his wife during pregnancy, family photos spanning from the birth to the present day, hospital records, and official translations of French marriage and birth certificates.
Despite this evidence, officials informed him that the materials were insufficient to prove paternity. He was invited to undergo a DNA test, which will cost £600 and add further delays to an already protracted process. The Home Office stated that additional evidence, such as the layout of a home, might be requested to add “credible authenticity” to applications.
Post-Brexit Entry Requirements
The new regulations, which came into force in February, require dual nationals to hold a British passport to enter the UK. Foreign nationals can enter freely using passports issued by their country of residence, but expats must obtain a certificate of entitlement for £589 if they do not have a British passport.
The father noted that during an official interview, officials asked detailed questions about his job, commute, and the layout of his house, but focused very little on his relationship with his daughter. He stated that he has never been told why his copious proofs of paternity were deemed inadequate, despite Home Office rules requiring officials to explain refusals.
Family Separation and Uncertainty
The situation has left the family unable to visit the father’s elderly and unwell father in the UK. They fear their daughter could be denied boarding if they attempt to travel. The father’s two older children already hold both French and British passports, but the third child, born while the family was living in Zimbabwe, only has a French passport.
When asked if the daughter could travel on her French passport, no one could answer the question. As a result, the family faces spending Christmas apart from the grandparents.
The case highlights the chaos caused by the new rules, with children being stranded abroad or arbitrarily denied passports granted to their siblings. The father eventually received confirmation that the application had been accepted after all, despite no new paperwork being sought since April. He suggested that press scrutiny may have prompted the realization that his domestic floorplan was “credibly authentic.”
The Home Office declined to comment on individual cases. The father submitted his account to The Guardian’s Consumer Champions team, which publishes letters from readers facing issues with public services or businesses.
Source: The Guardian
