Finding a referee

Russianbluecats · 2025-09-03T20:00:02+02:00

Seeking advice on finding a British referee for citizenship by descent in Scotland. Tips and options for those in Georgia planning to travel.

Russianbluecats New member

Member since 03 September 2025

RussianbluecatsNew member03 September 2025 18:00:02

Hi, How does one locate a referee?聽 I do not know anyone with a British Passport which could act as my referee for "Citizenship by descent" for Scotland.聽 I had a friend - Scottish but he just gave up his British passport.聽 The requirement indicates one must have a British passport. I have all the requirements for my application / registration as a citizenship except this one document.聽 I feel awkward when seeking this option from another source.. Any advice?聽 I live in Georgia. I have a distant cousin in Scotland but unable to receive a response and have not spoken with her in many years.聽 My mother and grandparents were born in Scotland and I am travelling there within the month (September) and travel all over the country, to see where they were born and lived. My grandfather was a golf pro in North Berwick and has many honors in Scotland though he moved to the US in the early 1900's seeking work. (was a golf pro in Georgia.) I hope to reach out to British shops but looking for an option to fulfill this one requirement: referee with a British passport document.. Any advice would be appreciated.聽 thanks!

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert04 September 2025 04:25:45

12441

@Russianbluecats

Can you ask at your nearest British embassy what they would suggest?

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

Member since 15 September 2015

CynicUK/Netherlands Expert04 September 2025 07:02:10

7971

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

Not easy in the circumstances you describe; particularly because the first (key) requirement is that the referee must have known you for > 3 years.聽 However, if you read the guidance document (), it does say on page 17, 3rd bullet point "If you are or the child is living abroad and do not know a British citizen who is qualified to act as one of your referees, a Commonwealth citizen or citizen of the country in which you are residing may complete and sign the form, provided they have professional standing in that country, has known you for 3 years and the Consul considers their signature to be acceptable." which would appear to give you a way around this.聽 So, contact your nearest British Consul in the USA, this will take you to the UK Gov website section which lists of all of them, and ask them who would be acceptable to them.

I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

I hope this helps.

Cynic

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