<P> Eligible descendants from the Electress Sophia of Hanover may hold British Overseas citizenship based on their status as British subjects before 1949 . Where such a person acquired a right of abode in the UK before 1983, it is possible for British citizenship to have been acquired . See also History of British nationality law and Sophia Naturalization Act 1705 . </P> <P> All categories of British nationality can be renounced by a declaration made to the Home Secretary . A person ceases to be a British national on the date the Home Secretary registers the declaration of renunciation . If a declaration is registered in the expectation of acquiring another citizenship but one is not acquired within six months of the registration, it does not take effect and the person remains a British national . </P> <P> Renunciations made to other authorities (such as the general renunciation made as part of the US naturalisation ceremony) are not recognised by the UK . The forms must be sent through the UK Border Agency's citizenship renunciation process . There are provisions for the resumption of British citizenship or British overseas territories citizenship renounced for the purpose of gaining or retaining another citizenship . This can generally only be done once as a matter of entitlement . Further opportunities to resume British citizenship are discretionary . </P> <P> British subjects, British Overseas citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) cannot resume their British nationality after renunciation . </P>

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