Domiciled in the United Kingdom
Under UK law, you normally acquire a ‘domicile of origin' from your father when you are born.
You would not automatically be domiciled in the country in which you were born. For example, if you were born in Germany while your father (who was himself of UK domicile) was working there, you would have a 'domicile of origin' in the UK.
If you are of foreign domicile, but wish to acquire UK domicile, you can do so if you are over 16 years of age, by acquiring a ‘domicile of choice' in the UK.
This involves leaving the country where you were originally domiciled, with the intention to live, for the rest of your life, in the United Kingdom.
Simply living in here is not, of itself, sufficient to acquire the UK as your domicile of choice.
There is no one set method or procedure for establishing a domicile of choice.
You would need to demonstrate your intention of permanently settling in the UK by various means, for example (these are examples only, and the list is not exhaustive):
- Having a permanent job in the UK
- Owning a property in the UK
- Not owning a property abroad
- Marrying a UK national (see note below)
- Having children born in the UK
- Spending most of your time in the UK
- Stating in your will that it is your intention to be buried in the UK
Note:
Prior to 1 January 1974, a woman domiciled in another country who married a UK national would automatically acquire her husband's UK domicile, but this automatic acquisition is no longer the case.
