Denization facts for kids

Denization was an old process in England, Ireland, and later the British Empire. It started in the 1200s. Through this process, a foreigner could become a "denizen" using a special document from the King or Queen.

A denizen gained some rights that regular British subjects had. For example, they could own land. However, a denizen was not a full subject or citizen. Their status was a bit like having permanent residency today. Becoming a denizen was cheaper and faster than becoming a full subject through a process called naturalisation. Naturalisation usually needed a special law passed by Parliament. Denization became less common after 1914 when naturalisation became much simpler.

What Was Denization?

Denization was a way for foreigners to get some special rights in Britain. It was like a middle step between being a complete foreigner and a full British subject. The King or Queen would grant denization using a special document called "letters patent." This was part of their royal power.

How Did Someone Become a Denizen?

To become a denizen, a foreigner had to pay a fee. They also had to promise loyalty to the King or Queen. For example, in 1431, a sailor named Gabriel Corbet became a denizen. He paid 40 shillings for this special privilege. He had served King Henry V and King Henry VI at sea.

What Rights Did Denizens Have?

Being a denizen allowed a foreigner to buy property. However, a denizen could not inherit property from someone else. A famous legal expert, Sir William Blackstone, described a denizen as being "a kind of middle state." They were not fully a foreigner, but also not a natural-born subject.

Denizens had some political rights, but not all. They could vote in elections. But they could not become a member of Parliament. They also could not hold important government jobs or military positions.

When Did Denization End?

The process of denization continued to exist for a long time. It was mentioned in laws passed in 1870 and 1914. However, it slowly became less common. The British Home Office, a government department, said the last denization was given in 1873. This was to a Dutch painter named Lawrence Alma-Tadema.

By 1933, the Home Office considered denization an outdated practice. When someone applied for it that year, they were told to apply for naturalisation instead. A big new law about British citizenship in 1948 did not mention denization at all. This meant the practice was no longer used.

Denization was also used in British colonies, like New South Wales in Australia. Just like in Britain, it eventually became outdated there too. The last known denization in New South Wales was in 1848.

The word "denizen" can also mean any person who lives in a country. This includes citizens and non-citizens who have the right to stay there. In the United States, Native Americans born on U.S. land were not always considered citizens. They were seen as members of their own nations. But in 1924, a law called the Indian Citizenship Act made all Native Americans born in the U.S. American citizens.

See also

• Metic
• Permanent resident