Becoming a British Citizen

For many individuals and families, becoming a British citizen is the realisation of a dream. In some instances, it marks the beginning of a new life. The citizenship ceremony is intended to celebrate the significance of becoming a British citizen and welcome the new citizen into his or her community. It also confers rights and responsibilities to the new citizen and pinpoints a specific time of entry into the British family.

Unless exempted by the Home Secretary, The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 includes provisions that require all applicants, aged 18 or over, who wish naturalisation or registration as a British citizen, to take a citizenship oath and pledge in the presence of a Registrar. Applicants under the age of 18 do not require to attend a ceremony or take the oath and pledge but may do so if desired.

Who do I contact to find out how to become a British Citizen?

The Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Branch in Liverpool deal with all matters relating to applications and qualification for British citizenship.

With effect from 1st November 2005 any person making application will need to provide evidence that they not only speak the English language but also they can demonstrate knowledge of life in the United Kingdom.

You may contact the Home office directly by post, telephone or website:

Postal applications should be forwarded to:
Home Office
Managed Migration
Nationality Group
Citizenship Ceremonies Support Team
PO Box 306
3rd Floor, India Buildings
Water Street
LIVERPOOL
L2 0QN
Telephone Enquiries: 0845 010 5200
Website enquiries can be made through the following web page: www.uknationality.gov.uk/content/british_citizenship
Information on English test requirements can be found through the following web address: www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk

The Home Office will advise you whether your application has been successful. Fees are set by, and payable to, the Home Office.

If your application for Citizenship has been successful

You will receive a citizenship invitation letter from the Home Office.
You should thereafter contact the Registration Office specified on the letter within 14 days.
The Registrar will ask you to confirm the 'Poll Number' and the 'Certificate Cover Note ' shown on the invitation letter.
The Registrar will require to see the invitation letter before the Citizenship Ceremony can be arranged.
Arrange a date and time for your Citizenship Ceremony with the Registrar (The ceremony must take place within 3 (three) months from the date entered on the invitation letter).
The final step of becoming a British citizen is to attend a Citizenship Ceremony.
You will receive your Certificate of Naturalisation or Registration directly after the ceremony.

Where and when will the Ceremony take place?

The ceremony will normally take place within the Registration office during normal working hours.
If you prefer a different venue, this can be arranged with the Registrar. However, an extra fee will be applied by the Council.
Where several applications have been received at once, some ceremonies may be group ceremonies. If you do not wish to be part of a group ceremony, you will need to discuss this with the Registrar.

Attendance at Ceremonies

All prospective citizens aged 18 or over are expected to attend a ceremony.
Prospective citizens under the age of 18 do not require to attend a ceremony or take the oath and pledge. However, if they wish to attend a ceremony, or be present at their parents' ceremony, they are welcome to do so. Where they choose not to attend the ceremony personally, another member of the family may collect the certificate on his or her behalf.
Guests may be invited to attend the ceremony. Please discuss this with the Registrar.

What will happen during the Ceremony?

The Registrar will conduct the ceremony.
The Queen's representative in Clackmannanshire 'The Lord Lieutenant' will normally be present.
During the ceremony, each prospective citizen must either swear or affirm an oath of allegiance to the Queen and make a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. This must be done in the English language.
To swear an oath means to swear by Almighty God.
To affirm an oath is suitable for those who are not religious or who do not want to swear by Almighty God.
Holy books can be brought to the ceremony if so desired.
Following the oath or affirmation and pledge, you will be presented with your Certificate of Registration or Naturalisation.
Photographs can be taken after the ceremony has been completed.

I require more information

For further information on becoming a British citizen please refer to the Home Office British Citizenship website: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

You can also refer the Home Office's website Contact page: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/contact

Knowledge of Life in the UK

The Government believes strongly that those who wish to settle in the UK should be encouraged to play a full part in their wider community. We have had tests of language and of UK life for citizenship applicants since November 2005 and we now want to include those people who intend staying permanently in the UK in these arrangements.

This will encourage people to learn English and to find out about our structures, laws, democratic processes and traditions at the earliest opportunity, so that they can better realise their ambitions here and become full and active citizens earlier. Effective integration of those who wish to adopt the UK as their home - including embracing a common language and an understanding of life in the UK - is important to continued good race relations and community cohesion and is a central part of the Governments managed migration policy which benefits our society and economy.

Therefore all adults who apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) on or after 2 April 2007 will need to demonstrate knowledge of language and of "life in the UK" in addition to meeting the usual requirements for settlement.

For more information, you can visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk.