Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog discover what to expect at the British citizenship ceremony which is the final step that must be completed by successful British citizenship applicants. During the ceremony you will make an oath of allegiance (or affirmation) and receive your naturalisation certificate. Learn about the ceremony process, requirements, and the significance of this important event in your journey to becoming a British citizen.
Benefits of becoming a British citizen
After attending your British citizenship ceremony you will be recognised as a British citizen and will enjoy the many benefits that comes with this:
- Right to live in the UK permanently.
As your status will be ‘permanently settled’ you are free of any restrictions, such as time spent abroad and there is also no need to apply for any more visas to stay in the UK.
- Access to free medical care.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system which means citizens can access free medical care.
- Right to work and study.
There are no restrictions on gaining permission to work or study through applying for any more UK visas. You may freely do both as a British citizen.
- Right to vote.
The ability to partake in democratic UK elections (whether that be local, national or referendums) is open to all British citizens. Additionally, you may put yourself forward to be a candidate in an election.
Gaining a British passport allows citizens to travel to around 190 countries without a visa.
- Right to claim state benefits.
Citizens can freely claim state benefits which include anything from Child Benefit and a Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to a UK State Pension. For more information on other state benefits that you can claim as a British citizen follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/income-tax/taxfree-and-taxable-state-benefits.
Citizenship Ceremony Process
- Booking process:
Step 1: Invitation Letter Receival
If your application for British citizenship is successful, you will be sent an invitation letter from the Home Office which must be used to book your British citizenship ceremony within 3 months from the date of the letter.
You must attend a citizenship ceremony is you are over 18 years old and living in the UK. Children under 18 years old are not required to attend but instead are encouraged to.
You may choose if you want to attend a citizenship ceremony if you are becoming a British citizen under the Windrush scheme.
Step 2: Local Authority
The invitation letter will include your local authority’s telephone number which you must use to book your British citizenship ceremony. Alternatively, to find your local authority you can put your postcode in here: Organise your citizenship ceremony with your council – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Step 3: Group or Private Ceremony
During the telephone call to book the ceremony you will choose to book either a group or private ceremony. The price of the group ceremony will be included in your original British citizenship application fee.
However, if you wish to have a private ceremony the cost depends on your local authority, but on average it will be over £100.
- Attending Process:
- When attending your British citizenship ceremony either you will swear an oath of allegiance (or an affirmation if you do not want to swear by God) to the Crown and make a pledge to uphold the rights, values, and laws of the UK.
Oath of allegiance
“I, (name), swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law.”
Affirmation of allegiance
“I (name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British Citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.”
Pledge
“I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.”
- You will be given a certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack.
- At the end of the ceremony, you will usually sing the national anthem.
- Depending on your local authority professional photographs may be taken which are available to purchase.
What to bring?
- Your invitation letter from the Home Office or an email version if you have only received an email from the Home Office.
- Your passport or photo ID, such as a driving license.
How many guests can attend?
Group Ceremony: You may bring up to 2 guests.
Private Ceremony: You may bring up to 8 guests.
Note that young children should be accompanied by adults.
After the British Citizenship Ceremony
The citizenship certificate given to you during the ceremony is needed when applying for your British passport and is also legal evidence of your British citizenship.
Please note that your citizenship certificate must not be personally laminated otherwise it will not be accepted as evidence of citizenship when applying for a British passport.
FAQs
What happens if I am abroad?
You can ask the embassy/consulate in the country you are living in if you can have the ceremony there. But please note that if you applied for citizenship in the UK, you cannot have your ceremony abroad.
Are there any exemptions to attending a citizenship ceremony?
Yes. You are exempted from attending a citizenship ceremony if you are registering to become one of the following:
1- British Overseas Territories citizen
2- British overseas citizen
3- British subject
How long do group ceremonies normally last? – group ceremonies last around 30 minutes.
Summary
The British citizenship ceremony is the last step on the journey to becoming a British citizen and enjoying the many benefits that come with this. Although the booking and attending process may be simple, applying for a British passport following the ceremony can be tricky and even the smallest mistake on an application may lead to refusal or delay.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for legal assistance. We will review your application for British citizenship and help you apply for your first British passport.
