Citizenship

Citizenship ceremonies

Complete the citizenship questionnaire

People attaining British citizenship are now required to attend a Citizenship ceremony. This is intended to give added significance to the acquisition of citizenship.

Once an application to the Home Office for British citizenship has been approved, the applicant will receive a notification letter from the Home Office advising them to contact us to arrange attendance at a ceremony. The ceremony must take place within three months of an application being approved.

A Group Citizenship ceremony provides an occasion for new Citizens to celebrate the event with their family and friends and for those who live in the City of Westminster the ceremonies take place in The Old Marylebone Town Hall, Westminster Council House, Marylebone Road on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Should you prefer to have an individual citizenship ceremony this can also be arranged. There is a fee of £80 payable for an individual ceremony. Further details can be obtained by telephoning the register office on 020 7641 1161.

During the ceremony each new Citizen either swears an oath of allegiance or makes an affirmation of allegiance to the Queen and also makes a pledge of commitment to the United Kingdom. It is at this point that citizenship is conferred. The National Anthem will be played and each new British citizen will be then be presented with their Citizenship Certificate by the Lord Mayor or Deputy Lord Mayor of Westminster.

"Please note that changes to the way people will become British citizens currently under discussion, which will involve earned (or active) citizenship, will not be introduced until the late 2010. Until then existing arrangements for naturalisation will continue."