City of Westminster

Citizenship ceremonies

British Citizenship Ceremonies – a short history

The final step on the journey to becoming a British Citizen, for most people, is to swear or affirm an Oath of Allegiance to her Majesty the Queen at a citizenship ceremony.

In 2003 Her Majesty’s Government introduced the requirement that all persons over 18 years of age applying for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.

The ceremonies are a time for celebration and provide an opportunity to officially welcome new citizens as full members of their local community.

Right: The Lord Mayor of Westminster,
Councillor Susie Burbridge

 

The City of Westminster hosted its first British Citizenship ceremony for nine people on 7th April 2004. Since that date over 17,000 people, from more than 170 different nations, have become British Citizens at a ceremony in Westminster.

Other countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States of America hold similar citizenship ceremonies.

In December 2006 Westminster Register Office introduced the Nationality Checking Service (NCS) for those embarking on the road to attaining citizenship. The NCS can assist you to lodge your application for British Citizenship.

Citizenship ceremony Banqueting House

Right: A ceremony at Banqueting House

 

 

"Testimonial"
We left Australia almost six years ago, and today, our family became British citizens in Westminster Council Chambers.

Westminster Register Office has supported us in some of our most important life events: Patricia Gordon registered the births of our two children; Kate Taylor and Anne Regis married us in the Yellow Room and Sarah Moran lead the ceremony to grant our family British Citizenship.

We remember Patricia’s office wallpapered with photos and thank you notes from happily wed couples, Anne and Kate troubleshooting another bride’s broken wedding gown zipper, and Sarah’s warm guidance.

Thank you Westminster Council for helping us with such good humour and heart!
Paul and Claudia

 

The citizenship ceremony

We hope that the ceremonies are enjoyable and meaningful, and that they will encourage new citizens to play an active part in their local community.

Public ceremonies are held at the Westminster Register Office every Monday and Wednesday. The ceremonies start at 4.30pm on Mondays and at 10.30am on Wednesdays. You are required to arrive half an hour before the ceremony for a pre-ceremony registration. You need to be prompt for registration as, if you arrive late, you cannot be admitted to the ceremony and will have to arrange another date. Attendance at a group ceremony is free of charge, as you have already paid for the ceremony in your fee to the Home Office.

A private citizenship ceremony can be arranged for a fee of £95. This is a flat rate for a single person or family group. For those wishing to have a private ceremony, we can accommodate up to 70 guests. To arrange a private ceremony please contact us on 0207 641 1161.

We hope that the citizenship ceremony is an enjoyable yet formal occasion, so we suggest you may wish to dress accordingly (e.g. a jacket and tie for men and daywear for ladies).

"Testimonial"
I am writing to say how much I and my guests appreciated the Naturalisation Ceremony at The Old Marylebone Town Hall on Wednesday 25 May 2011.
We were very impressed by Westminster's organisation of the occasion and enjoyed very much the ceremony itself.
I thought the words spoken were just right for this important moment in my life and the Deputy Mayor conducted the ceremony  with dignity and warmth. And Sarah helped to create a very positive and supportive atmosphere throughout.
I felt very proud to become British in this way. I and my guests would like to thank you all for making this possible.
Raimundo

Who attends the ceremony?

Adults and children aged over 18 acquiring British Citizenship must attend a ceremony.

Children under the age of 18 who have acquired citizenship do not have to attend a ceremony, but are encouraged to do so. If they are not present, their parents or guardians will receive the certificate on their behalf. If they do attend, they are not required to swear or affirm the oath, but they may do so if they wish.

We request that you bring an adult carer for your child/children as you will be required to sit alongside other citizens to make your oath and pledge.

We can accommodate a maximum of two guests per person. We encourage you to bring guests to celebrate and share your special moment with you.

"Testimonal"
I wanted to drop you a short note of thanks - to you and your colleagues at Marylebone Town Hall - for the brilliant and helpful  manner in which you conducted the UK Citizenship Ceremony (as well as advice and support leading up to it). Also, on behalf of my wife Sophie and I together, much appreciation for the way in which you all made our wedding earlier this year (also at Marylebone Town Hall) a joyful and special occasion.
In both instances, all of the people that we interacted with at Marylebone Town Hall were professional, efficient and helpful, as well as personally warm (almost as if sharing in the joy of the occasions with us). This is not always the case when going through administrative processes, and so wanted to write personally to thank you for it.

What happens at the citizenship ceremony?

Firstly, all applicants must register with us. For this you will need to bring your Home Office invitation letter, a form of photographic identification such as a passport or driving licence and our confirmation letter.

Failure to produce your Home Office invitation letter and your photographic identification will result in your ceremony being rebooked for a later date. If you misplace your letter from the Home Office you must contact them and they will issue another letter at their discretion.

Once you have been registered, the Registrar will give you a short briefing while your guests enjoy refreshments in the waiting area. The briefing ensures that all prospective citizens know what will happen during the ceremony.

The ceremony is opened with an address by the Lord Mayor (or Deputy Lord Mayor) of Westminster. Then, you and all the other new citizens will be asked to either swear or affirm an oath of allegiance to the Queen, by repeating the words of the Oath after the registrar conducting the ceremony. You will also repeat the words of the Pledge of Commitment to the United Kingdom.

You will then be presented with your citizenship certificate and a commemorative gift from Westminster City Council.

A photographer will take a photograph of you being presented with your certificate by the Lord Mayor (or deputy Lord Mayor). Please ask for details of photograph prices when you book your ceremony.

At the end of the presentation, all citizens and guests are invited to stand and sing the National Anthem.

"Testimonial"
We were so pleased that Mauricio's citizenship ceremony could take place at the Westminster Registry Office on 12th September, 2011. The ceremony was beautifully managed by the staff there, and their courtesy and genuine enthusiasm for their job palpable. Starting from the moment you enter the Registry and the gentleness of Sarah Moran, the registrar, we felt welcome. This is no small achievement when one considers that such ceremonies are happening every week. There was no sense that this event was treated as a routine task, and both Mauricio and I were deeply moved by it.
There was a sense of completing a circle for us, since our Civil Partnership ceremony took place in the same building in August, 2007. We were struck by the fact that the same care and genuine interest had been the hallmark of that occasion also. Then our contact person and registrar was Anne Regis, whose kindness and care knew no bounds.
We warmly thank all those staff at the Westminster Registry who made these two occasions both personal and memorable. 
Dr Graham Elliott and Mauricio Franco Ospina

 

What is the difference between swearing and affirming the Oath ?

If you decide to swear the Oath you will be swearing to God. An Affirmation of the Oath does not have any religious context.

The declaration

Swearing:

“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.”

Affirming:

“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.”

Both those who are swearing or affirming will then make the pledge of commitment.

“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.”

Please note: both the Oath and the Pledge are repeated by the group after the Superintendent Registrar, so you do not have to memorise anything.

 

"Testimonial"
I came to the UK for one week seven years ago. It proved to be a rather long week, which culminated in my having become a citizen recently.
The Westminster Register Office provided an excellent service, and made the whole process, from checking and submitting the application to attending the Citizenship ceremony, a very pleasant experience.
The Citizenship ceremony was impeccable. It was both solemn and friendly, and I will remember it fondly for many years to come. Sarah Moran, Nkechi Oba and Nichola McKim did a great job of putting the new citizens at ease, while reminding us all of the importance and significance of our commitment to the United Kingdom.
I did not need to become a British citizen. As a European national I already enjoyed all rights, with the exception of the most important one: the right to vote for a general election. Becoming a citizen now enables me to fully take part in the political process, but above all it formalises the process of assimilation into British society that unwittingly started seven years ago. So well done Westminster Register Office for making it a memorable moment.
John de Campos Cruz

 

Frequently asked questions

I received my invitation letter from the Home Office last week and I still haven’t heard from the council. What should I do?

Once you have received your invitation letter, you need to contact us to book a date to attend your ceremony (the Home Office does not forward your personal contact details to us). You must ensure you have your ceremony within three months of the date of the invitation letter from the Home Office.

Occasionally, a new citizen may receive their invitation letter before we receive their certificate from the Home Office. If we have not received your certificate by the time you contact us, we will be unable to book a ceremony. However, we usually find that the certificate arrives shortly afterwards so you will then be able to arrange a date for your ceremony.

Can I reschedule my ceremony?

You are legally required to have your ceremony within three months of the date of your Home Office invitation letter.

Please be aware that if you wish to reschedule the ceremony we may not be able to offer you your first choice of date but we will endeavour to find a date that is suitable for you. 

We therefore request that you give us as much notice as possible.

Can I have my ceremony in another borough other than Westminster?

If you would like to have your ceremony in another Local Authority you will need to contact the Home Office. They will then contact us and instruct us to return the certificate to them so they can forward it to your requested Local Authority.

Contact us

Tel: 020 7641 1161

Fax: 020 7641 1246

registeroffice@westminster.gov.uk

Westminster Register Office

Marylebone Road

London NW1 5PT

Opening hours: 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

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