Citizenship Ceremony?

What is a Citizenship Ceremony?

A Citizenship Ceremony is intended to formally celebrate the significance of becoming a British Citizen and welcome them into the community.

The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 requires all successful applicants for naturalisation as British Citizens aged 18 or over to make a promise to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.

Applying for British Citizenship

You must first apply to the Home Office:

E-mail: ceremony.enquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

By writing to:

General Enquiries
INPD
PO BOX 306
Liverpool
L2 0QN

Tel: 0845 010 5200

Arranging the Citizenship Ceremony

When your application for British Citizenship has been approved you will be sent an invitation by the Home Office which explains the final process in becoming a British Citizen. This involves attending a Citizenship Ceremony, making your promise to the Queen and making the pledge to the United Kingdom after which you will receive your certificate.

You must check your personal details carefully in the letter to make sure everything is correct and read the guidance notes with it before ringing the Register Office named in your letter to arrange the ceremony.

Our contact details are:-

The Register Office
50 Shakespeare Street
Nottingham NG1 4FP

Tel: 0115 9475665

Email: office.register@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

When you call please have your invitation letter to hand as you will need some information from it. Also, please make sure you have read your letter as there are some choices you have to make about your ceremony.

You will be offered a place at the next available Group Citizenship Ceremony, free of charge. These are held every 2-3 weeks and usually take place at the Council House in Nottingham City centre.

You can opt for a private ceremony which takes place at the Register Office with just your guests. There is a charge for a private ceremony though, £100 plus £50 for each additional adult family member.

You need to make a promise to Her Majesty the Queen and you can choose whether to swear the oath of allegiance (you can bring your holy book with you if you want to) or to affirm the allegiance.

Group Ceremonies- What happens

• You will need to allow up to 2 hours for the ceremony, this includes the booking in process, the ceremony itself, photos and refreshments
• You will need your invitation letter and photo ID before you will be allowed into the Ceremony
• You can bring up to 2 guests with you who will be asked to sit in a separate area
• When you arrive we will check your documents and allocate you a seat

The ceremony will include;-

• Introduction and welcome by the Superintendent Registrar
• Address by Lord Mayor or local dignitary
• Making the Citizenship oath and pledge in English (a legal requirement) by reading from card provided in a group.
• Presentation of certificate and welcome pack by dignitary
• Commemorative photo (free of charge for collection after ceremony as gift)
• Closing speech
• Playing of the National anthem

After the ceremony you will be invited to stay for refreshments while your photos are processed.

Private Ceremonies - What happens

• Cost of £100 per applicant plus £50 per additional adult family member
• As above, though more informal ceremony by Superintendent Registrar but no dignitary in attendance
• You will still have to make your oath/ affirmation and pledge
• Instead of a free commemorative photo you will be given a gift along with your certificate and welcome pack
• The national anthem will be played
• There will be a flag and portrait of the queen on display and you will be invited to take photos after the ceremony
• Family applications will normally be offered ceremonies together, children do not have to swear affirm or pledge as their certificates will already be dated but can do so if they wish