Citizenship ceremonies

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Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.

The heart of the citizenship ceremony will involve prospective citizens making an oath/affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom after which a certificate will be presented.

Ceremonies tend to be on Wednesday afternoons subject to numbers of citizens, availability and location. The number of citizens on each ceremony may vary depending on the size of register office ceremony room.

Whilst you are welcome to bring guests and family and friends to your ceremony, accommodation is unfortunately restricted at the ceremonies and it is therefore necessary to place a restriction of two guests per applicant. Access to ceremonies will be by invitation only.

The standard group ceremony will normally comprise the following:

• Introduction and welcome
• Address by local dignitary
• Taking or affirming of the Oath and Pledge
• Official response
• Presentation of Citizenship certificate

The Home Office will send a copy of the Oath and Pledge to all applicants.

You will need to bring to the ceremony:

• Home Office approval letter;
• The invitation letter issued by Wiltshire Council;
• Some form of identity (this can be one of the following: passport, travel document, driving licence or medical card).

When an applicant receives their letter of approval from the Home Office they should contact the Citizenship Ceremonies Officer by telephone: 01225 718029 to obtain details of which ceremony they may attend. Applicants are required to attend a ceremony within three months of the approval being given otherwise they may have to make a new application.

There is no legal requirement for applicants under the age of 18 to attend a ceremony and take the Oath and Pledge. However, if children (under 18 years of age) wish to attend their parents' ceremony and take the Oath and Pledge then they may do so. Please let the Citizenship Ceremonies Officer know as soon as possible if any children will be attending your ceremony.

For enquiries regarding an application contact the Home Office Ceremonies Support Team: 0845 010 5200, or email: ceremony.enquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.For enquiries regarding attending a ceremony contact Wiltshire Council, Citizenship Ceremonies Officer: 01225 718029.

Last updated: 13 December 2010