Overview
As of 1st January 2004 The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum
Act 2002 includes a provision requiring all successful applicants
for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen, who are
aged 18 or over, to take an oath and pledge at a citizenship
ceremony, unless exempted by the Home Secretary.
The citizenship ceremony is intended to celebrate the
significance of becoming a British citizen and welcome the new
citizen into their community.
Any queries about your
British Citizenship Ceremony please contact:
Citizenship Co-ordination team 01670 622542
Who can attend a ceremony?
It is envisaged that new citizens attending a citizenship
ceremony will wish to celebrate the acquisition of citizenship with
their family and friends who will be welcome at the ceremony
subject to necessary restrictions imposed because of the capacity
of the available accommodation.
Do children and young people have to attend?
Although there is no legal requirement for persons under 18
years of age to attend the ceremony and take the oath and pledge,
it is the Government's intention to treat the ceremony as a family,
as well as a community, occasion seeing young people participating
with their parents at the ceremony.
Is their a time limit?
The ceremony must take place within 3 months of the applicant
being informed that his or her application has been successful.
How much will it cost?
The fee for the ceremony is £68 payable along with other fees to
the Home Office when applying for naturalisation or registration as
a British citizen.
What do I do next?
The Home Office will advise Northumberland County Council the
names of all prospective citizens, whereupon we will contact them
and advise on all aspects of the ceremony.
Where will my ceremony take place?
Generally, all ceremonies will take place at the Town Hall,
Morpeth, Northumberland, although, at an extra cost there are
provisions which allow for ceremonies to take place at other
venues.
Can I have a private ceremony?
There are occasions where candidates for British Citizenship
need to attend a ceremony before the next scheduled ceremony
date. The Citizenship Team will try to accommodate
you by arranging a ceremony at the Register Office. This will
be at an additional cost to yourself and can be arranged by
contacting the Citizenship Co-ordination team 01670
622542
Applying for Citizenship?
For anyone interested in applying for or questions about British
Citizenship should contact the Home Office directly as
follows:-
Telephone the nationality contact centre on 0845 010
5200
Home Office, Managed Migration, Nationality
Group, PO Box 306, Liverpool. L2 0QN
Home Office website. http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/
