Citizenship ceremonies
Each year we welcome many new British Citizens into our community.
The following information is a guide on how to apply for British Citizenship and Citizenship Ceremonies. It tells you what you have to do to get your citizenship. Please remember that it is the Home Office and not North Ayrshire Council who will deal with your application. They make the decision on whether or not to grant British Citizenship to you.
For detailed information about applying for citizenship please visit the Home Office website
or telephone Home Office Information line on 0845 0105200.
A guide to applying for British citizenship
Stage 1: Life in the UK test
Before you can apply to become a British citizen, you must either:
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take the Life in the UK Test if you are able to speak English fluently. To do this you must attend at an approved Test Centre. You can find your nearest centre by visiting the Life in the UK Test website or telephone 0800 0154245
or
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attend English for Speakers of Other Languages -ESOL classes (Word 1.06Mb) which are run by North Ayrshire Council.
For more information contact Orsi Dunn on 0800 180 4134. If you are not sure about speaking English on the phone, send an e-mail to odunn@north-ayrshire.gov.uk leaving your name, address, phone number and the language you speak.
There may be exceptional cases where the Home Office agrees to waive the Life in the UK test or requirement to attend language classes. This will normally apply to applicants who are aged 65 years or over. For further information please contact the Home Office on 0845 0105200
Stage 2: Applying for British citizenship
After the successful completion of the test or course, you will receive a certificate, which will enable you to proceed to the next stage of your application.
You will need to obtain an application form which can downloaded from the Home Office website. Alternatively you can telephone the Home Office Helpline on 0845 0105200 and request that one. You will need to complete this form and send it together with the
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correct fee and
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any other related documents that the Home Office may require, to:
Home Office
IND
Integrated casework directorate (Nationality)
Casework support unit
PO Box 12
Liverpool
L69 2UX
A list of current fees is available from the Home Office.
The application process can take up to six months to complete. The more accurately you complete the form the sooner the Home Office is likely to approve your application. The Home Office has details on current waiting times.
Stage 3: Your citizenship ceremony
On approval you will receive an invitation letter from the Home Office to attend a Citizenship Ceremony.
The Home Office will expect you to have your ceremony within 3 months from the date of receiving your notification. If you do not think you will be able to attend a ceremony within this period, you may apply to the Home Office for an extension.
During the ceremony each citizen is required to swear or affirm an oath of allegiance to the Crown. Also make a pledge to uphold the values and laws of the UK. We aim to make these ceremonies enjoyable and meaningful events We give citizens an opportunity to celebrate the event rather than just complete a official process.
During the ceremony you will be presented with a welcome pack, this contains
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your Citizenship Certificate,
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an list of local ethnic groups and and
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application form to join the Register of Electors.
The ceremony will be normally conducted by a registrar or assistant registrar.
We will:
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Our, citizenship ceremonies are held in the Irvine Registration Office. Contact staff at the office at 106 Bridgegate House Irvine KA12 8BD 01294 324988 for further information. Alternatively, you can choose to have your ceremony at another approved venue. There will be additional costs for this.
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arrange for citizenship ceremonies to be conducted with frequently so that applicants in their area can have a ceremony within the three month period
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provide additional facilities or make additional arrangements, (a charge may be made).
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give you a commemorative gift to mark this special occasion.
Citizenship ceremonies are not open to the public. You can bring friends and family to the ceremony.
We encourage group citizenship ceremonies where more than one person participates. At these ceremonies you can bring up to four guests with you. You can also have a private citizenship ceremony and invite more guests. Contact us for details.
On approval of your British citizenship you will be notified of who to contact so that arrangements for your ceremony can be made.