British Citizenship Application Fee: Full Cost Breakdown

Section A: British Citizenship Application Fee

The British citizenship application fee is set through the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations and updated in the Home Office immigration and nationality fees tables. Separate figures apply to adult naturalisation, adult registration and child registration, with a ceremony charge added for adults and for children who turn 18 during the process. Increases are usually implemented in April or October, so anyone delaying for several months risks facing a higher fee than they first expected.

1. British Citizenship Application Fees 2026

For adults applying to naturalise as British citizens on form AN, the Home Office nationality fee is £1,605. On top of that, every adult who is approved pays a £130 citizenship ceremony fee, which brings the total adult charge to £1,735. Where an adult is registering as a British citizen under a specific registration route, the nationality fee is £1,446. For most children under 18 registering as British citizens, the fee is £1,214.

For most adults, the actual British citizenship application fee is the full £1,735, which is both the £1,605 nationality application fee and the £130 ceremony fee. This total fee is payable at the point of submission. The ceremony element is not a later add-on, it forms part of the total payable when the application is made.

For most children under 18, the payable figure is £1,214. A separate ceremony fee only arises if the child reaches 18 before decision and is then required to attend a ceremony. Each application is charged individually.

There is no family rate and no group discount for parents or children applying together.

These figures sit on top of earlier costs in the immigration journey. In most cases, the adult will already have paid visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge to reach indefinite leave to remain or settled status. The British citizenship application fee is effectively the final layer in that stack. Treating it as money genuinely at risk is a realistic way to approach the decision to apply.

2. What the British citizenship application fee covers

The nationality application fee pays for Home Office casework on the citizenship file. That work includes verifying identity, checking immigration history, assessing residence and absences, reviewing good character and confirming that the status requirement is met. If the application is approved, the fee also covers producing the certificate of naturalisation or registration.

The ceremony fee reflects the cost of providing ceremonies through local authorities. It is collected as part of the overall charge for adults and passed on in part to councils that deliver group or individual ceremonies. For children, that element is only due where the law requires a ceremony, usually once they have turned 18.

The British citizenship application fee does not cover the Life in the UK test, English language testing, translations, legalisation of overseas documents or the cost of obtaining replacement evidence such as older passports, BRPs or tax records. It does not cover any legal advice or representation. Those items sit outside the Home Office fee structure and will not be refunded if the case fails.

Once an application is accepted as valid and casework has started, the handling and processing element of the fee is retained regardless of outcome. Only limited situations such as duplicate payments, invalid applications or clear administrative error lead to any refund. For adults, the ceremony element is usually refunded if the application is refused before the ceremony stage, but the core nationality fee is not.

3. Fee increases and upward trend

British citizenship fees have moved steadily upwards over the last decade. The naturalisation charge, including the ceremony cost, is now £1,735. That level bears little resemblance to the underlying administrative cost of processing an application. The difference is used to cross-subsidise wider Home Office activity.

For applicants, the effect is simple. Waiting to apply can mean paying more for the same outcome, even where nothing in their own circumstances improves in the meantime. It is common for people to base their planning on what a friend or family member paid in a previous year, only to discover that the current British citizenship application fee is higher. Before committing, applicants should always check the latest immigration and nationality fees table on GOV.UK and base their budget on those figures rather than on historic experience.

Section B: Additional Costs for British Citizenship

The British citizenship application fee is only part of the financial commitment. Other costs sit around the process and they vary depending on personal circumstances. These additional charges are often overlooked during early planning yet they shape what applicants will actually spend by the time the application is approved.

1. Citizenship ceremony costs

All adults approved for British citizenship need to attend a ceremony. The £130 ceremony fee is included within the £1,735 total that is paid at submission for adult applications. That fee contributes to the cost of delivering ceremonies through local authorities.

Some councils offer private or fast-track ceremonies for an extra fee. These are optional but attractive in situations where an applicant needs a particular date or prefers a smaller setting. The extra charge is set locally and can add a significant amount once combined with the core ceremony element. Applicants planning a private ceremony should check the local authority’s price list in advance because these rates vary.

The ceremony has to take place within three months of approval unless there is a good reason for delay. Missing the deadline or declining to attend has serious financial consequences because the certificate will not be issued and a fresh application with a new full fee will be required.

2. Document and translation costs

Supporting documents play a central role in citizenship applications. Where evidence is not in English or Welsh, certified translations are required. Market rates vary but common price points for straightforward documents sit between £30 and £75 per page. Fees increase for urgent work or where the document is lengthy or technical.

Some overseas documents also need legalisation. Apostilles, consular legalisation and courier charges can push costs higher, especially if several documents need to be verified. Even UK-issued evidence can attract costs where applicants need replacement copies of older records or proof from former employers or HMRC.

Document-gathering delays also carry financial implications. Applicants sometimes pay the fee and submit the form hoping to provide missing documents later. When the Home Office cannot rely on the evidence or the information conflicts with its own records, the application is likely to be refused and the handling element of the fee will not be returned.

3. Legal and advisory fees

Many applicants prepare their own citizenship applications, but those with past overstays, criminal matters, financial issues or unclear residence periods often benefit from specialist advice before they commit the fee. Regulated advisers review eligibility, assess risks, identify evidential gaps and prepare explanations where discretion is needed.

Typical professional fees sit between £500 and £1,500 for a straightforward application, with higher costs for complex cases. Some applicants choose a focused eligibility review, others want full representation. The right option depends on the individual case and their risk tolerance.

Using unregulated advisers is risky. Errors made at this stage can become difficult to correct and often lead to refusals that trigger a second full fee. Before instructing anyone, applicants should confirm that the adviser is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and that they have nationality experience rather than a general immigration background.

Section C: Refunds, Exemptions & Waivers

The British citizenship application fee is one of the least flexible parts of the process. Once the Home Office has started work on the application, the handling and processing element is not returned even if the case is refused or withdrawn. Applicants who are unclear on eligibility before paying often discover too late that the fee has been lost. Understanding where refunds are possible, and where they are not, is central to planning.

1. Refund policy

How much, if anything, is refunded depends on the stage the application has reached. Once the Home Office accepts the application as valid and begins casework activity, the handling part of the fee is retained regardless of outcome. The nationality fee is not returned where a refusal is based on eligibility, residence or good character.

There are only limited situations where a refund can apply:

• Where the same fee has been paid twice
• Where the application is rejected as invalid because the full fee or biometrics were not provided
• Where the Home Office accepts that an administrative error has been made
• Where the ceremony fee has already been collected but the application is refused before the ceremony can take place

Invalid applications usually lead to a refund minus an administration charge. Valid applications that are refused do not. This is where applicants are most exposed. Submitting on the basis of guesswork, or hoping the Home Office will overlook gaps in evidence, often results in both a refusal and a financial loss. Once casework has begun, the Home Office will not return the nationality fee simply because the applicant decides to withdraw.

2. Fee waivers or concessions

Fee waivers for British citizenship are rare and are aimed almost entirely at children under 18. They recognise the importance of citizenship to a child’s identity and stability and the fact that children are not responsible for their own financial position.

There are two main categories where a fee waiver can apply:

a. Children in local authority care

b. Children under 18 whose circumstances mean the fee cannot reasonably be afforded

Applications need supporting evidence that shows why payment would be unreasonable in the child’s situation. This typically includes details of income, essential living costs and the position of the person or authority responsible for the child. The Home Office assesses these cases carefully and waivers are granted only where the evidence supports it.

A small number of cases involve human rights arguments, usually relating to the impact on a child’s private or family life if they were unable to secure British citizenship. These cases are assessed individually and generally involve a detailed explanation supported by evidence.

Adults cannot rely on waivers except in very rare situations linked to human rights considerations. The Home Office expects adults to pay the full fee. Attempts to raise affordability arguments without a legal basis for concession will not succeed and the fee will still have been paid.

3. Reapplications & rejections

A refused citizenship application does not come with a right of appeal. The main administrative remedy is a reconsideration request, which is available where the applicant believes the refusal was based on a factual or legal error. Reconsideration requests attract a separate fee, and while that fee is usually returned if the Home Office accepts the decision was wrong, it is retained if the refusal is upheld.

Where an applicant believes the Home Office acted unlawfully, the remaining route is judicial review. That is a specialist process and involves its own costs and risks. It also does not secure a positive outcome by default because the court is asked to review the decision-making process, not remake the decision itself.

Any new application after refusal carries a fresh full fee. Applicants who reapply immediately without addressing the original issues usually face a repeat refusal and a second financial loss. The better approach is to fix the weaknesses identified in the refusal, gather stronger evidence or take advice before trying again.

Section D: Application Tips for Applicants

The British citizenship application fee is high and the refund rules are strict. Applicants who focus only on the fee figure often overlook the points that decide whether that fee is at risk. A realistic budget, the right documents and a clear understanding of the legal requirements are what protect applicants from paying twice.

1. Planning your budget

The total spend for many applicants sits well above the headline Home Office fee. Adults applying by naturalisation pay £1,735 at submission. Children registering as British citizens pay £1,214. These amounts do not include the Life in the UK test, English language testing where required, translations, legalisation of overseas documents or optional UKVCAS services.

Applicants should factor in:

a. The Life in the UK test (£50)

b. The English language test where required (commonly £150 to £250 depending on provider)

c. Translation fees where evidence is not in English or Welsh

d. Legalisation fees for overseas documents

e. Optional UKVCAS appointment charges or document-handling services

f. Professional advice

Once these costs are added, the realistic budget for many adult applicants moves towards £1,900 to £2,500. Families applying for more than one person often underestimate the total because every applicant pays the full fee and there is no family rate. It is also important to check the current fees table before applying because increases can take effect with little notice.

2. Avoiding delays or wasted fees

The most common financial risk comes from applying before eligibility is clear. The Home Office will assess lawful residence, immigration history, absences, good character, status and test requirements. When any of these areas contain gaps or errors, the case is exposed to refusal and the handling element of the fee is not returned.

Before paying the fee, applicants should check:

a. That they hold indefinite leave to remain, settled status or another status that supports naturalisation

b. That they meet the residence requirement with absences recorded accurately

c. That they were present in the UK on the historic qualifying date

d. That the Life in the UK and English language tests are passed and certificates are available

e. That their documents are scanned clearly and translated where required

f. That there are no unresolved issues in the good character assessment such as tax discrepancies, undeclared cautions or past overstays

The Home Office will compare the information provided with its own records and with external data where relevant. A case that contains inconsistencies or missing evidence is likely to be refused even if the underlying eligibility is sound. Applicants sometimes treat the fee as the trigger to start preparing the rest of their evidence, but once casework begins the fee is exposed. Finishing preparation before paying is the safer approach.

3. Professional support

Some applicants prepare their own citizenship applications with no difficulty. Others have issues that need careful handling. Past overstays, criminal matters, tax problems, long absences or unclear immigration history can all affect the good character assessment. In these cases, early advice from a regulated specialist reduces the risk of refusal and the cost of needing to apply again.

Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the case and the level of support required. Some people prefer a focused eligibility review before they pay the Home Office fee so they can correct any weaknesses. Others want full representation from start to finish. Before instructing anyone, applicants should check that the adviser is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and that they have genuine experience with nationality cases. Using unregulated advisers creates risk and has led to refusals that applicants only realise later could have been avoided.

Section E: Summary

Applying for British citizenship now means working with a four-figure application fee that is largely non-refundable once the Home Office starts casework. From 9 April 2025, adults pay £1,735 to naturalise and most children pay £1,214 to register, on top of earlier visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge paid at settlement stage. That money is at risk if the application goes in before eligibility, residence, tests and good character have been checked properly.

The British citizenship application fee also sits alongside further costs for tests, translations, optional UKVCAS services and any professional advice. For many applicants, the realistic budget is closer to £1,900 to £2,500. With no appeal right against refusal and only narrow refund routes, the priority is not to rush the application but to get it right first time. A careful pre-application review of status, residence, evidence and risk areas is often the difference between a single successful application and paying the British citizenship application fee twice.

Section F: Need Assistance?

If you are unsure whether now is the right time to apply, or you want a clear view of your eligibility before putting the British citizenship application fee at risk, take advice first. We offer fixed-fee telephone consultations with British citizenship specialists who can review your status, residence, good character position and evidence, then give you a straight assessment of risk and next steps. Contact us to arrange a convenient time to talk through your case before you commit to paying the fee.

Section G: FAQs

What is the current British citizenship application fee in 2026?

The total fee for an adult naturalising as a British citizen is £1,735. That figure combines a £1,605 nationality application fee with a £130 ceremony fee paid at the point of submission. Most children registering as British citizens pay £1,214. Each application is charged separately, and there is no family rate.

Is the ceremony fee included in the British citizenship application fee?

Yes for adults. The £130 ceremony fee forms part of the £1,735 total that is paid when the application is submitted. Children only pay a ceremony fee if they turn 18 before the decision and are then required to attend a ceremony.

Can I get a refund if my British citizenship application is refused

Not once the Home Office has started work on the case. The handling and processing element of the fee is kept even if the application is refused or the applicant later withdraws. Refunds apply only to duplicate payments, invalid applications or clear administrative errors. The ceremony fee is usually returned if the case is refused before the ceremony stage.

Are fee waivers available for British citizenship applications

Waivers apply mainly to children under 18, including those in local authority care or children who cannot reasonably afford the fee. Evidence is required and waivers are granted only where the circumstances meet the policy. Adults are expected to pay the full fee and waivers are not available except in rare situations involving human rights considerations.

How much does it cost to apply for a child’s British citizenship

The Home Office fee for most children registering as British citizens is £1,214. A separate ceremony fee applies only if the child turns 18 before the decision. Translation or legalisation fees may still be relevant depending on the evidence.

What happens if there is a mistake in my citizenship application

If the application is invalid because the fee or biometrics were not provided, the Home Office will return the fee minus an administration charge. If the application is valid but refused due to errors or missing information, the handling element of the fee is not returned. Applicants who submit before fixing gaps often end up paying a second full fee to reapply.

Can I pay the British citizenship application fee in instalments

The full amount must be paid at submission. There is no instalment option and no facility to pay the ceremony fee separately at a later point. If payment fails or the wrong fee is submitted, the application will be rejected as invalid.

Does the British citizenship application fee cover dependants

Each person pays their own full fee. There is no group rate for families and no discount for multiple applications. Parents applying for more than one child need to budget for each fee separately.

How often do British citizenship fees change

Changes usually take effect in April or October. Fees have risen several times in recent years, and applicants who delay often find that the fee has increased by the time they apply. The current fee table should always be checked shortly before payment.

What happens if I cannot attend my citizenship ceremony

Adults need to attend a ceremony within three months of approval unless the local authority agrees that there is a good reason for delay. If the ceremony is missed without good reason, the certificate will not be issued and the applicant will need to start again with a new full fee.

Does the Immigration Health Surcharge apply to British citizenship applications

The Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply at the citizenship stage. It is paid earlier in the immigration journey at visa and settlement stage and has no role in naturalisation or registration applications.

Section H: Glossary

Section I: Additional Resources & Links