Guide to UK Naturalisation Certificate

The naturalisation certificate is issued as evidence that an individual has been granted British citizenship through the legal process of naturalisation.

In this guide, we answer some frequently asked questions about naturalisation certificates, including what to do if yours is lost or damaged.

 

What is a naturalisation certificate?

 

A naturalisation certificate is an official document issued by the UK Home Office that confirms an individual has become a British citizen through the process of naturalisation. It serves as proof of citizenship and is often required for legal and administrative purposes.

 

Why do you need a naturalisation certificate?

 

A naturalisation certificate is an essential document that provides official proof of British citizenship acquired through naturalisation. It is needed for various important purposes, including:

 

a. Applying for a British Passport: The certificate is required as part of the documentation when applying for a British passport, which is essential for international travel as a UK citizen.

b. Proving Citizenship Status: It serves as evidence of your British citizenship when interacting with government bodies, employers, educational institutions, or other organisations that require verification of your citizenship status.

c. Accessing Public Services: You may need it to confirm your eligibility for public benefits, healthcare, or other services that are reserved for UK citizens.

d. Legal and Administrative Purposes: The certificate is often required when dealing with legal matters such as inheritance, property purchases, or changes to official documents.

e. Replacing Your Previous Nationality Documents: Once you become a British citizen, you may no longer use or rely on documents from your previous nationality to prove your identity or status. The naturalisation certificate becomes your primary citizenship document.

f. Travel and Residency Proof: In certain situations, such as applying for visas to other countries, you may need to provide evidence of your British citizenship.

 

 

How can I apply for a naturalisation certificate?

 

The naturalisation certificate is automatically provided when your application for British citizenship is approved. You do not need to apply separately for the certificate itself. The naturalisation process involves meeting specific eligibility criteria and submitting an application to the Home Office.

 

Is it mandatory to attend a citizenship ceremony to receive a naturalisation certificate?

 

Attending a citizenship ceremony is a mandatory step to receive your naturalisation certificate, unless exempt due to special circumstances. The ceremony is a formal event where you swear allegiance to the Crown and officially receive your certificate.

 

How long does it take to receive a naturalisation certificate?

 

Once your citizenship application is approved, you will usually be invited to a citizenship ceremony within three months. You will receive your naturalisation certificate during or shortly after the ceremony.

 

Does a naturalisation certificate expire?

 

No, a naturalisation certificate does not expire. However, it is essential to keep it safe as it is an important, official document.

 

What information is included on a naturalisation certificate?

 

A naturalisation certificate typically includes your full name, date of birth, nationality, and the date you became a British citizen. It may also include a certificate number and reference to the relevant legal provisions under which citizenship was granted.

 

Is a naturalisation certificate the same as a British passport?

 

No, a naturalisation certificate is not the same as a passport. While the certificate proves British citizenship, you will need to apply for a British passport separately if you wish to travel internationally as a British citizen.

 

What should you do if your naturalisation certificate is lost, damaged or stolen?

 

In the event you have misplaced your certificate, or it has been stolen, you should notify the Home Office and apply for a new certificate to be issued. You must also report to the police if stolen.

 

Are damaged, defaced or laminated naturalisation certificates acceptable for a passport application?

 

The UK passport office only accepts naturalisation certificates that are legible and in good, original condition. Plastic laminates will not be accepted.

 

Can I use a copy of my naturalisation certificate?

 

For most legal purposes, such as applying for a passport, only the original naturalisation certificate is accepted. Photocopies or scanned copies are generally not sufficient.

 

Can you correct or update information on your naturalisation certificate?

 

You can correct or update information on your naturalisation certificate under specific circumstances. The UK Home Office provides a process to address errors or outdated information on your certificate. A fee may be charged for corrections or updates unless the error was made by the Home Office.

 

a. Errors: If your certificate contains errors, you should apply for a correction, providing supporting evidence to show why the amendment is required. If UKVI has made an error when issuing the certificate, provided this can be evidenced, the certificate would usually be reissued. 

b. Name Change: If you legally change your name after naturalisation (e.g., through marriage or deed poll), your certificate cannot be reissued with updated details. However, your name change can be reflected on subsequent documents like passports.

c. Gender Change: If your gender has changed, you may be able to request a new certificate with updated information, subject to providing appropriate legal documentation.

d. Incorrect Information Provided by the Applicant: If the incorrect information was due to an error you made during your application process, you may still request a correction. However, this may involve additional scrutiny and supporting evidence.

 

Certificates can also be ‘endorsed’ whereby the information contained was believed to be correct at the time of issue, but has since been proven or alleged by the certificate holder to now be incorrect. Only endorsements relating to changes to personal details officially accepted by the Home Office can be used to change their personal details on a passport or passport application.

 

The process for corrections or updates can take several weeks, depending on the nature of the change and the complexity of the case.

 

How do I replace, amend or get a copy of my naturalisation certificate?

 

You may only request a duplicate certificate from UKVI if you were registered or naturalised after October 1986.

Replacement naturalisation certificates can be applied for using form NC, Application for Duplicate Citizenship Certificate.

You must pay a fee, £250, to order a replacement registration or naturalisation certificate, or to correct mistakes on a certificate, unless the error was the UKVI’s fault.

If you became a citizen on or before 30 September 1986, you can search the National Archives and order a certified copy for a registration certificate issued between 1 January 1949 and 30 September 1986 or naturalisation certificate issued between 1 January 1844 and 30 September 1986.

 

How do I apply for my first naturalisation certificate?

 

There are two main routes to British naturalisation; the 5 year route and the 3 year route:

 
a. The 5-year route for British Naturalisation 
 

Typically, in order to qualify under this route you will need to have been in the UK lawfully for 5 years and for one of those years you must have held the status of indefinite leave to remain.

As with all the immigration categories you will have previously been in, there are residence requirements that you must meet. You must:

 

i. have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application

ii. spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years

iii. spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

iv. been granted indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence and held this for at least 12 months, as mentioned above

v. not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

 
b. The 3-year route for British Naturalisation 
 

Alternatively, if you are the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen you will be eligible to apply after 3 years in the UK. The residence requirements are as follows:

i. have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the date of your application

ii. spent no more than 270 days outside the UK during those 3 years

iii. spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

iv. been granted indefinite leave to remain or permanent residence

v. not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

 

Regardless of which route you qualify under, there are additional, mandatory requirements on applicants. You must:

 

i. be over 18 (there are separate provisions for children)

ii. be considered to be of good character – this is a hugely complex area, and the ground cited in the majority of citizenship refusals

iii. have met the knowledge of English language and life in the UK – this is a two part test that involves you passing the Life in the UK test and meeting the English language requirement as a separate limb

iv. be of sound mind. This means you must be capable of making decisions for yourself

 

One of the more challenging requirements for applicants that travel extensively is the residence requirement. The application will need to detail your absences from the UK in the past 3 or 5 years depending on which route you qualify under.

You are expected to provide:

 

i. the dates that you left the UK

ii. the date your returned

iii. where you went

iv. your reason for going there; and

v. how many days you were absent

 

Note that when calculating the number of days absent, the Home Office does not take into account days that were spent travelling.

 

 

Need Assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris specialise in all aspects of UK naturalisation. As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for effective and efficient management and processing of British citizenship and British naturalisation applications. We have the insight to guide you through all stages of the process to make your British naturalisation application as smooth as possible. TO arrange a telephone consultation with one of our specialists, contact us.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Naturalisation	The legal process through which a non-British individual becomes a British citizen by meeting specific eligibility requirements set by the UK Home Office.
Naturalisation Certificate	An official document issued by the UK Home Office that confirms an individual has acquired British citizenship through naturalisation.
UK Home Office	The government department responsible for immigration, security, and citizenship matters in the United Kingdom.
British Citizen	A person who holds British nationality, which grants rights such as living and working in the UK and accessing public services.
Citizenship Ceremony	A formal event required to complete the naturalisation process, during which individuals swear allegiance to the Crown and receive their naturalisation certificate.
British Passport	An official travel document issued to British citizens, enabling international travel and serving as proof of identity and nationality.
Eligibility Criteria	The set of requirements, such as residency duration and language proficiency, that an applicant must meet to be granted British citizenship.
Proof of Citizenship	Documentation, such as a naturalisation certificate or passport, that confirms an individual’s status as a British citizen.
Replacement Certificate	A duplicate naturalisation certificate issued by the UK Home Office if the original is lost, stolen, or damaged, subject to certain conditions.
Allegiance to the Crown	The formal pledge of loyalty to the UK monarch, required during the citizenship ceremony as part of the naturalisation process.
Legal Provisions	The laws and regulations under which British citizenship is granted, referenced on the naturalisation certificate.
Original Document	The physical, official copy of a document, such as a naturalisation certificate, as opposed to a photocopy or scanned version.

 

 

Additional Resources

 

UK Home Office – Naturalisation Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/becoming-a-british-citizen
Comprehensive guidance on the process of becoming a British citizen through naturalisation, including eligibility requirements and application instructions.

Apply for a Replacement Naturalisation Certificate
https://www.gov.uk/get-replacement-citizenship-certificate
Detailed instructions on how to apply for a replacement certificate if your naturalisation certificate is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Check if You Can Apply for British Citizenship
https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship
A helpful tool to determine if you are eligible to apply for British citizenship and what steps to take.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Contact Information
https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi
Official contact details for UK Visas and Immigration, the branch of the Home Office responsible for handling citizenship applications and related queries.

Citizenship Ceremonies Information
https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies
Details on what to expect during your citizenship ceremony, including how to book and what documents you need to bring.

British Passport Application Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport
Step-by-step guidance on applying for a British passport, which requires a naturalisation certificate as proof of citizenship.