Naturalisation Fee UK 2025

Understanding the total cost of British citizenship by naturalisation helps applicants budget accurately and avoid avoidable delays. This article explains the current Home Office fee structure for adult naturalisation, how the separate ceremony charge is applied, the position for children (registration vs naturalisation), and where additional costs may arise. It also clarifies payment, refunds and the legal basis for fees.

Section A: Overview of the Naturalisation Fee

What this section covers. A precise breakdown of the adult naturalisation fee from 9 April 2025, how the citizenship ceremony fee sits alongside the application fee, the distinct fees for registration by children and adults, and key notes on timing and verification of the current rates.

1) What the naturalisation fee covers

The naturalisation application fee funds the Home Office’s processing and decision-making on an adult application for British citizenship under section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981. It does not include the separate citizenship ceremony charge, which must be paid if the application is approved before the applicant can receive their certificate of naturalisation. It also does not include any third-party costs such as English language testing or the Life in the UK Test.

2) Current adult naturalisation fee (from 9 April 2025)

For applications submitted on or after 9 April 2025, the Home Office fee for adult naturalisation is £1,605. In addition, a £130 citizenship ceremony fee is payable on approval, giving a total payable of £1,735 through to completion of the ceremony. Applicants should always verify they are using the latest published rates immediately before submitting their application.

Related mandatory costs: the Life in the UK Test costs £50. Any required English language test is charged separately by the approved test provider. Biometric enrolment is completed at a UKVCAS/TLScontact service point as part of the application workflow; standard appointments are typically free, while enhanced or out-of-hours services may attract provider charges.

3) Children and other registration routes (not the same as adult naturalisation)

Children are usually not “naturalised”; instead they are registered as British citizens under the BNA 1981. From 9 April 2025, the fee to register a child as a British citizen is £1,214. The fee to register an adult as a British citizen (where a registration route applies) is £1,446. Where a minor turns 18 during processing, an additional £130 may be requested to cover the ceremony at decision. Limited fee-exemption arrangements exist for specific child registration cases (for example, looked-after children via the paper payment/waiver process), but there is no general fee-waiver scheme for standard adult naturalisation.

Section summary. From 9 April 2025 the core figures are: adult naturalisation £1,605 + ceremony £130 = £1,735 total to completion; child registration £1,214; adult registration (where eligible) £1,446. Applicants should confirm the latest GOV.UK table immediately before submitting because fees are updated by regulation.

Section B: Paying the Naturalisation Fee

What this section covers. How and when the Home Office takes payment for adult naturalisation, what happens if payment fails, and the refund rules. It also explains how the separate citizenship ceremony charge is collected, and the limits on refunds if an application is refused or withdrawn.

1) Accepted payment methods

Most adult naturalisation applications are submitted online through the UKVI service. Payment is taken via the secure online checkout using a debit or credit card. In limited circumstances where a paper route applies, the form may provide instructions for card payment or an alternative method. Applicants should ensure the payment card has sufficient limit and is authorised for online and overseas transactions (where applicable) to avoid an invalid submission.

2) When payment is taken and application validity

The application fee must be paid in full at the point of submission. If payment is not successfully taken, the application will be invalid and will not enter consideration. The separate £130 citizenship ceremony fee is payable once the application is approved and before the certificate of naturalisation can be issued; local authorities may offer standard group ceremonies within the standard fee and optional private ceremonies at an additional local charge.

Applicants should not assume priority or fast-track processing is available for naturalisation; the route does not offer a premium decision service. Timelines therefore depend on Home Office workloads and case complexity, not on paying a higher fee.

3) Refunds, withdrawals and reapplications

Naturalisation fees are generally non-refundable once a valid application has been accepted for processing. If an application is found to be invalid or is rejected without consideration, the Home Office may refund the fee less an administration amount (commonly stated as £28). Where an applicant withdraws after the application has been accepted, or where the application is refused, the fee is not normally refunded. If the applicant chooses to reapply, a new full fee is payable. Any separate charges paid to third parties (for example, English language testing, translations, or optional appointment upgrades) are outside the Home Office refund policy.

4) Practical payment checks

Before submitting, confirm: (i) the latest fee figures in the current Home Office fees table; (ii) the card limit and authorisation settings; and (iii) that all applicant identity details in the payment screen exactly match the application. Where the applicant turns 18 during processing, budget for the £130 ceremony charge at decision if not already paid.

Section summary. Pay the full application fee online at submission; a failed or partial payment renders the application invalid. The ceremony fee is taken on approval and must be paid before citizenship can be conferred. Refunds are tightly limited: once accepted for processing, fees are usually not refundable, and an admin deduction may apply to invalid cases. Reapplications require a new full fee.

Section C: Additional & Hidden Costs

What this section covers. Costs that sit outside the core Home Office naturalisation fee, including biometric enrolment logistics, how the ceremony fee is actually levied in practice, and common third-party expenses such as tests, translations, document services and optional legal support.

1) Biometric enrolment

Biometric enrolment (fingerprints and photograph) is completed as part of the online application journey. Standard appointments at the contracted service provider are typically free at core centres, while optional enhanced services (for example, out-of-hours, premium lounges or on-site document scanning) attract provider charges. These provider charges are not Home Office fees and vary by location, time slot and service level. Applicants who plan to use enhanced services should budget for these costs in addition to the Home Office fee.

Related preparatory costs commonly include the Life in the UK Test (£50) and, where required, an approved English language test (provider pricing varies). These are paid to third-party test providers and are not part of the naturalisation application fee.

2) Citizenship ceremony fee

The £130 citizenship ceremony fee is payable once the application is approved and must be paid before the certificate of naturalisation can be issued. Local authorities set the logistics for delivery of ceremonies. A standard group ceremony is covered by the £130 fee; an optional private ceremony may be offered at an additional local charge. Applicants should check local availability early to avoid delays to certificate issuance and subsequent passport applications.

3) Optional and ancillary costs (translations, document services, legal fees)

While not required in every case, the following third-party costs frequently arise and should be considered in budgeting:

• Translations & certification: Professional translation of documents not in English or Welsh, plus certification or notarisation where needed.
• Document handling at enrolment: Optional in-centre document scanning or premium support services offered by the provider.
• Legal support: Fixed-fee or hourly professional fees for eligibility analysis, evidence review, drafting and representation.
• Evidence gathering: Fees for obtaining replacement civil records, university letters, or other supporting documents.

These costs are outside Home Office control and are non-refundable even if the application is refused or withdrawn. Applicants should confirm provider pricing in advance and retain receipts for their records.

Section summary. Beyond the core Home Office figures, applicants should budget for provider charges linked to biometric appointments, the £130 ceremony fee at approval, tests (Life in the UK and any required English language test), and any translations or legal assistance. These ancillary costs vary and are usually non-refundable, so confirm them before submission.

Section D: Fee Waivers and Concessions

What this section covers. Whether naturalisation fees can be waived or reduced, the limited concessions that exist elsewhere in British nationality law (particularly for child registration), and practical budgeting notes for applicants and employers.

1) Are fee waivers available for adult naturalisation?

There is no general fee-waiver scheme for standard adult naturalisation applications under section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981. Applicants must budget for (i) the £1,605 application fee (from 9 April 2025) and (ii) the £130 citizenship ceremony fee payable on approval. Inability to pay will normally prevent submission or completion. Priority or fast-track decision services are not offered for naturalisation, so there is no premium that would accelerate a decision.

2) Child registration concessions (distinct from adult naturalisation)

Children are usually registered, not naturalised. From 9 April 2025, the fee to register a child as a British citizen is £1,214. In limited circumstances, a fee waiver may be available for child registration where the statutory guidance allows it (for example, where a child is looked after by a local authority or where paying the fee is unaffordable under the published criteria). These concessions do not extend to standard adult naturalisation.

Where a child turns 18 before decision, a £130 ceremony fee may be payable at approval. Local authorities may charge extra for optional private ceremonies; this is outside the Home Office fee.

3) Other special cases and registration routes

Some adult applicants may qualify for registration rather than naturalisation (for example, specific historical entitlement routes under the British Nationality Act 1981). From 9 April 2025, the adult registration fee is £1,446. Unless the relevant route expressly provides otherwise, fee waivers do not generally apply. Applicants should verify their route first, because eligibility, evidential thresholds and fee consequences differ between registration and naturalisation.

4) Practical budgeting notes (applicants and employers)

Candidates planning to naturalise should budget for the full Home Office charges plus common third-party costs (tests, translations, optional provider services). Employers supporting senior hires toward British citizenship should factor in timelines (no premium decision service), the separate ceremony step, and the non-refundability of fees once a valid application has been accepted.

Section summary. Adult naturalisation has no general fee-waiver mechanism. Limited concessions may exist for child registration in set circumstances, but these do not apply to standard adult cases. Always confirm the latest fees and any route-specific conditions before submitting.

FAQs

1) What is the total cost of adult naturalisation in 2025?

For applications submitted on or after 9 April 2025, the adult naturalisation application fee is £1,605. On approval, you must also pay the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. In practice, applicants should budget £1,735 to complete the process to certificate issuance, plus any third-party costs such as tests, translations or optional appointment upgrades.

2) Is the citizenship ceremony fee included in the main fee?

No. The ceremony fee is a separate £130 charge payable once your application is approved. A standard group ceremony is covered by this fee; optional private ceremonies may attract an additional local charge set by the council.

3) Can I pay the naturalisation fee in instalments?

No. The Home Office requires payment of the full application fee at the point of submission. If payment is not successfully taken, the application is invalid and will not proceed.

4) Are naturalisation fees refundable if refused or withdrawn?

Generally no. Once a valid application has been accepted for processing, the fee is not refunded if you withdraw or if the application is refused. If an application is invalid and rejected without consideration, a refund may be issued less an administration deduction.

5) Do I have to pay for biometrics?

Standard biometric appointments at core centres are typically free. However, optional enhanced services (e.g., out-of-hours, premium support, on-site scanning) are chargeable by the provider and are separate from Home Office fees.

6) How often do citizenship fees change?

Fees are set by regulations and updated periodically. Always check the latest Home Office fees table immediately before submitting your application to ensure you pay the current amount.

7) What are the fees for children?

Children are usually registered, not naturalised. From 9 April 2025, the child registration fee is £1,214. If a child turns 18 before decision, a £130 ceremony fee may also be payable at approval.

8) Is there a fee waiver for adult naturalisation?

No general fee-waiver scheme exists for standard adult naturalisation. Limited concessions may apply to specific child registration cases under the published criteria, but these do not extend to adult naturalisation.

9) Is there a priority or premium service for faster decisions?

No. Naturalisation does not offer a priority or super-priority decision service. Processing times depend on Home Office caseload and case complexity, not on payment of a higher fee.

10) What happens if my payment fails during submission?

The application will be invalid and will not enter consideration. Ensure your card limit and security settings permit the transaction and that your payment details match the applicant’s identity information on the form.

Conclusion

The total cost of British citizenship by naturalisation from 9 April 2025 stands at £1,735 in total — comprising the £1,605 application fee and £130 citizenship ceremony charge. Applicants should also factor in ancillary costs such as biometric appointments, language and Life in the UK tests, translations, and any optional legal or service provider fees.

Because there is no general fee-waiver mechanism for adult naturalisation and refunds are extremely limited, it is important to confirm eligibility and prepare fully before submission. Applications are only valid once full payment has been taken, and a failed payment will result in rejection.

Employers supporting staff who plan to naturalise should understand that naturalisation is a separate process from immigration leave or settlement, with no premium processing service and a fixed ceremony requirement before full citizenship rights are granted. Accurate budgeting and awareness of timing help avoid administrative or financial setbacks.

In summary: always verify the latest Home Office fees, budget for all additional and hidden costs, and recognise that the statutory structure allows minimal discretion on refunds or fee reductions. Once paid and accepted, the fee represents the final step toward British citizenship under section 6 of the British Nationality Act 1981.

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