UK Citizenship
Citizenship & Naturalisation
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Page updates will be made over the next few weeks inline with related changes that come into force from the 6 April 2012.
Citizenship & Naturalisation.
You need to be aged 18 or over to apply for citizenship & naturalisation. Dependents below this age can apply with the main applicant at the same time.
Before a Permanent Residence applicant or someone with the right to naturalise can apply for citizenship & naturalisation they must first obtain a certifcate of "knowledge of language and life in the UK" Applicants must have passed this test before making an application for citizenship & naturalisation as a British citizen.
Applicants muat demonstrate there knowledge of language and life in the UK in one of three ways:
- If you speak English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic to a reasonable standard, you will need to pass the 'Life in the UK test'.
- If you do not have sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, you will need to take and pass an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course in English and citizenship.
- If you passed the Life in the UK test or completed an ESOL course to meet the 'knowledge of language and life' requirement when you applied for Permanent Residence, you will not need to show that you meet this requirement again.
You are not exempted from this requirement because you have lived in the UK for a long time, have certain qualifications, are illiterate or are from an English-speaking country. The requirement to demonstrate knowledge of life in the UK is specified in law, and these can not be used as grounds for exemption.
You can claim exemption from the requirement if you are over the age of 65, or have a serious physical or mental condition that would prevent you from meeting this requirement for the foreseeable future. 3rd Part evidence would be required such as a letter from the NHS confirming you have a recognised & registered disability.
For Citizenship advice call us on 0845 2911229 or for a quote click
Documents required for all applicants:
Evidence of your identity: passport; or nationality identity card; or Home Office travel document; birth certificate; or photo driving licence; or bank, building society or credit card statements issued to you in the last six months.
Evidence of knowledge of English and of life in the United Kingdom or your letter confirming you have passed the life in the UK test, stamped and signed by the test supervisor; or documents required for applications made on the basis of residence in the United Kingdom
Evidence of lawful residence during the residential qualifying period
If you do not provide your passport, you should provide letters from employers, educational establishments or other government departments indicating your presence in the United Kingdom during the qualifying period.
If you came to the United Kingdom as an asylum seeker, you should provide:
evidence that you were not in the United Kingdom without permission between exhausting your appeal rights and being granted indefinite leave to remain.
If you are a student, you should provide letters from all education providers confirming you were enrolled on courses of study throughout the qualifying period; and evidence that you have comprehensive sickness insurance cover for you and your accompanying family members. If you are retired, you should provide evidence that you are receiving a state pension.
Documents required for applications made on the basis of marriage or civil partnership to a British citizen you should provide your partner's passport or birth certificate; and your marriage or civil partnership certificate. Documents required for applications from self-employed people if you do not pay tax through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) arrangements, you should provide your most recent HMRC Documents & self assessment statements.
Applying for your 1st passport.
British passports are issued by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).
All adults (aged 16 and over) applying for a passport for the first time must attend an interview with IPS in person to confirm their identity.
For Assistance and Help in making a application for Citizenship please call us on 0845 291 1229