UK Naturalisation Certificate
Individuals with no automatic claim to British nationality can naturalise as citizens and receive a certificate of naturalisation. The naturalisation certificate is an essential proof of their UK citizenship.
For more information on the UK naturalisation certificate, including immediate help obtaining one, contact one of our lawyers at 0204 502 8582. We can help you over the phone, in person, or online.
What is a UK Naturalisation Certificate?
The UK naturalisation certificate is a document issued by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to individuals who successfully acquire British citizenship by naturalisation.
A naturalisation certificate proves that an individual is a UK citizen with the same rights and privileges as naturally-born British nationals. It can be submitted where proof of citizenship is required, such as to apply for a British passport, to access NHS benefits, to show the right to work in the UK and vote in elections, to apply for a mortgage, and for other legal and administrative purposes.
The UK naturalisation certificate comprises the following information:
- Current name
- Previous name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- A reference to the relevant British Nationality Act granting citizenship
- Home Office reference number
- Certificate number
- Date of registration or naturalisation
Furthermore, the naturalisation certificate replaces all former UK residency documents. Certificate holders can use it to apply for a British passport, which allows for visa-free travel to several countries.
However, visa-free privileges may vary based on an individual’s circumstance and evolving international agreements. For instance, a person’s citizenship with their country of origin may make them ineligible to enter certain countries even with a visa-free British passport.
Page Contents
- What is a UK Naturalisation Certificate?
- Eligibility Requirements for a Naturalisation Certificate
- The Process of Obtaining a Naturalisation Certificate
- Types of Endorsements That May Appear on Naturalisation Certificates
- Guidance on Correcting Errors Found on a Naturalisation Certificate
- Steps To Take When Replacing a Lost or Damaged Naturalisation Certificate
- Fees Associated With the Certification of Naturalisation
- How Can London Immigration Lawyers Help
- Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Requirements for a Naturalisation Certificate
Individuals become eligible for the naturalisation certificate once the authorities approve their British citizenship application. Thus, the eligibility criteria for obtaining a certificate of naturalisation are the same as the citizenship requirements.
For the general eligibility requirements, all applicants for citizenship by naturalisation must:
- Be 18 or over
- Have indefinite leave to remain or settled status.
- Be of good character.
- Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic.
- Take and pass the Life in the UK test.
- Not have broken any UK immigration laws.
- Provide two referees who can endorse their application.
- Plan to live in the UK after getting their naturalisation certificate.
There are also continuous residence requirements applicants must fulfil, which differ depending on an individual’s situation. Individuals applying for citizenship as spouses or partners of British citizens must:
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years leading up to the date of the application
- Have been in the UK on the first day of the three-year qualifying period unless they have exceptional circumstances beyond their control, such as severe health conditions or travel restrictions that made them unable to be in the UK on that date.
- Not have spent over 270 days outside the UK during the last three years before the application.
- Not have spent over 90 days outside the UK during the last 12 months before the application.
Note that applicants whose British partners work abroad for the UK government may be exempted from the residency requirements.
Furthermore, other applicants for naturalisation who have indefinite leave to remain or settled status must:
- Have resided lawfully in the UK for at least five years before their application date.
- Have been in the UK on the first day of the five-year qualifying period unless they have exceptional circumstances like health reasons or travel restrictions.
- Not have left the UK for more than 450 days in the five-year residency qualification window.
- Not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months before the application.
The Process of Obtaining a Naturalisation Certificate
The process of getting a UK naturalisation certificate involves:
Prepare the Required Documents
The supporting documents required to apply for UK citizenship by naturalisation include;
- A valid passport or other travel documents
- Proof of absences and presence in the UK in the qualifying period, with:
- Previous passports or travel documents detailing all entry and exit stamps
- Payslips
- P60s from the applicant’s employer detailing work activity
- Self-assessment statements for each year of the qualifying window for self-employed applicants
- Biometric resident permit (BRP) card
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate if applying as a spouse or partner of a British citizen
- Police certificate demonstrating good character
- Life in the UK test result
- Evidence of English language proficiency, such as the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) or a UK degree taught in English
- Signed referees’ declarations
Fill Out the Application Form
Applications can be submitted using the online application form available on the Home Office’s website. Applicants are expected to create an account and complete the digital version of the application form. Some required information include personal details, contacts, country of origin, immigration history, and other citizenships.
In the “Document” section of the application, applicants should upload digital copies of all relevant supporting documents. Otherwise, they can scan the physical copies at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. Afterwards, they must sign the declaration section.
Postal applications are also an option. If applying by post, applicants must download and manually complete Form AN in block letters using black ink.
Make the Required Payment
Applicants using the online method can pay the application fee immediately after completing the form with a debit or credit card. For postal applications, a payment slip must be completed and included with the submission.
Submit the Application
Individuals submitting their applications via post must send them to:
Department 1
UK Visas and Immigration
The Capital Building
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP
For online submissions, applicants should click the submit prompt after completing all sections and making the necessary payments. After submission, biometric enrolment may be required, and the Home Office will provide details on where and when to complete this step.
Await the Decision
The Home Office’s decision on citizenship applications can take up to six months, although many applicants receive feedback within three months. It is essential to hold a valid permit to remain in the UK during this waiting period. The authorities will communicate the decision via letter for postal applications or by email for online submissions.
Attend the Citizenship Ceremony
Successful applicants over the age of 18 are required to attend a citizenship ceremony. The ceremony typically takes place within three months of receiving the decision on the application, and the Home Office will provide an invitation specifying the time, date, and venue.
Failure to attend the ceremony may result in an individual’s citizenship being refused unless their absence is justified with a valid reason.
During the citizenship ceremony, participants must take an oath of allegiance or affirmation and a pledge, after which they are presented with a certificate of naturalisation and officially become citizens.
While ceremonies are typically conducted in groups with other new citizens, arrangements can be made for a private event. For those outside the UK, the Home Office allows the oath and pledge to be taken at a British Embassy or another approved authority.
Types of Endorsements That May Appear on Naturalisation Certificates
An endorsement on a UK naturalisation certificate refers to any additional statements added by the authorities to indicate that corrections have been made to the certificate.
If there is incorrect information on a naturalisation certificate, the Home Office can rectify it by either withdrawing and reissuing the certificate or adding an endorsement to the original one. The applicable correction method will depend on the circumstances that resulted in the error.
The UK Home Office will only withdraw and rectify a certificate if the incorrect information was due to an error from their officials. However, they will endorse a certificate if any of the following applies:
- The details on the certificate were correct at the time of issue, but new evidence came to light that made them incorrect.
- The details on the certificate were believed to be correct when issued, but the holder claims they are incorrect and don’t have evidence to back up their claims.
Endorsements can correct personal information like date and place of birth. Only endorsements officially accepted by the Home Office can be used as proof to change the details on a passport or passport application.
Some types of endorsements that may appear on a naturalisation certificate include:
- For a change of name:
“According to documentary evidence produced by the Home Office, the name of the certificate holder should read (accepted name):
For head of Nationality Directorate
(date of endorsement)”.
- For a change of place or date of birth:
“According to documentary evidence produced by the Home Office, the date (and place) of birth of the certificate holder should read (place of birth) (date of birth)
for head of Nationality Directorate
(date of endorsement)”.
Guidance on Correcting Errors Found on a Naturalisation Certificate
To request a change to a naturalisation certificate, take the following steps:
Complete Form RR
Form RR is an offline application form for correcting errors on a UK citizenship certificate downloadable from the Home Office website. The form contains the “Personal Information,” “Information about your certificate of registration or naturalisation,” and “Declaration” sections.
When completing the “Information about your certificate of registration or naturalisation” section, highlight the incorrect detail(s) on the certificate. Also, state the evidence(s) included in the application, such as a passport or birth certificate.
If the certificate was issued over three months, an explanation of why it took so long to apply for correction must be provided. Furthermore, confirm that the error on the naturalisation certificate matches the information provided on the original citizenship application form, and if yes, provide reasons why.
Submit the Application
Submit the form, along with documentary evidence and the original naturalisation certificate, to the following address:
Department 201
UK Visas and Immigration
Silver Zone, 4th Floor
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP
Pay the Required Fee
If you are responsible for the error, you must pay a certificate correction fee. The UKVI will notify you via a letter if you need to pay.
Steps To Take When Replacing a Lost or Damaged Naturalisation Certificate
The process for replacing a lost or damaged naturalisation certificate will depend on the date an applicant became a citizen.
Replacing Certificates Obtained on or Before 30 September 1986
A British nationality certificate obtained on or before 30th September 1986 is irreplaceable, as the UKVI do not have records of citizenship grants before October 1986. Instead, applicants can search the National Archives for a certified copy of a:
- registration certificate issued between 1 January 1949 and 30 September 1986
- naturalisation certificate issued between 1 January 1844 and 30
It can take up to ten working days after a search request for the National Archive team to get back to an applicant. If the National Archive team finds a copy of the certificate, they will guide the applicant on how to order the copy.
Replacing Certificates Obtained After September 1986
Naturalisation certificates obtained after September 1986 can be replaced.
Applicants can apply for a replacement certificate online or via paper by filling out Form NC, submitting the supporting documents, mainly proof of identity, and making the required payments.
Paper applications must be submitted to
Department 102
UKVI
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP.
Processing time for the replacement of a UK naturalisation certificate is around two to six weeks.
Fees Associated With the Certification of Naturalisation
Here is a breakdown of the fees associated with the certificate of naturalisation in the UK:
- Citizenship by naturalisation application fee: £1,709
- Correction to naturalisation certificate: £456
- Duplicate certificate (replacement of a lost certificate): £456
How Can London Immigration Lawyers Help
Acquiring the British naturalisation certificate has several benefits, including the right to reside in the UK completely free from immigration restrictions and apply for a passport. However, the application process can be challenging due to strict residency requirements and other criteria that applicants must fulfil.
At London Immigration Lawyers, we have a team of qualified legal professionals who are experts in UK immigration laws and can help you with the British citizenship by naturalisation application process.
Our lawyers will review your situation to ensure you’re qualified to apply. We will assist you in compiling the needed documentation and thoroughly review your application before submission to ensure accuracy.
We will serve as your representative with the Home Office, helping you track and get updates on the status of your application. If you have any questions or concerns during the process, our lawyers will answer them, including explaining complex legal terminologies related to your application.
To learn more about obtaining your UK naturalisation certificate, call us at 0204 502 8582 or contact us online.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at London Immigration Lawyers before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on May 12th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
Naturalisation certificates are issued to individuals 18 or older who have lived in the UK continuously for a certain period and met other requirements for British citizenship by naturalisation.
Registration certificates are granted to applicants born in the UK who did not qualify as automatic citizens at the time of their birth. If they meet the requirements and successfully apply for British citizenship by birth, they will be issued a certificate of registration of citizenship.
You can apply for UK naturalisation if you have dual citizenship. However, you should first check that the laws of the other country where you hold citizenship allow dual nationality to ensure you do not lose your current citizenship. For instance, countries like India, Japan, and China can automatically revoke citizenship if their citizens acquire another nationality.
Common reasons for correcting errors on naturalisation certificates include spelling mistakes in names, erroneous date of birth, wrong naturalisation date, and gender errors. You can also apply to fix a missing or incorrect title, wrong place of birth, and typographical errors.
The application form and process for replacing a lost or damaged UK naturalisation certificate differs from getting a new one. New applications are more exhaustive and require you to provide more information and supporting documents, while a replacement form mainly seeks to verify your identity and establish that you’re a citizen.
