This page provides details of the citizenship ceremony that all adults wishing to become British citizens in the United Kingdom are required to attend. Ceremonies in the United Kingdom are conducted on Home Office behalf by registrars in local areas. If you are abroad, the ceremony will be conducted by the diplomatic post in the country where you live.

If you are registering to become a British overseas territories citizen, a British Overseas citizen or a British subject you will not need to attend a ceremony. You will need to make an oath or affirmation of allegiance. Those applying for British overseas territories citizenship also need to make a pledge. The page on the oath of allegiance provides more information.

Why ceremonies?

Before 2004, an oath or affirmation of allegiance was made privately in the presence of a person who had the power to witness oaths. A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen was then sent to the successful applicant by post.

Becoming a British citizen is a significant event and should be celebrated in a meaningful way. At the ceremony, you will be welcomed into your local community and meet other people in the area who are becoming British citizens.

The invitation

If your application for British citizenship is successful, the Home Office will send you a letter confirming this and inviting you to attend a ceremony. Your ceremony will usually take place close to where you live. If you want your ceremony to take place somewhere else in the United Kingdom, you should tell us this when you make your application for naturalisation.

Arranging the ceremony

When you receive your invitation to a ceremony, you have 90 days to attend one. Your invitation will include contact details for the local authority that will arrange your ceremony. The ceremony usually takes place at a register office.

Most local authorities arrange group ceremonies for everyone in the local area who is becoming a British citizen at that time. You will usually be able to take two guests with you to the ceremony. Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only.

You can arrange a private ceremony. You should discuss your requirements with your local authority. You may have to pay an additional fee to arrange a private ceremony.

Children

Children are not required to take a citizenship oath or affirmation, and the accompanying pledge, or to attend a ceremony. If you have reached the age of 18 by the time the Home Office have decided your application you will need to attend a ceremony even if you made your application as a child. If applications for children under the age of 18 have been made as part of a family group, they will be invited to attend the citizenship ceremony with their parents.

Preparing for the ceremony

When you attend your ceremony you are required to make an oath of allegiance (or you can make an affirmation if you prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge. The words of the oath, affirmation and pledge are all given below. You may wish to practise saying the oath or affirmation, and the pledge, before you attend the ceremony.