If your application for citizenship is successful, the Home Office will send you a letter confirming this and inviting you to attend a ceremony. Your ceremony will usually be close to where you live. If you want your ceremony to be somewhere else in the UK, you need to make this clear when you make your application for naturalisation.
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 or council that will organise your ceremony. The ceremony usually takes place at a register office or town hall, but it may take place in another public or community building.
You will usually be able to take two guests with you to the ceremony. Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only.
It is also possible to arrange a private ceremony. You should discuss this with your local authority. You may have to pay an extra fee to arrange a private ceremony.
When you attend your ceremony, you must make an oath of allegiance (or you can make an affirmation if you prefer not to swear by God) and a pledge. These are the promises you make when you become a British citizen. The words of the oath, affirmation and pledge are all given below.
Oath of allegiance
I [name] swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.
Affirmation of allegiance
I [name] do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.
The pledge
I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
A few helpful things to keep in mind for the day:
Choosing your version: You don't need to decide right now; the officials will ask you which one you prefer (the Oath or the Affirmation) when you check in at the ceremony.
The Card:
You are usually given a card with these words printed on it, so you don't have to worry about memorising them.
Welcome and good luck!
