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Citizenship Ceremonies

Becoming a British Citizen is a significant event in your life. As a British Citizen, you are joining a community made up of different backgrounds, cultures and faiths. To celebrate the occasion of becoming a British Citizen, the Government has introduced Citizenship Ceremonies.

Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted of naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony. The ceremony involves prospective citizens making an oath or affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom after which a certificate will be presented.

Booking a Ceremony

When you receive your Home Office invitation letter, you should contact the Registration Support Officer at Portsmouth Register Office (Tel: 023 9282 9041) to provisionally book which ceremony you wish to attend as soon as possible (a ceremony must be attended within 11 weeks of receiving the invitation, otherwise it may be withdrawn by the Home Office and the process would have to be started again with the full fee). You will be asked to quote your Home Office reference number and poll number. We will then send you a questionnaire about all the details we require from you about the ceremony.

Standard group ceremonies are held monthly at Portsmouth Register Office. You are welcome to two bring guests to your ceremony. Access to standard group ceremonies is by invitation only. Alternatively you may wish to celebrate the acquisition of citizenship by having an individual ceremony, either for family, personal or cultural reasons. (There is an additional fee for these ceremonies).

The Ceremony

Applicants and guests should arrive up to an hour before the ceremony is due to begin. You should bring your original Home Office invitation letter and a form of ID e.g. passport, travel document, driving licence or medical card. A ceremony consists of an Introduction and Welcome by the Superintendent Registrar and a speech usually conducted by a local dignitary (or deputy). You will then be required make the oath/affirmation and pledge (details of the wording is included in your invitation letter from the Home Office). As the Oath is made to Holy God you may wish to bring your own Holy book. If preferred, allegiance can be affirmed (as chosen on your questionnaire).

The Dignitary will  present you with your Citizenship Certificate and you will also be provided with a welcome pack and a gift from Portsmouth City Council. You will then be invited to sign our Citizenship Register. The ceremony is closed with the playing of the national anthem.

A professional photographer is present to take photos of the certificate presentation. Guests are also welcome to take photos. Refreshments are  provided.

For further guidance on Citizenship Ceremonies please contact:

The Registration Support Officer
The Register Office
Milldam House
Burnaby Road
Portsmouth
PO1 3AF

Tel: 023 9282 9041

The office opening hours are 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

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