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Citizenship ceremonies: guidance notes (English and Welsh)

Updated 11 May 2023

The final part of becoming a British citizen is for you to attend a citizenship ceremony, which your local authority will arrange.

Who should attend a ceremony?

Every successful applicant aged over 18 is required to attend a ceremony.

Children under 18 who have applied with their parents may attend a ceremony with other members of the family, to collect their certificate. They do not have to take the Oath/Affirmation or Pledge, but may do so. If they do not attend the ceremony, another family member may collect their certificate.

Guests can come to your ceremony but normally only two will be allowed. If you would like more guests to attend, please discuss this when you arrange the ceremony.

What will happen at the ceremony?

During the ceremony you will have to say either the Oath or the Affirmation of allegiance to His Majesty the King and the Pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. This is a formal promise to His Majesty the King and the United Kingdom.

You may make the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge either in English or Welsh.

English version

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 III, 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 III, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.

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.

Welsh version (for ceremonies in Wales)

Llw teyrngarwch

Yr wyf i, (enw), yn tyngu i Dduw Hollalluog y byddaf i, ar ôl dod yn ddinesydd Prydeinig, yn ffyddlon ac yn wir deyrngar i’w Fawrhydi y Brenin Charles y Trydydd, ei Etifeddion a’i Olynwyr, yn unol â’r gyfraith.

Cadarnhad teyrngarwch

Yr wyf i, (enw), yn datgan ac yn cadarnhau yn ddifrifol, yn ddiffuant ac yn gywir y byddaf i, ar ôl dod yn ddinesydd Prydeinig, yn ffyddlon ac yn wir deyrngar i’w Fawrhydi y Brenin Charles y Trydydd, ei Etifeddion a’i Olynwyr, yn unol â’r gyfraith.

Adduned

Rhoddaf fy nheyrngarwch i’r Deyrnas Unedig a pharchaf ei hawliau a’i rhyddidau. Arddelaf ei gwerthoedd democrataidd. Glynaf yn ffyddlon wrth ei chyfreithiau a chyflawnaf fy nyletswyddau a’m rhwymedigaethau fel dinesydd Prydeinig.

We recommend that you practise saying the words beforehand. But don’t worry – this isn’t a memory test! Cards with the words of the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge printed on them will be given out at the ceremony. The person conducting the ceremony will say the words a few at a time and ask you to repeat them after him or her.

When you book your ceremony, please tell the local authority if you are going to make an Oath or an Affirmation of allegiance and, if you are attending a ceremony in Wales, whether you wish to make the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge in Welsh or in English.

If you are going to make an Oath of allegiance you may bring a holy book with you if you want to.

After making the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge, you will be presented with your certificate.

In most ceremonies there will be a group of people making the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge together. If you do not want to be a part of a group ceremony, you will need to discuss this with the local authority when you book your ceremony. You may need to pay extra for an individual ceremony.

Where will the ceremony take place?

The venue will normally be arranged by the local authority.

What you must do now?

1. Check that the details on the ceremony invitation, which will be on your certificate, are correct. If any of the details are incorrect, you should still arrange and attend the ceremony. If your certificate needs, amending you should return this, after attending the ceremony to:

UKVI
Department 201
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP

2. Telephone the local authority, using the number on your invitation, to arrange your ceremony. Do this as soon as possible. However, you should note that it may take up to 2 working days for the local authority to receive your documentation. You will not be a British citizen until you have attended the ceremony. Please do not wait more than 14 days from the date you receive your invitation letter. The ceremony must take place within three months. The local authority will need time to arrange it.

When you telephone, the local authority may ask you the following questions:

• Do you want a group or individual ceremony?

• How many guests would you like to bring?

• Do you intend to make an Oath or an Affirmation of allegiance?

• (If you are attending a ceremony in Wales) Do you intend to make the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge in Welsh or in English?

• Are you happy to shake hands when you receive your certificate?

3. Keep your invitation letter safe

You must bring it to the ceremony. If you do not your ceremony will be postponed.

Additional information

Your certificate of registration or naturalisation constitutes legal evidence of your acquisition of British citizenship and should be carefully preserved. It must not be unofficially altered or LAMINATED as in this condition it will not be accepted as evidence of citizenship by His Majesty’s Passport Office.

You should note that HM Passport Office will not issue a British passport in a name that is different to any other passport or travel document that a person holds. This is to ensure consistency with the identities in the British passport and any other passport or travel document. If the details on your citizenship certificate and foreign passport do not match you will need to change your foreign passport into your new name before applying for a British passport.

When applying for a British passport, the photograph provided must be taken within the past month. Therefore, the photograph submitted with your citizenship application is unlikely to be acceptable.

For further information

• About the arrangements for your ceremony: contact your local authority on the number shown on your invitation.

• General information about citizenship: contact UKVI Nationality, on 0300 123 2253 or visit the website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk

We hope that you will enjoy your ceremony