Life in the UK Test Practice
✓ Last verified: 2026-07-28
A citizenship ceremony is the final stage for many successful British citizenship applications.
Applicants become British citizens after completing the ceremony process and receiving their certificate of citizenship.
You must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office.
Booking your ceremony involves a few key points:
The cost of your ceremony is included in your citizenship application fee, so you do not pay separately for a standard group ceremony.
You might need to pay more for a private ceremony, check the cost with your local authority.
You can ask the embassy or consulate in the country you're living in whether you can have your ceremony there instead.
If you're only abroad for a short time, you might be asked to postpone your ceremony until you return to the UK. You must still book your ceremony within 3 months of getting your invitation.
If you'll be abroad for more than a few months, you might have to prove you're planning to live in the UK permanently. If you applied for citizenship while in the UK, you cannot have your ceremony abroad.
During the ceremony applicants make either:
They also make a pledge to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the UK.
At the end of the ceremony, you'll be presented with your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack. Some local authorities sell photographs or videos of the event.
After completing the ceremony, applicants receive a certificate of British citizenship.
This certificate is important evidence of citizenship and is needed for a first British passport application.
You will not need to attend a citizenship ceremony if you're registering to become a British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, or British subject.
You'll still need to make an oath or affirmation of allegiance, you'll be sent details of how to do this.
After receiving the certificate, successful applicants can apply for a British passport.
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Last updated: 2026-07-28 • Category: Immigration Guides
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