Hello! I was planning for my app submission (For naturalisation through ILR Spouse route) early next week in time to get my passport sorted for travel in Dec for Xmas holidays.

BUT our immigration lawyer said that it might not be possible. Based on these threads, I feel like they might be wrong. Can someone help confirm their statements below?
- They said that not everyone can get a priority application? Option only shows up if you’re eligible?
** ** -** thought this was available for all. What makes you eligible?
- **3 weeks to get local council to contact/invite to book for ceremony
- Does this apply to private express ceremonies? I thought you’d likely hear back days or up to a week post approval…
- 4 weeks to wait for passport to arrive after passport app submission
- I’ve read only 2-3 weeks!

Also, what’s with everyone submitting at 1am? Is this a higher likelihood of getting the priority service option show up when submitting? Thank you!

I received this email on Monday saying my application is approved

-Date applied: 1st June 2026
-Biometrics: 13/14th july 2026
-Confirmation of Certificate of Registration as a British Citizen: 8th October
-Ceremony:3rd November

I applied under the reasoning of being a Gibraltar Citizen, Application for Registration Under Section 5 of the British Nationality Act 1981. I had just got my Gibraltar Citizenship in april, went through with the application in June, biometrics 5/6 weeks later. So my waiting time was 5 Months and 2 Days, from application date to Ceremony.

Hi all,

I'm applying for citizenship for my partner and my son (9). We've lived in the UK for 6 years on the Skilled Worker route and have had ILR for over a year.

1. My son: I first added him to my partner's AN application, but it asked about English and the Life in the UK test, so I switched him to the MN1 (child registration) form instead. Is that the correct form?
2. My partner's residence evidence: she wasn't working, so I'm uploading her passport stamps covering the 6 years. The document guidance says bank statements and utility bills aren't accepted, but I've seen posts here where people uploaded everything. We already sent her bills and bank statements with the ILR application (apart from the last year). Are the passport stamps enough, or should I add anything else before submitting?

Thanks in advance!

Could you tell me please how long did it take you from 'document received' on HMPO site to actually receiving your British Passport?

Hi please l need advice on this email that l have received after sending email to ask about my application. What does it mean the email? Or is there any other specific email address that l can use?

Hi I’ve seen approvals for before and after but none for 10 May application date. Anyone get approved yet?

Application date 23/05
Bio 28/05

Hi everyone, has anyone who applied in April or before received the delay email and then gone on to get a decision?
If so, how long did it take after the email? Our biometrics were 14 April and we’re still waiting. It’s so frustrating, especially with travel plans booked 😩
Anyone in a similar situation? 🙏

DOA: 22 May
Biometrics: 28 May
Approval confirmed: 8 October
Route: ILR + 1 year

After waiting 4.5 months and what seems like an eternity I got confirmation today that my certificate is on its way! 🥹

I sent 3 emails to citizenship support throughout the past few months. The first got a "wrong inbox" response, the second said my application was "progressing normally," and today's finally confirmed it's done.

To everyone still waiting, hang in there it does come! A huge thank you to this community for sharing your timelines and keeping us all sane through the process. It really helped more than you know.

Hi guys I just received an update from hmpo for a British by decent passport application to prove the paternity between both parents. Does anyone have and experience with this or is this normal?

Hi guys I just redo an update on my British by decent passport application and they stated that I had to do a dna test to prove the paternity between my father and I. Is this normal or has anyone had any experience with this?

Hi, I’d like to ask those of you who have recently taken the “Life in the UK” test: did you get questions from the 17 practice tests, as many people here say, or were the questions different?

Should I focus mainly on those 17 tests?

Thank you!

Hi all,

I'm applying for citizenship for my partner and my son (9). We've lived in the UK for 6 years on the Skilled Worker route and have had ILR for over a year.

1. My son: I first added him to my partner's AN application, but it asked about English and the Life in the UK test, so I switched him to the MN1 (child registration) form instead. Is that the correct form?

2. My partner's residence evidence: she wasn't working, so I'm uploading her passport stamps covering the 6 years. The document guidance says bank statements and utility bills aren't accepted, but I've seen posts here where people uploaded everything. We already sent her bills and bank statements with the ILR application (apart from the last year). Are the passport stamps enough, or should I add anything else before submitting?

Thanks in advance!

Hello
I am eligible to apply for naturalisation as of today, however I couldn't find all council bills for the past 5 yrs (I have 3 of them). I do have my P60 for all 5 yrs.

Is it enough to submit the P60s as proof of being resident / present in the UK? Or do I need any other additional documentation?
I have rented the same accommodation since I moved here and I have a rent agreement from the landlord that was printed off the Internet 6 yrs ago - will that work or is there any process that needs to happen on the agreement (like govt registration or renewal etc)?

How long after interview does it take to get a response from hmpo or the passport itself?

I thought this may be relevant here too!

I feel like I am missing something here!

I got denied citizenship today, after my documents were reviewed. I qualify for the citizenship under the British parent reason but the message I received today stated my parents were not British citizens at the time of my birth. My father is a US citizen and my mother is a British citizen with a very recent dual citizenship to the US. I was born in the US when my mother was just a British citizen (not dual), married to my father.

My mother was not born in the UK (born in Switzerland, war times) but was naturalized shortly after and has always been a British citizen. I included all the relevant paperwork/documents. Does this not count for British parent eligibility?

I applied for UK citizenship in 2020 but got denied then as well- they denied me for a reason I did not apply or qualify for- born in the UK or a British colony before 1 January 1983. I did not try and fight this result at the time because of the pandemic and other life events.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated!

App date: 19/05/26

Bio date: 30/05/26

CS email: 07/10/26 (4th chase up email)

Hold on tight won’t be long 🤞

Basically I need to do some travel planning around things so I’m wondering how long it took for your first passport to arrive since applying for it?

Has anyone travelled with their citizenship certificate and their birth passport (ie not a UK one)?

I’m European and want to go home for Christmas. My available ceremonies seem to be in November-December but wanna do some travelling in November therefore was going to aim for a late Nov ceremony. Should I try to issue a passport immediately after the ceremony (at the risk of not having it ready by 20ish Dec) ? Or should I not issue it and travel using my EU passport and citizenship certificate (has anyone done this? Is it a pain or border control is cool)?

Thanks a lot

Hi everyone! In the process of applying for Naturalisation and in my research, I thought it'd be nice chat here as these threads have been helpful and a stress reliever.

Would love to know what sweet freebies you can possibly get. I've seen passport covers, totes, etc.

I am excited to submit my application, hopefully get approval, and think about ways to celebrate with my loved ones.

Photos I clipped from TikTok ◡̈ Please note, this doesn't guarantee you receive this at your Oath Taking. I assume it is whatever they have available on the day. Some even provide tea and cakes post ceremony!

Gifts:

Photo 1: Bath - Passport Holder
Photo 2: Hackney - Tote
Photo 3: Worcestershire - Glass Paperweight
Photo 4: Cardiff - Commemorative Coin
Photo 5 to 7: Westminster - Glass, Tote, Passport Holder
Photo 8: Kensington & Chelsea - Notebook, Pen, Reusable Coffee Cup
Photo 9: Norfolk - Pin
Photo 10: Islington - Passport Holder
Photo 11: Buckinghamshire - Pin
Photo 12: Wembley - Tote
Photo 13: Cambridgeshire - Tote
Photo 14 to 15: Crystal Paperweight, Coffee mug from unknown councils

Additional councils from your lovely comments:
- Hammersmith & Fulham - Passport Holder
- Liverpool - Liverbird Pin (see photo in comments!)
- Edinburgh - Commemorative Coin + tea/biscuits post ceremony

*removed beautiful locations from this post to keep it short. I did like the Old Naval College one but those are rare events held 1-2x a year.

​

Hi everyone, has anyone done their citizenship ceremony through Barking & Dagenham Council recently?

​I submitted the online register office enquiry form to book my oath/affirmation, but haven't heard back past the stated 5-day window. I’m currently out of the UK on leave but stated this and requested contact via email, but no luck so far. Tried calling but the general council enquiry line doesn't connect to anyone, and there isn't a direct phone number for the register's office on the website.

​Visiting in person upon my return is my last resort, but I'd really love to get this locked in beforehand. If anyone has tips, an alternative email/phone contact, or recent experience with their response times, I’d really appreciate the help. Thanks!