How to apply for British citizenship
There are certain requirements you must meet before you can apply for British citizenship.
To find out if you are eligible to apply, please visit the UK Border Agency website.
The UK Borger Agency lists the different types of citizenship that you can apply for, the three ways you can apply, and the costs involved in applying.
What happens after your citizenship application is successful
If your application for British citizenship is successful and you are living in the UK, you will receive a letter of invitation from the UK Border Agency confirming the local authority that you have chosen and asking you to arrange a suitable ceremony date.
You must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office.
Citizenship ceremonies
To complete the process, Aberdeen City Council welcomes you to attend one of our citizenship ceremonies held within our Grant Room in Marischal College.
During the ceremony, candidates will take an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom and His Majesty the King. Candidates will then be presented with their certificate of British citizenship.
Booking the right ceremony for you
You have the choice to attend a group ceremony, which are held every three weeks. Group ceremonies take place with up to twenty-four other new citizens. Either the Lord Lieutenant or Deputy Lord Lieutenant will also be invited to attend the ceremony.
Alternatively, you can select a private ceremony which can take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday morning for a fee of £83. This offers a more intimate setting and allows for you to bring guests to join you in your celebrations.
How to book your ceremony
When you receive your invitation letter from the UK Borders Agency, please email registrars@aberdeencity.gov.uk to book your ceremony. You will need to provide the following:
• the new citizen’s name, Home Office reference number and contact telephone number
• The type of ceremony you wish to book (group or private)
• if a private ceremony, the number of guests that you would like to invite,
• You will also need to tell us if you have chosen to repeat the oath of allegiance or affirmation of allegiance at your citizenship ceremony.
A member of the Registrar team will then arrange a call to confirm the booking of the chosen ceremony and if you are booking a private ceremony, will arrange to take payment of the fee.
What supporting documents we need you to provide
Please note that at the ceremony you will be asked to show a copy of the citizenship invitation letter or email that you received from the UK Border Agency, along with matching photographic identification.
If you require further assistance, please contact us.