Attend a public citizenship ceremony

The process

Here’s what to expect and do once your application is confirmed:

  • the Home Office notifies you via post or email of a successful application. This is your decision letter, which advises you not to contact a register office. Do not contact us if you have only received this letter
  • the Home Office will then send you a second letter titled ‘Citizenship Invitation’ or an email titled ‘Citizenship Ceremony Invitation’ asking you to contact us to arrange your ceremony
  • the Home Office letter or email is a standard letter or email sent to all successful applicants across the country advising to contact your local Register Office to arrange your ceremony. Our policy at Birmingham Register Office is to automatically invite you to the next available group ceremony so do not contact us to arrange your ceremony as we will either email you to advise of the date and time of your ceremony or send you an invitation through the post
  • you must bring your Home Office invitation to your ceremony
  • if you are wearing any headwear, you may be asked to remove or adjust it for purposes of identification
  • if you received a letter from the Home Office, bring the original with you. Photocopies are not accepted, and your ceremony cannot proceed without the original
  • if you received an email, you can print it as a PDF or show it on your smartphone. Make sure the Home Office email address is visible, and you can show the entire email to staff. Screenshots showing only your details will not be accepted
  • if someone else, like a solicitor or advisor, is handling your application, ensure they send you the Home Office invitation so you can show it to the staff on the day of your ceremony
  • if you have requested a duplicate copy or email from the Home Office, contact us when you receive it at Citizenship.Ceremonies@birmingham.gov.uk for further advice

It can sometimes take several weeks for us to receive your certificate from the Home Office, even if you have received their invitation letter. We will not contact you until we receive your certificate.

We are also able to offer some private citizenship ceremonies.

Page last updated: 17 December 2024

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