Naturalisation is the process most adult applicants must undergo in order to become a British citizen. If your application is successful (see the required criteria below) you will gain the full range of rights enjoyed by nationals of the UK. Our solicitors can assist you through this journey and maximise your chances for a successful naturalisation application. The naturalisation route is slightly different for people married to a British citizen. See our "British Citizenship by Marriage" guide for more details.
Once you have settled in the UK and lived here legally for five years, or three years if you are married to a British citizen, you may be eligible to naturalise as British. Eligibility for British citizenship by naturalisation primarily depends on residency, good character, and integration into British society. Before you begin your British naturalisation application, you must also meet the following requirements:
● You must be aged 18 or over
● You must be settled in the UK
● You must be able to communicate in English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic to an acceptable level
● You must be of good character. For example, you must not have a recent criminal record
● You must possess a full understanding of the step you are taking and the legal implications of becoming a British citizen
● You must have sufficient knowledge about life in the UK
● You must meet the residence criteria
● You must intend to continue to live in the UK or to continue in Crown service, following the acceptance of your naturalisation application
A British citizenship solicitor can discuss your circumstances and advise you on whether or not you meet the relevant requirements before you submit your application.
When applying for British citizenship by naturalisation, it is crucial to provide comprehensive and accurate documentation. The required documents typically include evidence of your identity, marital status, your immigration status and your continuous residence in the UK. Certain applications might need some additional documents, especially if there are issues regarding your character, such as a criminal conviction or a previous immigration problem.
To become British, children must undergo a registration process. The best approach may be determined by factors such as where and when the child was born and the status of the parents. Latitude Law can advise you on the best route available for your child. Our lawyers have particular expertise in complex cases involving adoption and surrogacy. For an application form and guidance, contact one of our expert solicitors.
The process of applying for British citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the British Nationality Act 1981. There are several key requirements and you should verify your eligibility and gather the supporting documents you will need before starting the process.
Naturalisation is the most common route for non-British adults who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period to become British citizens, but this does not mean the process is automatic. It is important to approach the process carefully and seek immigration advice from experienced citizenship lawyers if you have any concerns about handling the process yourself.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the British citizenship application process by naturalisation:
To apply for British citizenship by naturalisation, you must meet all of the conditions listed above. There are also requirements for how long you have lived in the UK - in most cases, you must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before the date of your application and have held indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for at least 12 months.
If you have spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5-year qualifying period, or have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the 12 months before applying, you may be ineligible. If you are eligible to apply after three years, you must not have spent more than 270 days outside the UK during this time.
You must pass a Life in the UK Test, which assesses your knowledge of British history, traditions, and daily life. You must book the test online at least 3 days in advance and take it at an approved test centre.
You will need to submit several documents as part of your application, including:
Your passport(s) and biometric residence permit (if applicable)
Proof of your ILR or settled status
Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if you are applying as the spouse of a British citizen)
Life in the UK test pass certificate
Evidence of residence in the UK, such as travel records or employment letters
Two referees’ declarations – One must be a professional (e.g. teacher, doctor), the other must be a British citizen over 25 years old who is not related to you
You may also need to provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement, unless you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. If you have passed an approved English language test at B1 CEFR level or higher, a test certificate can be used to prove this. Alternatively, having a degree that was taught or researched in English (with an Ecctis certificate if your degree was obtained outside the UK) can suffice.
Your application should be filled out and submitted online. There are several sections that you must complete, and there is also an application fee that must be paid at this stage. You may need to upload your supporting documents and attach them to your application - or, if you need to attend a biometric appointment, you may be asked to bring evidence with you.
If you have not already provided your biometric data, you may be asked to attend an appointment at a visa application centre. You will provide copies of your fingerprints and have a photograph taken. If you need to do this, a timeline will be specified during the application process.
Once this has been completed, the only remaining stage is to wait for a decision. The Home Office typically takes up to 6 months to make a decision, though some applications may take longer. During this time, you may be contacted for further information or documents. This will not affect your ability to live in the UK, assuming you already have indefinite leave to remain status. You are permitted to travel overseas while waiting for your naturalisation decision.
If your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony by your local council. If you wish to attend, you must do so within 3 months of receiving your invitation. During the ceremony, you will swear or affirm an oath of allegiance and receive your certificate of British citizenship.
Once you have received your certificate of citizenship, you can apply for a British passport using a separate application process if you wish to. You will need to provide your citizenship certificate and supporting identity documents. Our specialist immigration lawyers can advise you on the implications of securing your first British passport and how this could affect your citizenship of other countries.
Client - Dr & Mrs O08/2024Successful naturalisation for couple
"I just want to say a big thank you to Keelin, Anna and the rest of the team there at Latitude Law Solicitors, for the professional manner in which you handled our British naturalisation applications.
We're fully aware you were working tirelessly and efficiently behind the scene, throughout the process of compilation of our documents, completion and the eventual submission of our naturalisation application. We truly and sincerely appreciate the invaluable contribution you made, that ultimately resulted in a successful naturalisation application for us. You've been exceptional. Please keep up with your great work ethic and dedication to excellence.”
Latitude Law’s specialist team helps many applicants with their citizenship and nationality cases in a wide variety of scenarios. We are used to work with complex application and can provide detailed guidance about how to meet the requirements. In your specific circumstances, review and advice regarding the documentation required for your case to have the best chances of success, and prepare the entire application alongside detailed representations explaining how the relevant rules are met.
At Latitude Law, we understand how challenging it can be to navigate the process of obtaining British citizenship by naturalisation or registration. That is why our team of experienced solicitors, who have many years of experience in immigration law, will do everything they can to help your British citizenship by naturalisation or registration application be successful.
We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 satisfied clients.
The Home Office states that it aims to complete naturalisation applications within 6 months of submission. Of course, this period is not set in stone and applications can sometimes be met with delays.
Before beginning the process, you will need to pass a Life in the UK test and, if you do not meet the English language requirement in another way (i.e. by being a national of a majority speaking English country or by having a degree taught in English), an English language test to level B1 CEFR in speaking and listening. Exemptions may be available, for example for applicants aged 65 and over, or those with a learning difficulty.
Previous convictions will be considered when looking at the good character requirement. Having a previous conviction may not automatically mean that your application will be refused. However, having such a conviction will make your application more difficult. The type (custodial or non-custodial) and length of any sentence are relevant, as is the nature of the crime itself and whether it was a one-off offence or part of a more persistent pattern of offending. Home Office guidance on good character is complex, so you should seek specialist advice before applying to naturalise if you have a conviction.
Yes, if you have been granted ILR or settled status and can meet the other requirements you will be eligible for British citizenship.
You can apply for a British passport once your naturalisation application has been approved and you have been granted a certificate of naturalisation. Note that most applicants for a first passport are required to attend an interview.
There is no statutory right of appeal if your naturalisation application is refused. However, you may be able to submit a request for reconsideration of the decision if you feel you have grounds to argue that the application was refused incorrectly.
To learn more about what to do next, read our guide to your options if your application for British citizenship is refused.
You will require two referees to confirm that you are of good character. One must be a British passport holder over the age of 25; the other must be a professional person, not necessarily British.
A referee cannot be your British spouse or anyone personally related to you. They also cannot be the lawyer who is handling your citizenship application.
As the requirements for obtaining British citizenship by naturalisation or registration are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your supporting documentation is compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
If your partner is a British citizen and you see your future in the UK, you may be considering gaining British citizenship through marriage. This type of naturalisation application is dependent on satisfying a number of requirements, so it’s smart to seek legal help when you begin your application.
A settlement visa – also known as indefinite leave to remain – can only be applied for once a person qualifies, usually after a set period of residence in a visa category that leads to settlement. In most instances, settlement is obtained once a person has resided in the UK for five years.
The UK government believes that family should stay together wherever possible, which is why they offer visas for family members of British citizens or migrants who are settled in the UK. The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law can guide you through the application process and provide legal advice on complex matters, such as past refusals and appeals.
