Doncaster Council

Citizenship Ceremonies

Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted for a naturalisation or registration by the Home Office as a British Citizen, must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a Citizenship Ceremony. The heart of the Citizenship Ceremony will involve prospective citizens making an oath/affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.   

How can I apply for British Citizenship?

Applications to become a British Citizen needs to be arranged via the Home Office whose email address is: ceremony.enquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

As your application process nears completion, you will be sent a letter inviting you to attend a citizenship ceremony along with:

• Guidance notes explaining what to do next
• The wording of the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance and Citizenship Pledge
• Your personal details to check
• The telephone number and address of your Local Authority      

How do I Arrange to Attend a Citizenship Ceremony?

Once you have received your ceremony invitation letter, you are required to contact Doncaster Register Office on (01302) 364922 to arrange a date for your ceremony. You have 11 weeks in which to attend a ceremony.  

If you cannot attend within this time, we may have to withdraw your invitation and you will be required to apply and pay the fee again.

What will happen at the Ceremony?

Ceremonies begin with a speech of welcome by the Superintendent Registrar. The ceremony also includes a speech by a local dignitary welcoming the new citizens to Doncaster and congratulating them on their citizenship. The taking of a new citizenship oath and pledge is a legal requirement and the key moment at which citizenship is conferred. New citizens are then called up one at a time to receive their certificate, information pack and commemorative gifts. 

The nationality certificate is presented by a local dignitary on behalf of the Home Secretary and can subsequently be used to support passport applications and to prove the individual is a British citizen. The ceremony will end with a closing speech and the playing of the national anthem. 

Afterwards, there may be an informal celebration with light refreshments and citizens have the opportunity to have their photographs taken with their guests and/or the dignitaries in attendance.

Are Family Applications Accepted?

Where possible, the Home Office decides applications from members of the same family at the same time, so that they can attend a ceremony together.

Can we Invite our Family and Friends?

Whilst you are welcome to bring guests, family and friends to your ceremony, accommodation is unfortunately restricted and therefore it is necessary to place a limit of five guests per application.  Access to the ceremony will be restricted to applicants and their specified guests only.

Do we have to Attend a Public Ceremony?

Citizenship Ceremonies will normally be conducted in groups to reinforce the community nature of citizenship. Citizenship Ceremonies cannot be held at private homes.

For more information please contact the Doncaster Register Office using the contact details at the top of this web page.