Citizenship Ceremony

In January 2004 the Government introduced a requirement that all persons over 18 years of age who successfully apply for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen will have to take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.  Citizenship ceremonies are new and you must attend the  ceremony if you wish to become a British citizen.  You cannot request one of these ceremonies, they are by invitation only for individuals who have been granted British Citizenship.  The Home Office will invite you to a ceremony if:

If your application for British citizenship is successful, the Home Office will write inviting you to a citizenship ceremony.

Together with the invitation, you will receive:

It is important that you check your personal details carefully. These details will appear on your citizenship certificate.

If the Home Office have made a mistake with the personal details you gave them, you must contact the Home Office Citizenship Ceremonies Support Team immediately on the telephone number shown on the invitation.

If the personal details are correct you should contact your local Register Office to book the next available ceremony.

The Home Office will use the postcode you put on your citizenship application to decide which is your nearest Register Office.

When you receive your ceremony invitation letter, you have 11 weeks to attend a ceremony. If you cannot attend a ceremony within this time, the Home Office may withdraw your invitation. You would then need to apply and pay the fee again. You should let Torbay Register Office know as soon as possible if you cannot attend a ceremony.

Please note that you should not contact the Register Office until you have received your citizenship invitation.

Family applications

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.

The Ceremony

When you arrive for the ceremony, you will be asked to show your letter of invitation.  You will then receive your pledge card with the words to the oath or affirmation and pledge that you have to say during the ceremony.

When you attend the ceremony, it will be usual to do so together with a group of other new citizens. The Superintendent Registrar or a Deputy will host the ceremony.  A local dignitary will attend and say a few words to welcome you into our community.

After a speech of welcome, the Superintendent Registrar will invite you to swear the Oath of allegiance or, if you prefer, to speak the affirmation of allegiance.

Oath of allegiance

I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

Affirmation of allegiance

I (name) do solemnly and sincerely affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law.

After the Oath or affirmation, you will take the citizenship Pledge

Pledge

I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

The Superintendent Registrar will then present you with your citizenship certificate and an information pack.  The National Anthem will then be sung.  There may be an informal celebration with light refreshments afterwards and you will have the opportunity to take photographs with your guests and the dignitary in attendance.

You may wish to bring guests to your ceremony. You should discuss this when you make your ceremony appointment because the space for guests may be limited.

If you have any queries on citizenship ceremonies or wish to book an appointment please contact us at Torbay Register Office.

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