British Naturalisation time scale

[BingoBango]

Hi everyone, I have just printed off the 15 page form for my wifes naturalisation application so she can get a British passport, we have all the documents and settlement so will be straight forward, the home office website says upto 6 months but does anyone have experience of making an application and how long did it take including the ceremony etc.

We live in the UK

The cost is now £851 plus the passport is around £80.

Thanks in advance

[caller]

Yup, have up to date info. A good friend of mine applied via the Nationality Checking Service offered by many local authorities (recommended) in conjunction with UKBA, on 28.4.12. The documents were then submitted and a letter from the UKBA was received a few days later confirming receipt - and that the fee had been claimed.

In a letter dated 10.8.12, they confirmed citizenship had been granted. This letter also goes to the local authority nearest you for the ceremony to be arranged, where your partner actually becomes a British Citizen. So when you contact the LA, they will probably already have a date planned. In my friends case, thats today, hence I'm replying to this now!

The final hurdle is securing the passport, which requires the applicant to attend an interview to confirm identity.

On saying all the above, I still think we give citizenship away far too easily and folk just starting out on the route will in future find it more difficult, more costly and it will take much longer.

Anyway, good luck to you and yours!

[Big Boy]

The final hurdle is securing the passport, which requires the applicant to attend an interview to confirm identity.

Does the requirement for interview hike the cost for the first passport application? The reason I ask is that turning up at the passport office normally doubles the cost.

[caller]

Not really BB, it costs £70+ just to renew a passport by snail post. The extra hike comes in when you require an urgent replacement via an appointment.

[Big Boy]

That's good then. They seem to be exploiting every other element of immigration to the UK - I bet it's not long before they fix that one as well with some sort of stealth tax.

[caller]

I enjoyed the ceremony today, as much for the fact it took place in a splendid large mansion house that survived two battles in the English Civil War, quite recently lovingly restored as a result of lottery heritage funding.

12 new citizens in total, 2, both white, were on their own and spoke 'English' English, so not sure what their background is? Another white couple were with their scruffy oik teenage son and ditto their English, so again, confused where they are from? Apart from my good friend, there was a younger Thai with her English hubby and young son, she was from Udon, but had lived in the UK for 9 years. There were three asians, a female, very westernised with an English hubby, who I learnt ran a fashion business in the town we were in, another that was on his own and another with a few family members, wife and son. What surprised me about him was that he didn't affirm, but took the full christian oath. There was a beeming youngish husband and wife Chinese couple and one guy from West Africa with a couple of mates.

As a group they pledged alliegance to the Crown and were then presented individually with their certificates by Sir someone or other representing the Queen and the Chair of the Local Authority. The ceremony was conducted by two very able LA employees. I was impressed by the solemn sermon on the values of Britishness, the importance of upholding our customs, the right to free speech etc and the responsibilities and standards that are expected from them in return.

In addition, each received a pack which included a letter from the Home Secretary on behalf of the Queen and other helpful bumph, especially about getting a passport and the LA provided each new citizen with a rather lovely commemorative medal! It ended with the National Anthem and an absolute instruction to stand or else risk being shot. No worries with this group.

I've just got back from enjoying a lovely meal and some real ale at a local hostelry - gratis!

[whirlyweston]

My wife and I lived in the UK for over 5 years, now back in LOS almost 7 years, we were told after 5 years of my wife living in England she could apply for a UK passport, wrong, my wife gave bith to 4 children when we was in the UK, she could of applied for her UK passport after 3 years of being in the UK as she had a child, children born thier. By the time my wife applied for her UK passport they had brought out the law, that she had to take a test on being a british citizen. We bought the book, one that you would expect a uni grad to be reading, journey to life in the UK. She took the Test, 25 quid, and failed, next week after, she took again, and failed, and again, and again, and again, but to no avail. As far as I know, this test still stands, it's not easy. In the end we decided to return to LOS. The education for my children, the life stye, is great, far better than I could aford back in the UK. I wish you and your family good luck and a very good life, the old saying spings to mind, the grass is not always greener.

[BingoBango]

Thanks caller and big boy, cant get a better answer than that and a post that has not turned into a cock measuring contest which is a rare occasion.

Looking at about 5months then including securing passport.

I too agree that citizenship and access to benefits is granted too easy and too early but thats a matter for the government.

The only reason that we want a passport for my wife is because we have just had our first child together who can get a british passport straight away and my 7 year old daughter from previous marriage has hers, so it just seem fair that my wife can have one, just so our travel options are not limited.

once again thanks

[caller]

Just one thought Bingo Bango, you said your wife has a settlement visa, did you actually mean ILR? Citizenship cannot be applied for when on a time restricted visa.

[Big Boy]

Friends of ours have just paid an extra £105 to have a private ceremony

This is simply encouraging this stealth tax.