Naturalisation and registration are two different legal processes by which an adult or a child with no automatic claim to British nationality can become a British national, thereby obtaining the same rights and privileges as someone who was born a British national.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of UK-issued certificates of naturalisation, including:

  • The steps and information required to apply for a UK certificate of naturalisation.
  • What information is contained within a naturalisation certificate.
  • Comparison between a UK certificate of naturalisation and a certificate of registration.
  • How to correct a UK naturalisation certificate and apply for a replacement UK certificate of naturalisation.
  • Whether you can apply for a UK passport with a UK certificate of naturalisation.

What Is a Certificate of Naturalisation? 

A certificate of naturalisation (also called a naturalisation certificate) is an official government document that serves as legal proof of British citizenship for individuals who have obtained citizenship through the naturalisation process. This document confirms that the holder has successfully completed all requirements to become a British citizen and provides evidence of their citizenship status for official purposes such as passport applications, employment and travel.

Applicants who gain British nationality by naturalisation or registration must usually attend a citizenship ceremony, unless exempt. (Some typical exemptions include those under 18 or those registering as British overseas territories citizens.) When a person becomes a British national by registration or naturalisation, the UK Visas and Immigration service (UKVI) issues them a nationality certificate.

Rights and Benefits After Naturalisation 

Once you become a British citizen through naturalisation, you gain the full rights and privileges of UK citizenship. This includes the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without any visa or immigration controls. 

British citizens can access public services such as the National Health Service (NHS), free education and social security benefits. You also gain the right to vote in UK elections and stand for public office. Additionally, British citizens enjoy consular protection when travelling abroad and can apply for a British passport, which offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to many countries worldwide.

Work in the UK 

As a British citizen, you have an automatic and permanent right to work without any restrictions. Unlike visa holders or those with limited leave to remain, you don’t need employer sponsorship or work permits. This right allows you to pursue any employment or self-employment opportunities freely across the UK, unaffected by immigration controls and without expiry or renewal requirements.

Becoming a UK Citizen vs a British Citizen 

The terms “UK citizen” and “British citizen” are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle legal distinctions. 

British citizen is a formal nationality status granted under the British Nationality Act 1981, conferring full citizenship rights, including the right of abode in the UK. 

Technically, UK citizenship is an informal umbrella term referring to all categories of British nationality associated with the United Kingdom. Most naturalised individuals become British citizens, which is the most common and comprehensive status of UK nationality. When applying for passports or proving citizenship, “British citizen” is the legally recognised term on official documents.

How to Apply for UK Citizenship by Naturalisation

Eligibility Requirements

You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation if you’ve lived in the UK for five years and have had one of the following for 12 months:

  • Indefinite leave to remain in the UK;
  • Settled status (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’); or
  • Indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad).

An exception to the above 12-month rule is if you’re already married to a British citizen, in which case the 12-month residence requirement does not apply.

Additional Criteria

  • You must also meet the following six specific criteria:
  • Be over 18 years of age.
  • Prove you were in the UK exactly five years before the day the Home Office receives your application. Importantly, this five-year period will be deemed abandoned if the applicant has:
    • Spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the five years before your application;
    • Spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months; and/or
    • Broken any UK immigration laws (for example, living illegally in the UK).
  • Prove your knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic.
  • Have passed the Life in the UK Test.
  • Intend to continue living in the UK.
  • Be of good character.

Application Process

Form and submission: Complete Form AN (available for download from the gov.uk website) and submit your naturalisation application through the official Home Office process.

Fees: Currently £1,735 (this includes the £130 citizenship ceremony fee)

Biometric information: You’ll need fingerprints and a photo taken. There’s no fee for this and you’ll be told how to do this after you’ve applied. 

Processing time: Usually up to six months (timeframes may vary based on individual circumstances). 

After Approval

Citizenship ceremony: If successful, you’ll attend a citizenship ceremony where you’ll take the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge. This is a mandatory final step to complete your naturalisation.

Certificate security: Keep your naturalisation certificate safe once received, as replacements are expensive and time-consuming to obtain.

Return your BRP: A critical point to note is that you must send your biometric residence permit (BRP) back to the Home Office within five working days of getting your UK certificate of naturalisation (you must send it back even though it has expired).

How? 

  • Cut the BRP into four pieces.
  • Place these in a windowless envelope with a note including: your name, date of birth, document number (found on the front of the card).
  • State: “Returning permit – became a citizen” on the note. 

The current address for returning your original BRP is:

Naturalisation BRP Returns
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT

This final step is very important as, if you don’t return your BRP within five working days from the confirmation of successful application of your UK certificate of naturalisation, you could be liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

What Information is Contained Within a UK Certificate of Naturalisation?

A person is officially naturalised from the date entered on their British nationality certificate. A UK certificate of naturalisation will confirm the following details, namely:

  • Current name
  • Previous name
  • Place of birth
  • Date of birth
  • Country of birth
  • British nationality status, section and subsections of the relevant Nationality Act
  • Home Office reference number
  • Certificate number
  • Date of registration or naturalisation

UK Naturalisation Certificate vs. a Certificate of Registration

Both UK certificates of naturalisation and registration confirm the British citizenship of their holder. However, the difference between the two lies in terms of eligibility and the route to citizenship.

  • UK certificates of naturalisation are available for those who have resided in the United Kingdom for a certain period of time − currently set at five years (or three years if the person is married to a British citizen).
  • UK certificates of registration are for children, other citizenship statuses like British Overseas Territories, or those with a specific connection to the United Kingdom. For example, children born to British citizens abroad. 

The below below provides some key comparisons between UK certificates of naturalisation and UK certificates of registration:

Aspect British Naturalisation Certificate Certificate of Registration
Acquired by Adults through naturalisation Children or those with other specific connections with the UK (e.g., children born to British citizens abroad)
Eligibility Must meet residence, language and Life in the UK Test requirements Varies, usually based on birth, descent, adoption, or other connections to the UK
Purpose Confirms British Citizenship Confirms British Citizenship

 

Registration or Naturalisation: Which Path to Take? 

Choosing between registration and naturalisation depends primarily on your circumstances and connection to the UK. 

Naturalisation is the standard route for adults who have lived in the UK lawfully for a specified period, meeting residence, language and test requirements. 

Registration, however, offers a pathway for children and others with specific familial or historical ties to the UK to acquire citizenship, often with different eligibility criteria and without the need to meet residence or testing requirements. 

Understanding these distinctions can help you select the appropriate process for confirming your British citizenship status.

How to Correct a UK Certificate of Naturalisation and Apply for a Replacement 

If there is a spelling or other error on your UK certificate of naturalisation, you’ll need to fill out and submit the relevant four-page RR form to:

Department 201 

UK Visas and Immigration Silver Zone

4th Floor The Capital

New Hall Place 

Liverpool 

L3 9PP

Send the completed Form RR, the original certificate and any supporting documents. The original UK certificate of naturalisation must be returned as part of the correction process. If the mistake was yours, you’ll need to pay a fee of £428. A corrected naturalisation certificate will be sent to the applicant.

What to Do If Your Certificate is Lost or Damaged 

If your UK certificate of naturalisation is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should notify the Home Office as soon as possible. If the certificate has been stolen, it’s wise to report the theft to the police. To continue using your citizenship status for official purposes such as applying for a passport, you’ll need a legible, original certificate; damaged or defaced certificates may require replacement. Photocopies or scanned copies are generally not accepted for legal use.

Applying for a Replacement Certificate 

You can apply for a replacement certificate if yours is lost, stolen, or damaged, provided you were naturalised or registered after 30 September 1986. Use the official online Form NC to apply and pay a fee of £428. If you live outside the UK in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or British Overseas Territories, you may need to apply by post or in person through local authorities. 

For those naturalised or registered before October 1986, replacements are not available from UK Visas and Immigration but can be sought from the National Archives. The replacement process may take several weeks.

Getting a Certified Copy 

A certified copy of your naturalisation or registration certificate is an official document you might need for certain administrative or legal purposes when a full replacement is not required. 

Certified copies are also available for certificates issued on or after 1 October 1986 through UK Visas and Immigration by submitting form NC with the required fee. For certificates issued before this date, certified copies can be obtained from the National Archives. Unlike replacement certificates, certified copies may not always be accepted for all purposes, such as passport applications.

Can You Apply for a UK Passport with a UK Certificate of Naturalisation?

Since a UK certificate of naturalisation is evidence of an individual’s British citizenship, a naturalisation certificate is required to apply for a UK passport.

Both of the following will need to be submitted as part of the UK passport application:

  • Your naturalisation or registration certificate; and
  • The passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on.

When Might You Need a Notary for Your UK Certificate of Naturalisation?

As notaries, we’re often tasked with notarising clients’ original UK naturalisation certificates for purposes of submission in another country. This could be for a variety of purposes, such as applications for visas, proving UK citizenship to foreign authorities or other entities, or to study abroad, to name but a few.

As part of the notarisation process, it’s also often required that the notarised UK certificate of naturalisation be apostilled before it can be legally recognised overseas.

Note that notarisation and apostille are separate processes: Notarisation is the step where the notary certifies a copy of the original document, and the apostille is the process where the government authenticates the notary’s signature.  

At Notary.co.uk, we routinely assist clients in obtaining the required apostille for notarised documents. The apostille confirms the status of the notary as well as their seal and signature.

Conclusion

A UK certificate of naturalisation is a vital document that formally confirms your British citizenship and unlocks the full rights and privileges of UK nationality. From providing unrestricted work rights and access to public services to enabling passport applications and international travel, this certificate serves as your official proof of citizenship status. 

Whether you need notarisation for overseas use, require a replacement due to loss or damage, or simply want to understand the naturalisation process, ensuring you have accurate documentation is essential for accessing the benefits of British citizenship.

Should you require our firm’s services in notarising your UK naturalisation certificate, please contact us at info@notary.co.uk or call 020 7630 1777