What is Naturalisation in the UK? Your Complete Guide to British Citizenship

Naturalisation is one of two legal processes (the other being registration) by which an adult with no automatic claim to British nationality can formally become a British national and obtain the same rights and privileges as someone who was born British.

It’s important to note that naturalisation is specifically for adults aged 18 and over who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period. Registration, by contrast, is typically used for children or those with specific connections to the UK. We’ve outlined the difference between naturalisation and registration in a previous article. 

British citizenship is a legal status granted under the British Nationality Act 1981, providing adults with the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without immigration controls. However, naturalisation is not an automatic entitlement. The Home Secretary has discretion to grant it only if all statutory requirements are satisfied.

Key benefits of British citizenship include:

• The automatic and permanent right to work in the UK
• Full access to public services, including the NHS and education
• The right to vote in all UK elections
• The right to apply for a British citizen passport

Before applying, you should check whether your current country of nationality allows dual citizenship. Some countries require you to renounce your existing nationality upon becoming British, which means you may lose your original citizenship.

Individuals who acquire British nationality by naturalisation must attend a citizenship ceremony (unless they are exempt). When a person becomes a British national by naturalisation, the UK Visa & Immigration service (UKVI) issues them with a nationality certificate, which is the official legal proof of their British citizenship.

Note that while naturalisation is a common method for obtaining British Citizenship, it is by no means the only legal avenue available. 

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the process of obtaining naturalisation and becoming a British citizen. Among other things, we’ll cover:

• Steps and information required to apply for a UK certificate of naturalisation using Form AN 
• The two main routes to naturalisation
• Detailed eligibility requirements 
• The critical post-approval steps
• When you may need a notary to authenticate your certificate for use abroad 

UK naturalisation requirements for British citizenship

There are two main routes to British citizenship by naturalisation, each with some requirements in common and some unique requirements:

1. The five-year general route

As outlined in Section 6(1) of the British Nationality Act 1981, an individual can apply for citizenship by naturalisation if they have lived in the United Kingdom for five years and have had one of the following for 12 months:

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

The applicant must also intend to continue living in the UK.

2. The three-year spouse/civil partner route 

As outlined in Section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981, if you are married to or in a formal civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply after just three years of residence in the UK. 

Importantly, you must be married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen on the date you submit your application. Unlike the five-year route, the 12-month ILR rule does not apply. You only need to be free from immigration time restrictions on the application date itself.

The requirement of making the UK your future home also doesn’t apply to spouses/civil partners of British citizens.

Requirements common to both citizenship by naturalisation routes

In addition to the above, the individual must meet the following specific criteria:

1) Be over 18 years of age and of sound mind;

2) Provide proof of physical presence in the UK on the exact date for five years (for the five-year route) or three years (for the spousal route) before the Home Office receives the application.

Importantly, this five-year period will be deemed abandoned if the applicant has:

• spent more than 450 days outside the United Kingdom during the five years before your application (for the general route), or 270 days for the spousal route;*
• spent more than 90 days outside the United Kingdom in the last 12 months (both routes);* and / or
• broken any UK immigration laws (for example, living illegally in the UK).

3) Prove their knowledge of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic;

4) Have passed the Life in the UK test; and

5) Be of good character.

*Important note about absences: One of the most common reasons for naturalisation applications being refused is exceeding the permitted absences from the UK. If you have exceeded the permitted absence limits, your qualifying period may need to restart, which could significantly delay your application.

The Home Office may exercise discretion for absences slightly over the standard limits (up to 480 days for the five-year route or 300 days for the three-year route). However, absences exceeding 900 days (five-year route) or 540 days (three-year route) are only very rarely disregarded, and your application will likely be refused if you exceed these thresholds.

Complete requirements comparison

The table below shows the specific criteria you must meet depending on which route applies to you:

Important update: Simplified lawful residence requirements

Under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, the lawful residence requirement has been significantly simplified. Holding Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain (ILR) or Settled Status (EUSS) normally meets the lawful residence requirement. This means applicants generally don’t need to provide evidence of their immigration status during the entire qualifying period. This is a major change that particularly benefits European Economic Area nationals who previously didn’t hold Comprehensive Sickness Insurance (CSI).

The English requirements and Life in the UK test explained

Unless you qualify for an exemption, you must demonstrate Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL) by passing both the Life in the UK test and meeting the English language requirement.

The Life in the UK test

This test, which is mandatory for most applicants aged between 18 and 65 years old, assesses your knowledge of British traditions, history and everyday life.

Test details:

• It includes 24 multiple-choice questions covering British values, history, traditions and daily life.
• You need a score of 75% or more to pass.
• The current fee is £50 per test attempt.
• When you pass, you’ll receive a unique reference number (URN), which you must provide in your naturalisation application.
• You can take the test as many times as needed until you pass.

The English language requirement 

You must demonstrate sufficient speaking and listening knowledge of English, Welsh, or Scottish Gaelic at B1 CEFR level or higher. There are four ways to meet this requirement:

1. You can pass a Home Office-approved SELT (Secure English Language Test) at B1 CEFR level or higher. The test results are only valid for two years from the date taken, so ensure your test results haven’t expired when you apply.
2. If you hold a UK degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) that was taught in English, this automatically satisfies the requirement.
3. If you have a degree from overseas, you’ll need your degree certificate and confirmation from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) that your qualification is equivalent to a UK degree and confirming it was taught in English (if from a non-majority English-speaking country).
4. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, you are automatically exempt from the English language test. These countries include:

• Australia
• Canada
• United States of America
• Republic of Ireland (for citizenship applications only)
• New Zealand
• Various Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and others.

Exemptions from Language and Life in the UK Tests

You may be exempt from both tests if you are:

• Aged 65 or over at the time of application
• Unable to meet the requirements due to a long-term, permanent physical or mental condition (this requires a Waiver Request form from a registered medical practitioner; temporary illnesses generally don’t qualify).

Note: Most English language exemptions granted for ‘indefinite leave to remain’ (ILR), such as for refugees or victims of domestic violence, do not transfer to naturalisation. Even if you were exempt from ILR, you typically must meet the B1 English standard for citizenship.

The good character requirement explained

To be considered of good character, you must show that you observe UK laws and respect UK rights and freedoms. The Home Office will refuse applications if this standard isn’t met. You must be completely honest and disclose all relevant information, as failing to do so is itself evidence of bad character.

You must disclose: 

Criminality: Disclose all criminal convictions (UK and overseas), including custodial sentences, fines, cautions, civil orders, drink driving offences, driving endorsements and any pending charges. Even spent convictions must be disclosed.

Financial soundness: Disclose bankruptcy, unpaid council tax, benefit fraud, or NHS debts of £500+. Undischarged bankruptcy typically results in refusal.

Immigration history: Applications are normally refused if you entered illegally, made a “dangerous journey”, used deception with the Home Office, or breached immigration laws (such as working without permission or overstaying).

Can anything help if you have issues?

If you have past issues that might affect your good character assessment, all is not necessarily lost. Evidence of rehabilitation, voluntary work, or time elapsed since the incidents may help. However, serious criminality, recent offences, or dishonesty will almost certainly lead to refusal.

How to apply for British naturalisation as a resident

Application Form AN and fee

Applications for British citizenship by naturalisation should be submitted online using Form AN (the official naturalisation application form). The online process is the preferred method and is generally faster than paper applications. There’s a handy Form AN guide on the GOV.UK website. 

The application fee for adults applying for naturalisation is currently £1,735, which includes the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. 

How long does British naturalisation take?

The average processing time for a United Kingdom certificate of naturalisation application is up to six months. Applicants are generally advised not to contact the Home Office for updates within this period unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Biometric enrollment

The applicant will need to have their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this. You will be told how to do this after you have submitted your application.

Note: You must enrol your biometrics within 45 days of submitting your application. Failure to enrol biometrics within this timeframe will usually invalidate your application and you will lose your fee.

The referee requirement

Your application must be endorsed by two referees who have known you for at least three years. The referees serve to confirm your identity and that you are of good character.

Referee 1: Can be of any nationality but must be a “professional person”. Acceptable professions include solicitors, accountants, civil servants, ministers of religion, teachers or medical practitioners.

Referee 2: Must hold a British citizen passport and be either a professional person (as defined above), or over the age of 25.

Important restrictions:

• Referees can’t be related to you, each other, or employed by the Home Office.
• You can’t reuse referees from previous applications.

If the application for a United Kingdom certificate of naturalisation is successful, you’ll be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony.

The post-approval process and your naturalisation certificate

The citizenship ceremony

Upon approval, you must arrange and attend this ceremony within 90 days of receiving the invitation.

The citizenship ceremony is where you’ll make the Oath of Allegiance and Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom. This is the moment you officially become a British citizen, and you’ll receive your certificate of naturalisation at or shortly after the event.

Your certificate of naturalisation

A person is officially naturalised from the date entered on their British nationality certificate. The certificate of naturalisation is the official document confirming you have successfully completed all requirements and serves as legal proof of your British citizenship.

What information is contained within a UK Certificate of Naturalisation?

A United Kingdom certificate of naturalisation will confirm the following details, namely:

• Current name
• Previous name (if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• British nationality status, section and subsections of the relevant nationality act
• Home Office reference number
• Certificate number
• Date of naturalisation

If there is a spelling or other error on a United Kingdom certificate of naturalisation, you’ll be required to fill out and submit the four-page Form RR to:

Department 201 UK Visas and Immigration Silver Zone

4th Floor The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool L3 9PP

Note that the original certificate of naturalisation must be returned as part of the correction process.

Returning your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) 

Earlier in your immigration journey, you might have been issued a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC) as proof of your identity and immigration status. You must send your BRP back to the Home Office within five working days of getting your certificate of naturalisation, even if it has expired.*

To do so:

• • Cut your BRP into four pieces and put it in a windowless envelope.
  • Include a note saying you’re returning the permit because you’ve become a British citizen.
  • Include your name, date of birth and the document number (found on the front of the card) in the note.
  • Send it to:
    Naturalisation BRP Returns
    PO Box 195
    Bristol
    BS20 1BT

*This step is critical because if you don’t return your BRP within five working days from receiving your certificate of naturalisation, you could be liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

Can someone apply for a UK passport with a UK certificate of naturalisation?

Your certificate of naturalisation can’t be used as a travel document. To travel outside the UK as a British citizen, you must apply separately for either a British citizen passport or a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.

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

To do so, you’ll need to submit the following as part of the UK passport application:

• The naturalisation or registration certificate; and
• The passport used to come into the United Kingdom.

Other methods of acquiring British citizenship

Naturalisation isn’t the only pathway to British citizenship. The Immigration Act 1971 provides various alternative routes, including:

• British parent category – for those with a British parent (citizenship typically passes down one generation).
• British national category – for British overseas citizens, British protected persons, British subjects or British nationals overseas.
• British overseas territories parent category – when a parent is a British overseas territories citizen.
• Commonwealth citizen Windrush Scheme – for those who arrived in the UK before 1973.

These alternative routes will be explored in detail in a future article.

When you may require a notary for your UK certificate of naturalisation

As notaries, we are often requested by clients to notarise their original United Kingdom certificate of naturalisation for purposes of submission in another country. This could be for a variety of purposes, such as applications for visas, proving UK citizenship to third parties or countries, or as part of studying abroad, to name a few.

As part of the notarisation process, it is also frequently required that the notarised certificate of naturalisation is authenticated with an Apostille before it can be legally recognised overseas.

An Apostille is an official certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that confirms the status of the notary public, as well as authenticating their seal and signature. This additional step of authentication ensures your notarised certificate will be accepted by foreign governments under the Hague Apostille Convention.

Conclusion

Obtaining British citizenship through naturalisation is a significant milestone that requires careful preparation, complete documentation and a thorough understanding of all eligibility requirements.

Our firm assists clients in obtaining the required Apostille for notarised documents, managing the entire authentication process from start to finish.

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

FAQs

What is naturalisation in the UK?

Naturalisation is the legal process by which an adult with no automatic claim to British nationality can formally become a British citizen. It’s specifically for adults aged 18 and over who have lived in the UK for a qualifying period and provides the same rights as someone born British.

What are the two main routes to British naturalisation?

The five-year general route requires five years of UK residence, plus 12 months of ILR or settled status. The three-year spouse route applies if you’re married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, requiring only three years of residence.

Do I need to take an English test for naturalisation?

Yes, unless exempt, you must demonstrate English at B1 CEFR level or higher through a SELT test, a UK degree taught in English or by being a national of a majority English-speaking country. You’re exempt if aged 65+ or have a qualifying medical condition.

What is the good character requirement for British citizenship?

You must observe UK laws and respect UK rights and freedoms. You must disclose all criminal convictions, financial issues like bankruptcy or unpaid council tax, and any immigration breaches. 

How long does the British naturalisation process take?

The average processing time is up to six months from application submission. After approval, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 90 days and return your Biometric Residence Permit within five working days of receiving your certificate.

IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please note that the information provided in this article is for general guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Due to the changing nature of immigration and nationality law, you should always verify the current legal position with an authorised immigration adviser or solicitor before making any application.

Nationality advice must only be provided by a person regulated by, or exempted by, the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). If you require specific advice on your individual circumstances, we strongly recommend consulting with a qualified immigration law specialist or solicitor who is authorised to provide nationality advice.