How to Apply for Citizenship in the UK
The United Kingdom includes Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Eligible applicants who are interested in UK citizenship will obtain it by applying for British citizenship. (British citizens are also citizens of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.) The UK Border Agency, a department of the Home Office, handles naturalization and other immigration matters for the United Kingdom.
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Instructions
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Find out if you qualify for British citizenship. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, mentally stable and of good character. You must also be able to speak English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic and have a sufficient knowledge of UK history and way of life.
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Apply through your spouse or civil partner, if possible. You can apply for British citizenship if your spouse or partner is a British citizen or in Crown service outside the UK.
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Meet residency requirements if you are applying through your spouse or partner. You must have been a continuous resident of the UK for at least three years before filing your application, adhering to immigration laws during this time. Any absence from the United Kingdom must not exceed 270 days within the three-year period and 90 days within the last 12 months.
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Meet residency requirements if you are applying on your own qualifications. You must have been a continuous resident of the United Kingdom for at least five years before the date of your application, and you must have adhered to the immigration laws during this time. Any absences from the UK must not exceed 90 days within the last 12 months and 450 days within the last five years.
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Demonstrate knowledge of language in the United Kingdom. If English is not your first language, you are expected to take a series of courses titled "English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)." Due to a need to submit evidence of enrollment in these courses, you must start or complete them before you file your application.
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Take a "Life in the UK" test at a test center. Questions are based on "Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship" (see Resources). Send your pass notification letter with your application.
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Submit other required documents with your application, including an identifying document, such as your passport, and evidence of exercising treaty rights, such as tax certificates. If you are applying based on the citizenship of your spouse or partner, include his birth certificate or passport and your marriage or civil certificate. If you are applying based on your partner's Crown service, include information on her position, date and place of recruitment and the benefit of your application to the employer.
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Select a method of applying. You can apply through the Nationality Checking Service, through a representative or directly.
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Wait for an interview. If an interview is necessary, a representative or the police may conduct it at your home or at the Border Agency office.
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Attend a citizenship ceremony. If your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to a ceremony, which will take place at a register office close to you or at the location you chose on your application.
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Visit the UK Border Agency for more information on how to apply for British citizenship (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
You are exempt from the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements if you are 65 and older or have a mental or physical condition that will make it difficult for you to fulfill this requirement.
