How to Apply for English Citizenship

The process of obtaining English citizenship culminates in a citizenship ceremony.

If you've lived in England for years and want to become a citizen, you need to meet the government's requirements. This means passing a citizenship test and completing an application form. Individuals may apply without help, but since 2005 many apply though the Nationality Checking Service. Applying this way increases the odds of success for obtaining English citizenship from 90 percent to 98 percent, according to the U.K. Border Agency. Once approved, a citizenship ceremony will seal your new identity as an English citizen.

Instructions

1. Ensure that you meet all necessary qualifications. The U.K. Border Agency lists them on its eligibility page. Requirements include residence in the United Kingdom for at least five years–or three years if in a marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen–and mental health, meaning the ability to make decisions for yourself. The U.K. Border Agency will also check your tax payment history and criminal records to ensure you are of good character.

2. Pass the "Life in the U.K." test. Consider purchasing the study handbook "Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship" or the Home Office's official study guide to prepare for the test; these are available at many bookshops. Book your test at a local test center through the Border Agency's website, lifeintheuktest.gov.uk. Pay the test fee and take photo identification to the test center. The exam consists of 24 multiple-choice questions.

3. Visit the U.K. Border Agency's website and download a naturalization application form–Form AN. Complete the form accurately. The U.K. Border Agency requires that applicants use black or dark blue ink. Remember to fill in dates in dd-mm-yyyy format.

4. Attach necessary supporting documents to your application. The U.K. Border Agency lists these documents, including your passport and a signed and stamped letter that proves you have passed the Life in the U.K. test.

5. Take your application to a nationality checking service if desired. The U.K. Border Agency recommends this. Pay a small fee to have someone look over your application and ensure that all pages are complete and all supporting documents are in order.

6. Submit your application to the following address if you are already in the United Kingdom:

   UK Border Agency

   Department 1

   PO Box 306

   Liverpool

   L2 0Q2

7. Wait up to one month for the government to respond to your application. If approved, attend a naturalization ceremony within 90 days. Practice the oath of allegiance and pledge, which you must say at the ceremony, before attending.

Tips & Warnings

• Applicants who do not know English well enough to complete the "Life in the U.K." test must take and pass an English language and citizenship course.

• Overseas applicants must travel to the U.K. to take the "Life in the U.K." test.

References

• U.K. Border Agency: Ways to Apply for British Citizenship or Nationality
• U.K. Border Agency: Good Character Requirement
• U.K. Border Agency: Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK
• U.K. Border Agency: The 'Life in the UK' Test
• U.K. Border Agency: Completing the Application Form

Resources

• Who Can Apply for British Citizenship and Other Forms of British Nationality?
• Life in the UK Test
• Form AN
• The Documents We Require for Naturalisation Applications
• Citizenship Ceremonies