Citizenship ceremonies
The Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2004 requires all successful applicants for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen, who are aged 18 or over, to take an Oath to His Majesty the King and a Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom, unless exempted by the Home Secretary.
- It is expected that this will be done at a formal citizenship ceremony held in a location where the new citizen lives.
- The citizenship ceremony celebrates the significance of becoming a British Citizen and welcomes the new citizen into his or her community.
- The ceremony must take place within three months of an applicant being informed that his or her application has been successful.
- Ceremonies are held once a month in Swindon.
- Ceremonies are part of the naturalisation fee paid for by the Home Office.
Citizenship in Swindon
The Home Office advises the Superintendent Registrar of successful applications of people living in the borough of Swindon, and sends the certificates to the register office.
A new citizen will be advised by the Home Office to book a ceremony within 14 days of receiving the letter advising them that their application has been successful.
Group citizenship ceremonies are usually held at the Civic Offices in the presence of the Superintendent Registrar and the Worshipful the Mayor of Swindon. Each new citizen may bring two guests to attend the ceremony with them and to celebrate the acquisition of citizenship. Alternatively, you can book a private ceremony, which requires a fee.
Although there is no legal requirement for persons under 18 years of age to attend a ceremony and take the oath and pledge, it is the Government’s wish that the ceremony be treated as a family as well as community occasion, seeing young persons participating with their parents at these special occasions.