Citizenship Ceremonies
in Bath and North East Somerset
How do I apply for British Citizenship
For details on how
to apply for British Citizenship consult the Home Office
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/
What happens next?
Before you get
your certificate you are required by law to swear or affirm an oath
to Majesty the Queen, and a pledge of loyalty to the United
Kingdom. You must do this at a Citizenship Ceremony.
How do I arrange a ceremony?
Once your
certificate is received at this office we will send you a letter
inviting you to a group ceremony. We usually hold these ceremonies
on the third Wednesday of every month, at 10.30am in the Guildhall.
You will also receive some information about the ceremony, and a
checklist for you to complete and return to us. When we have
received your checklist, with the date you wish to attend, we will
write to you confirming the time and date.
About the Ceremony
The Home Office
has already written to you about this. Their letter will have
explained that in order to complete the process of becoming a
British citizen, you will need to attend a citizenship ceremony to
receive your Certificate of Naturalisation. The ceremony will
include taking an oath (or affirmation) of allegiance to Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and a pledge of loyalty to the United
Kingdom. You must attend a ceremony within 3 months of the
Home Office letter to you confirming that your application has been
approved. In your case, Bath and North East Somerset Council
is the local authority responsible for making the arrangements for
you to attend a citizenship ceremony.
Who should attend the ceremony?
Every successful
citizenship applicant aged over 18
Children under 18
who have applied with their parents may attend a ceremony with
other members of the family. They are not required to take
the oath or pledge but can use the opportunity to collect their
certificate. If the child cannot attend the ceremony, another
family member may collect the certificate on their behalf.
You may bring 2
guests with you and we will send you their invitations.
Please complete their names on the attached questionnaire.
Where and when will the ceremony take place?
Most ceremonies will be carried out in groups for up to 15 new
citizens. These will normally be held in the Guildhall on the
third Wednesday of each month.
Alternatively you may prefer to celebrate gaining citizenship in a
more personal way with your family and friends at the Guildhall or
one of our approved marriage venues. If you would like a list
of these then please let me know. You will of course need to
pay for any additional costs incurred.
What will happen at the ceremony?
You will be
welcomed into the community by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of
Bath and North East Somerset Council.
You will be
required to take the oath (or affirmation) of allegiance, and the
pledge of loyalty
You will be
presented with your Certificate of Naturalisation and we will take
a commemorative photograph of that presentation.
You will receive a
paperweight as a small gift from Bath and North East Somerset
Council.
We will play the
National Anthem
Both forms of words for taking or affirming the oath, accomplish
exactly the same thing, promising that you will give your
allegiance to the Crown. The only difference between the two is
that the oath is based upon religious principles and the
affirmation is not. You should indicate your preference for
either the oath or affirmation on the enclosed questionnaire. So
that we can ensure that we have the correct form of words ready for
you at the ceremony. If you wish to swear the oath while
holding a holy book you should bring one to the ceremony with
you. The words used for the pledge of loyalty will be the
same whether you swear or affirm allegiance.
On
your arrival at the ceremony we will give you a personalised copy
of the oath or affirmation, depending on your choice, and the
pledge to use during the ceremony.
Your guests can take photographs during the ceremony, but we do ask
that they remain seated whilst doing so out of courtesy to the
other guests. You are not permitted to take photographs of
other applicants or guests without their permission.
Following the ceremony light refreshments will be served and you
will have the opportunity to take further photographs.
