Naturalisation - eligible by marriage and 5 years in UK

[stacyf]

Hi
I am hoping to send in my application for naturalisation shortly - I've been in the UK almost 6 years and married a UK citizen just over a year ago - so am eligible on both counts. Is either eligibility criteria better than the other for basing my application on?

Also, I the website and help line say that the average processing time is 14 weeks/6 months - does it really take this long?

Thanks

[paulp]

Hi,

Were you physically present in the UK (no holidays, trips abroad, etc.) both 5 years and 3 years from the date the HO will receive your application? If yes, then you can choose either.

[stacyf]

yep, apart from the short trips out of the country that are allowed (eg nothing longer than 4 weeks at a time or for more than the annual or total limit).

My husband is from Northern Ireland and has an Irish passport but not a UK one - I presume he is still a UK citizen even without a passport?

[paulp]

yep, apart from the short trips out of the country that are allowed (eg nothing longer than 4 weeks at a time or for more than the annual or total limit).

My husband is from Northern Ireland and has an Irish passport but not a UK one - I presume he is still a UK citizen even without a passport?

I meant that the HO does a strict test, say that they got your application on 20/02/08 and you go for the 5 years, you need to have been physically in the country in 20/02/03.

[stacyf]

I'll be able to check for 3 years ago but will have trouble checking an exact date 5 years ago as I had my last passport stolen. How do they check/expect you to prove that you were in the country on a certain date?

[RobinLondon]

My husband is from Northern Ireland and has an Irish passport but not a UK one - I presume he is still a UK citizen even without a passport?

You won't need a UK passport for him if you can get your mitts on his NI-issued birth certificate. That you will need.

[paulp]

I'll be able to check for 3 years ago but will have trouble checking an exact date 5 years ago as I had my last passport stolen. How do they check/expect you to prove that you were in the country on a certain date?

They usually go by the stamps in your passport and Section 2 of the AN form where you will have nicely sorted and tabulated the entries and exits for them.

When passports are lost, they do accept letters from your employer, university, what have you. But if you were in the country 3 years ago, it might be easier to go that way.