Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[baybars1]

Thanks. Sure I already posted about it on Tuesday when my council received the certificate but the dates are:
- Applied 8 February
- Approved 12 June
- Council received Certificate 6 October
- Ceremony Booked on 6 October
- Invitation received today (8 October)
- date on the invitation: 22 September.
Council: Camden.

Ceremony date is currently 15 October (private) but I emailed them to see if they have any earlier ones given I now have the certificate.

Well done and thanks for the update!

[baybars1]

Here is the list of members whose invites have arrived, as well as three members whose certificates are with the local council, but the invites are yet to be received (in red font). It would be great if they could update us here as soon as the letters are in.

Actual Approval Date ----- Actual Letter Date -------- Username
14/05/2020 ------------------ 07/09/2020 ------------------ 38j
14/05/2020 ------------------ 07/09/2020 ------------------ madihaali_304
20/05/2020 ------------------ 08/09/2020 ------------------ Anatol
20/05/2020 ------------------ 14/09/2020 ------------------ hassanwaheed87
20/05/2020 ------------------ 08/09/2020 ------------------ atam91
21/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ apostrophe 
21/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ Ade1111
22/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ dapto10
26/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ ummalido
26/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ bppartnerclub
27/05/2020 ------------------ 09/09/2020 ------------------ user5877
29/05/2020 ------------------ 01/09/2020 ------------------ Humble123
29/05/2020 ------------------ 14/09/2020 ------------------ Lopand 
01/06/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ AlexGo 
01/06/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ Pinkoojee17
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ I'mInMyPJ's 
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ slavipg
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ serg_ko
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ b41
03/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ Learning18 
04/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ beaujam90
05/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ jovaknokovich
05/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ zcranso
08/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ Xmz12x 
08/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ Doc2020
09/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ adubeys2020 
10/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- Stef03
10/06/2020 ------------------ 21/09/2020 ------------------ mrduplicity
12/06/2020 ------------------ 22/09/2020 ------------------ uuee6543
14/06/2020 ------------------ 22/09/2020 ------------------ Haider
16/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- sickmusic
18/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- Ghenso

[baybars1]

Also, according to the model, those approved from late June to the middle of July should have their invites printed by tomorrow and they receive the letters by the end of this month. Let's see if this projection holds.

Approval Date - Letter date - - - Letter arrives
22/06/2020 - - - 28/09/2020 - - - 18/10/2020
29/06/2020 - - - 01/10/2020 - - - 21/10/2020
01/07/2020 - - - 02/10/2020 - - - 22/10/2020
08/07/2020 - - - 06/10/2020 - - - 26/10/2020
15/07/2020 - - - 09/10/2020 - - - 29/10/2020
22/07/2020 - - - 14/10/2020 - - - 03/11/2020
29/07/2020 - - - 16/10/2020 - - - 05/11/2020
01/08/2020 - - - 19/10/2020 - - - 08/11/2020
08/08/2020 - - - 22/10/2020 - - - 11/11/2020
15/08/2020 - - - 27/10/2020 - - - 16/11/2020
22/08/2020 - - - 29/10/2020 - - - 18/11/2020
29/08/2020 - - - 03/11/2020 - - - 23/11/2020
01/09/2020 - - - 04/11/2020 - - - 24/11/2020
08/09/2020 - - - 06/11/2020 - - - 26/11/2020
15/09/2020 - - - 11/11/2020 - - - 01/12/2020
22/09/2020 - - - 16/11/2020 - - - 06/12/2020
29/09/2020 - - - 18/11/2020 - - - 08/12/2020
01/10/2020 - - - 19/11/2020 - - - 09/12/2020
08/10/2020 - - - 24/11/2020 - - - 14/12/2020
15/10/2020 - - - 27/11/2020 - - - 17/12/2020
22/10/2020 - - - 01/12/2020 - - - 21/12/2020
29/10/2020 - - - 04/12/2020 - - - 24/12/2020
01/11/2020 - - - 04/12/2020 - - - 24/12/2020
08/11/2020 - - - 09/12/2020 - - - 29/12/2020
15/11/2020 - - - 14/12/2020 - - - 03/01/2021
22/11/2020 - - - 16/12/2020 - - - 05/01/2021
29/11/2020 - - - 21/12/2020 - - - 10/01/2021
01/12/2020 - - - 22/12/2020 - - - 11/01/2021
08/12/2020 - - - 25/12/2020 - - - 14/01/2021
15/12/2020 - - - 29/12/2020 - - - 18/01/2021
22/12/2020 - - - 01/01/2021 - - - 21/01/2021
29/12/2020 - - - 05/01/2021 - - - 25/01/2021
02/01/2021 - - - 07/01/2021 - - - 27/01/2021
08/01/2021 - - - 12/01/2021 - - - 01/02/2021
15/01/2021 - - - 15/01/2021 - - - 04/02/2021

[Stef03]

Morning all

Didn’t get my invitation letter yet (approved June 10th). However I emailed the registrars office last evening (Hertfordshire) and apparently they already have my certificate. See below email reply. I will give them a call to see if they can book me in the absence of the invitation letter

“Good Morning

Thank you for your email.

With reference to your enquiry, it does appear that we do have you on our system, if you would like to contact the office on 0300 123 4045 after 9am and we can then book your Citizenship Ceremony for you.”

Just to follow up with the post above, I called the register office and they booked me for private ceremony tomorrow morning, without the invitation letter

Great news! Congratulations.
Hope it all goes well. I am a Hertfordshire constituent too so glad to see that the registrars office is acting in a pragmatic manner and proceeding with the ceremony without an invitation letter. Let us know how it goes

Hi there

I had my ceremony this morning, got my certificate and now I’m officially British Citizen.
My heart stopped for a second this morning when I got there and the gentleman conducting the ceremony asked for my letters. When I told him that I don’t have it, however this fact was mentioned over the phone when I booked and been told that is ok, he went in the other offices to check and when he came back he said is fine. I was done with my ceremony in about 10 minutes and off I was. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope your final journey to be as smooth as mine. Bless you all

I will update you with the dates for the letter ( day received and date on the letter) if I will ever get it

Regards

[Runner12345]

Here is the list of members whose invites have arrived, as well as three members whose certificates are with the local council, but the invites are yet to be received (in red font). It would be great if they could update us here as soon as the letters are in.

Actual Approval Date ----- Actual Letter Date -------- Username
14/05/2020 ------------------ 07/09/2020 ------------------ 38j
14/05/2020 ------------------ 07/09/2020 ------------------ madihaali_304
20/05/2020 ------------------ 08/09/2020 ------------------ Anatol
20/05/2020 ------------------ 14/09/2020 ------------------ hassanwaheed87
20/05/2020 ------------------ 08/09/2020 ------------------ atam91
21/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ apostrophe 
21/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ Ade1111
22/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ dapto10
26/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ ummalido
26/05/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ bppartnerclub
27/05/2020 ------------------ 09/09/2020 ------------------ user5877
29/05/2020 ------------------ 01/09/2020 ------------------ Humble123
29/05/2020 ------------------ 14/09/2020 ------------------ Lopand 
01/06/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ AlexGo 
01/06/2020 ------------------ 10/09/2020 ------------------ Pinkoojee17
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ I'mInMyPJ's 
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ slavipg
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ serg_ko
02/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ b41
03/06/2020 ------------------ 19/09/2020 ------------------ Learning18 
04/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ beaujam90
05/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ jovaknokovich
05/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ zcranso
08/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ Xmz12x 
08/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ Doc2020
09/06/2020 ------------------ 20/09/2020 ------------------ adubeys2020 
10/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- Stef03
10/06/2020 ------------------ 21/09/2020 ------------------ mrduplicity
12/06/2020 ------------------ 22/09/2020 ------------------ uuee6543
14/06/2020 ------------------ 22/09/2020 ------------------ Haider
16/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- sickmusic
18/06/2020 ------------------ ??/??/???? --------------------- Ghenso

Just to add: approved 12 June. Certificate with council but I do not have a letter yet, hoping for tomorrow maybe.

[Amine_Bristol]

Hello all!

I have been following this thread (without registering) since June! As I now have news that can be useful for others, I thought I'll register and post on here.

OK so here is my time line:
- applied online: March 2020
- biometrics: June 2020
- approval via email: 17 June 2020
- council received my certificate: 7 October 2020
- private ceremony booked for: 9 October 2020
Council = Bristol.

For the group ceremonies, the earliest date they had was 5 November 2020.

I also still haven't received the letter from the Home Office but Bristol Council is happy to proceed with the ceremony regardless, thankfully!

I hope this helps. Good luck to everyone waiting!

[justaquery]

@amine_bristol can you please confirm if Bristol council contacted you automatically when they got your certificate or did you have to email them?

I am with Bristol council too and waiting for my invite letter.

[Soo123]

Hi Baybar1

Your model is spot on thumbs up for you

[baybars1]

Hi Baybar1

Your model is spot on thumbs up for you

Many thanks for your kind note.

[VulgarisMagistralis]

Approval Date - Letter date - - - Letter arrives
(...)
15/12/2020 - - - 29/12/2020 - - - 18/01/2021
22/12/2020 - - - 01/01/2021 - - - 21/01/2021
29/12/2020 - - - 05/01/2021 - - - 25/01/2021
02/01/2021 - - - 07/01/2021 - - - 27/01/2021
08/01/2021 - - - 12/01/2021 - - - 01/02/2021
15/01/2021 - - - 15/01/2021 - - - 04/02/2021

Oh no, every time I look at the newest statistical extrapolation I find out that my letter will arrive later than before...

[Chuga]

I have been following your posts for a while now. You are a very helpful individual. God bless you.
I have had my approval on 15 August am yet to receive an invite and I reckon it will be awhile.

[BoyTed]

Hi Baybar1

Your model is spot on thumbs up for you

Many thanks for your kind note.

Baybar1 iam so happy you in this forum.
We really appreciate you as we feel lost sometimes and you steer us back on track.
Kudos amigo

[rayyfar]

I second that.
Your model has given many of us alot of well needed hope and positive attitude in this time of need may you always stay blessed
thanks Baybar1

[uuee6543]

@baybars1 many thanks for your model, the timing was really on point for all of us.

Also as a separate update my original private ceremony date was 15 October but yesterday my council (Camden) replied to my email and it turns out they had group ceremonies (!) available on the 14th! So now my ceremony is one day earlier and it is a group ceremony so it’s free

[baybars1]

Thank you all for your kind words

[Chuga]

Hi everyone,

Is anyone here from Bolton Council, am trying to work out what’s happening there because i rang them and they were not helpful at all. Not sure if they are conducting group / private ceremonies.

I had my approval on 19th August. As fa as i can see on this thread the invitations are for June and not even July. Has anyone from August approval dates receive invitation?

Baybars1 as per your model when do I expect to receive invitation? Timeline:

Application by post sent - 18/01/20

Fee collected on 29/01/20

Acknowledgement letter/ BRP received on 31/01/2020

Completed BRP on 10/02/2020

On 22/08/20 - approval letter received dated 19/08/20

Thanks in advance

[Jayrose17]

Thank you baybars1
Legend. Your timelines were very helpful and encouraging to alot of us who thought this would never end.
My private ceremony at 12.00 today.

[baybars1]

Hi everyone,

Is anyone here from Bolton Council, am trying to work out what’s happening there because i rang them and they were not helpful at all. Not sure if they are conducting group / private ceremonies.

I had my approval on 19th August. As fa as i can see on this thread the invitations are for June and not even July. Has anyone from August approval dates receive invitation?

Baybars1 as per your model when do I expect to receive invitation? Timeline:

Application by post sent - 18/01/20

Fee collected on 29/01/20

Acknowledgement letter/ BRP received on 31/01/2020

Completed BRP on 10/02/2020

On 22/08/20 - approval letter received dated 19/08/20

Thanks in advance

First, congrats on your approval, that is an important milestone.

As for the next step, yes I am afraid that you might have to wait a few more weeks until you can book your ceremony. The model suggests that your invitation should be printed on or about 28 October and it should reach you by 17 November 2020.

Incidentally, there are some members who whose approvals were confirmed in August or even September and their invitations have come in already. However, the real timing of those approvals would have been much earlier than the date written on the approval letter/email. That is may be the case is also evidenced by some members on this forum having received only the invitation letter, as two-in-one kind of thing.

At first I thought that you might be amongst the ones who are being expedited, because your approval letter has come by post, but on closer inspection, that may be because your application had been sent by post as well.

I know that this piece of hindsight is perhaps not very helpful, but had you sent your application online, you might have been approved and received your invite in late February and either become citizen in March or in July/August, as you would have been pretty much the first in line once they restarted the ceremonies. By sending the paper form, you made it impossible for people to approve you while working from home, which was quite a problem early on in the lockdown.

Be that as it may, I wish you best of luck and please do keep us posted.

[baybars1]

Thank you baybars1
Legend. Your timelines were very helpful and encouraging to alot of us who thought this would never end.
My private ceremony at 12.00 today.

Many thanks and congratulations! I am glad to hear that it has all worked out well for you despite the complications about the change of address.

By the way, it was indeed interesting that you got your invitation emailed to you. I think that they should do it for everyone, as the certificates tend arrive before the invitation letters. Anyway, welcome to the club UK!

[raij]

Quick question - is there anyone who has their approval at the very start of June and still waiting for their invitation ? . Besides being with a constant contact with local register office that still doesn't have my paperwork , if there anything else i could do to actually find out when will my invite will be printed ? i know h.o. has set up time frame to catch up with the backlog will end of oct - tahts what i been told via phone call .
Thank you

[zoltan_the_conqueror]

My MiL was approved in early June, still nothing. Just contacted council (Bucks) and they said they've received nothing yet.

[Finddd]

@baybars1 many thanks for your model, the timing was really on point for all of us.

Also as a separate update my original private ceremony date was 15 October but yesterday my council (Camden) replied to my email and it turns out they had group ceremonies (!) available on the 14th! So now my ceremony is one day earlier and it is a group ceremony so it’s free

This is great news. Congratulations

[raij]

My MiL was approved in early June, still nothing. Just contacted council (Bucks) and they said they've received nothing yet.

Glad is not just me , i was began to worry .

[baybars1]

Quick question - is there anyone who has their approval at the very start of June and still waiting for their invitation ? . Besides being with a constant contact with local register office that still doesn't have my paperwork , if there anything else i could do to actually find out when will my invite will be printed ? i know h.o. has set up time frame to catch up with the backlog will end of oct - tahts what i been told via phone call .
Thank you

Sorry to hear about your delay. The only thing I can suggest, and this is not a guarantee, just an idea - is to write a formal letter to the Citizenship Ceremonies Support Team (CCST) in early November.

Based on my understanding, CSST are part of the Nationality Group, whose Managed Migration Support Unit receives your application and makes the decision. In the event of a positive decision, the case is passed onto the CSST, who are responsible for printing and despatch of citizenship certificates, as well the part of the admin work regarding the ceremonies that falls within the remit the Home Office.

The only source I can find to confirm what I am saying is a little old unfortunately, from 2010, so it might be worth your while to try and find the most up-to-date info on how to get in touch with CSST (and also share their contact address and website link on this forum, if you unearth it, say on UK.gov website and their more recently published documents).

Meanwhile, this is the link I have, which is, as I said, from as far back as ten years ago:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... p_2010.pdf

[raij]

Quick question - is there anyone who has their approval at the very start of June and still waiting for their invitation ? . Besides being with a constant contact with local register office that still doesn't have my paperwork , if there anything else i could do to actually find out when will my invite will be printed ? i know h.o. has set up time frame to catch up with the backlog will end of oct - tahts what i been told via phone call .
Thank you

Sorry to hear about your delay. The only thing I can suggest, and this is not a guarantee, just an idea - is to write a formal letter to the Citizenship Ceremonies Support Team (CCST) in early November.

Based on my understanding, CSST are part of the Nationality Group, whose Managed Migration Support Unit receives your application and makes the decision. In the event of a positive decision, the case is passed onto the CSST, who are responsible for printing and despatch of citizenship certificates, as well the part of the admin work regarding the ceremonies that falls within the remit the Home Office.

The only source I can find to confirm what I am saying is a little old unfortunately, from 2010, so it might be worth your while to try and find the most up-to-date info on how to get in touch with CSST (and also share their contact address and website link on this forum, if you unearth it, say on UK.gov website and their more recently published documents).

Meanwhile, this is the link I have, which is, as I said, from as far back as ten years ago:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... p_2010.pdf

Thank you so much , i really hope that they hurry up and send it , this is just my luck always waitiong forever on things and last in line