Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[jasmine89]

I just received my ceremony invitation via email, I was approved in October 20th and been waiting for so long. This morning about 2am I had to send an email adress. nationalityfrontendtechnicalspecialists@homeoffice.gov.uk. And I got a reply that they would get back to me with 20 working days.And about 11:30 this morning I received the invitation via email .Is there anyone know how Manchester council do about the ceremony,please kindly get back.I wish everyone best of luck.

Congrats on the invitation letter. I emailed them but got a generic response saying this is not a general correspondence email, if we have not contacted you this email will be deleted? What did you put in the subject? I put my application ref in the subject.

[Musti]

So if you attend in person, you'll receive the certificate the very same day on the spot?

Yes.

Hey bro,
Since we are in the same situation I have a question to ask and I hope you could give me all the info available. I basically need to travel as soon ad possible but I'd rather get this over and done with before so I can use the British passport finally.

On the day we go, is it possible to apply for the passport on the very same day? I mean if they give you the certificate, can I go from the registry office straight the post office and send off the application.
What do I need to bring with me so I can go straight to the post office?
Also what documents do I give back to the Home Office because I could do that also while there?

[CULLINAN]

So if you attend in person, you'll receive the certificate the very same day on the spot?

Yes.

Hey bro,
Since we are in the same situation I have a question to ask and I hope you could give me all the info available. I basically need to travel as soon ad possible but I'd rather get this over and done with before so I can use the British passport finally.

On the day we go, is it possible to apply for the passport on the very same day? I mean if they give you the certificate, can I go from the registry office straight the post office and send off the application.
What do I need to bring with me so I can go straight to the post office?
Also what documents do I give back to the Home Office because I could do that also while there?

Yes you can apply for a British Passport the same day after you attend the ceremony and have the certificate in hand. Ideally you should make an application online. First, you make an online application, then you ask someone to confirm your identity online and then you post your original documents to HMPO.
You will need your original naturalisation certificate and current home country’s passport (or Home Office Travel Document - or none if you are a refugee).

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-pa ... ply-online

https://www.gov.uk/confirm-identity-onl ... pplication

PS Given corona, you should make an online application only.

[Musti]

So if you attend in person, you'll receive the certificate the very same day on the spot?

Yes.

Hey bro,
Since we are in the same situation I have a question to ask and I hope you could give me all the info available. I basically need to travel as soon ad possible but I'd rather get this over and done with before so I can use the British passport finally.

On the day we go, is it possible to apply for the passport on the very same day? I mean if they give you the certificate, can I go from the registry office straight the post office and send off the application.
What do I need to bring with me so I can go straight to the post office?
Also what documents do I give back to the Home Office because I could do that also while there?

Yes you can apply for a British Passport the same day after you attend the ceremony and have the certificate in hand. Ideally you should make an application online. First, you make an online application, then you ask someone to confirm your identity online and then you post your original documents to HMPO.
You will need your original naturalisation certificate and current home country’s passport (or Home Office Travel Document - or none if you are a refugee).

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-pa ... ply-online

Thank you bro, I have a travel document from the Home Office but I am a refugee, also a BRP. Can I fill out the application and finish it before getting the naturalisation certificate or is it possible to fill it out in my car? Lol I am just confused about someone confirming my identity, I assume you want to do the same thing like me right?

[CULLINAN]

@musti
You can not save the passport application. You have to fill it and pay in one go. Then you have to follow the next steps. You will have to arrange someone to confirm your identity online as per the above guidance. That person will be sent an email and he/she will confirm your identity online - will take only 5min. You will only be instructed to post your documents to HMPO after that step is complete.

All you need to send HMPO is:
1) Your original naturalisation certificate
2) Original HOTD

Add a cover letter and mention that your Home Country Passport is with HO itself (?). Also state that you are returning your HOTD. HMPO will retain your HOTD after BP issued. They will send your HOTD to TDS Croydon for safe destruction and issue you with a letter also.

You will have to separately return your ILR BRP within 5 days after attending the ceremony. The instructions and address to return is mentioned on the ceremony invitation letter itself.

What date is your ceremony?

[Musti]

@musti
You can not save the passport application. You have to fill it and pay in one go. Then you have to follow the next steps. You will have to arrange someone to confirm your identity online as per the above guidance. That person will be sent an email and he/she will confirm your identity online - will take only 5min. You will only be instructed to post your documents to HMPO after that step is complete.

All you need to send HMPO is:
1) Your original naturalisation certificate
2) Original HOTD

Add a cover letter and mention that your Home Country Passport is with HO itself (?). Also state that you are returning your HOTD. HMPO will retain your HOTD after BP issued. They will send your HOTD to TDS Croydon for safe destruction and issue you with a letter also.

You will have to separately return your ILR BRP within 5 days after attending the ceremony. The instructions and address to return is mentioned on the ceremony invitation letter itself.

What date is your ceremony?

12th January. I am thinking of making my passport application now

[CULLINAN]

OR you can simply wait till your British Passport is issued and return both ILR BRP and HOTD yourself to Croydon. The only issue is that you have to return your ILR BRP by law within 5 days so best action would be as I stated above. Otherwise you can follow as the ceremony invitation letter states:

Your BRP card should be cut in half and posted (in a windowless plain envelope) to Biometric Product Returns, IFB, 5th floor Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR9 2BY. The postage is not refundable.

If you have any travel documents issued by the Home Office, including expired documents, they should be returned to the Home Office in the same envelope for official cancellation. Include a note stating that you are now a British Citizen and tell us if you would like the travel document returned once cancelled

If you hold refugee status in the UK, you will lose this status once you become a British citizen.

[CULLINAN]

12th January. I am thinking of making my passport application now

You can NOT make a passport application now before you attend the ceremony. You were offered 12th Jan even when you booked after me lucky you! I was offered 15th Jan!!

But well we are close now.

Please let me know how it goes on 12th as mine is on 15th Jan!

[Musti]

12th January. I am thinking of making my passport application now

You can NOT make a passport application now before you attend the ceremony. You were offered 12th Jan even when you booked after me lucky you! I was offered 15th Jan!!

But well we are close now.

Please let me know how it goes on 12th as mine is on 15th Jan!

Inn shaa Allah, I'll defo let you know, I think it was due to cancellations or something because when I asked for an earlier date she was not having it. Well I will apply on the day and send BRP myself or something.

[CULLINAN]

12th January. I am thinking of making my passport application now

You can NOT make a passport application now before you attend the ceremony. You were offered 12th Jan even when you booked after me lucky you! I was offered 15th Jan!!

But well we are close now.

Please let me know how it goes on 12th as mine is on 15th Jan!

Inn shaa Allah, I'll defo let you know, I think it was due to cancellations or something because when I asked for an earlier date she was not having it. Well I will apply on the day and send BRP myself or something.

Pls Let me know if they contact you. We are yet to see if they change your ceremony to virtual ceremony like in @Nature11’s case. You will know before I know as you are on 12th.

[PhantomPermit]

@musti
You can not save the passport application. You have to fill it and pay in one go. Then you have to follow the next steps. You will have to arrange someone to confirm your identity online as per the above guidance. That person will be sent an email and he/she will confirm your identity online - will take only 5min. You will only be instructed to post your documents to HMPO after that step is complete.

All you need to send HMPO is:
1) Your original naturalisation certificate
2) Original HOTD

Add a cover letter and mention that your Home Country Passport is with HO itself (?). Also state that you are returning your HOTD. HMPO will retain your HOTD after BP issued. They will send your HOTD to TDS Croydon for safe destruction and issue you with a letter also.

You will have to separately return your ILR BRP within 5 days after attending the ceremony. The instructions and address to return is mentioned on the ceremony invitation letter itself.

What date is your ceremony?

Do we have to give interview as part of the passport application? and how long does it take to process the passport application once submitted?

[CULLINAN]

@musti
You can not save the passport application. You have to fill it and pay in one go. Then you have to follow the next steps. You will have to arrange someone to confirm your identity online as per the above guidance. That person will be sent an email and he/she will confirm your identity online - will take only 5min. You will only be instructed to post your documents to HMPO after that step is complete.

All you need to send HMPO is:
1) Your original naturalisation certificate
2) Original HOTD

Add a cover letter and mention that your Home Country Passport is with HO itself (?). Also state that you are returning your HOTD. HMPO will retain your HOTD after BP issued. They will send your HOTD to TDS Croydon for safe destruction and issue you with a letter also.

You will have to separately return your ILR BRP within 5 days after attending the ceremony. The instructions and address to return is mentioned on the ceremony invitation letter itself.

What date is your ceremony?

Do we have to give interview as part of the passport application? and how long does it take to process the passport application once submitted?

Interview is very rare. Even if someone is called for an interview it is nothing to worry about. It is only to confirm identity if HMPO has any doubts. Nothing else. Normally these days BP processing time is 2-4 weeks if there is no interview.

Please let us continue in this thread only about ceremony related queries and not discuss off topic questions. If you have any passport related questions please start a new thread. Thanks

[Bengomango]

@musti
You can not save the passport application. You have to fill it and pay in one go. Then you have to follow the next steps. You will have to arrange someone to confirm your identity online as per the above guidance. That person will be sent an email and he/she will confirm your identity online - will take only 5min. You will only be instructed to post your documents to HMPO after that step is complete.

All you need to send HMPO is:
1) Your original naturalisation certificate
2) Original HOTD

Add a cover letter and mention that your Home Country Passport is with HO itself (?). Also state that you are returning your HOTD. HMPO will retain your HOTD after BP issued. They will send your HOTD to TDS Croydon for safe destruction and issue you with a letter also.

You will have to separately return your ILR BRP within 5 days after attending the ceremony. The instructions and address to return is mentioned on the ceremony invitation letter itself.

What date is your ceremony?

hi Culinan please cab you tell me what is HOTD and the visa that i entered the uk with was in my old passport and i have now new ... so sould i sent both passports ? thanks alot

[CULLINAN]

hi Culinan please cab you tell me what is HOTD and the visa that i entered the uk with was in my old passport and i have now new ... so sould i sent both passports ? thanks alot

HOTD is Home Office Travel Document which is issued to Refugees.

Your Home Country’s Current Passport alone and any uncanceled passport(s) - (if any) are enough.

[Bengomango]

OK so should i send both passport the one i entered with and the current one ? thanks

[CULLINAN]

OK so should i send both passport the one i entered with and the current one ? thanks

Your Home Country’s Current Passport alone and any uncanceled passport(s) - (if any) are enough.

[Bengomango]

i am not a refugee thanks

[Bengomango]

ok so i will send both the one i entered with and the currrent one

[Bengomango]

hi guys any one have a coming up group ceremony anywhere ? thanks ?

[mrmo93]

Fingers crossed for tomorrow guys! hopefully a lot of you will get the invitation and they will get back to me about the email

[CULLINAN]

Calls grow for a National Lockdown and school closures. Hope that does not affect ceremonies

[Kay100]

Fingers crossed for tomorrow guys! hopefully a lot of you will get the invitation and they will get back to me about the email

If it comes through tomorrow as you suggested, I owe you a drink/meal

[mrmo93]

Fingers crossed for tomorrow guys! hopefully a lot of you will get the invitation and they will get back to me about the email

If it comes through tomorrow as you suggested, I owe you a drink/meal

Thank you I would love to!

[Bengomango]

Hi guys . My group ceremony is cancelled it supposed to be at 9th January ... Nottingham? Is there anyone in Nottingham city council ? Also they donot have any private or virtual ceremonies ? Is there anybody is with Nottingham
City council ?

[Bengomango]

is anyone have a planned group ceremony coming up early january ?