Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Sufian_Fares]

My invitation letter finally arrived yesterday, on the last day of the 12th week after approval!

Application date: 15/04/20.
Approval date: 16/11/20.
Date printed on letter: 25/01/21.
Date letter received by post: 05/02/21.

My ceremony is with Haringey council. I requested one yesterday for Friday 12/02 through their online ceremony booking tool, and will follow up with a phone call on Monday to confirm the date. They do virtual ceremonies through MS teams according to their website (Fridays only).

Thanks for everyone’s input on this thread, it really has helped a lot. Wishing you luck with your applications

The council have come back to me regarding my electronic query and have booked a ceremony for 17/02/21. It will be via MS teams and it is free (there was no mention of a charge at any stage of the booking process).

I would suggest applicants complain to their local MP about the additional charges some councils are enforcing for ceremonies. It clearly states in the application that the ceremony costs are included with the application fee. Therefore, the legality of charging extra for so called ‘private ceremonies’ really is questionable, and they won’t have a leg to stand on if challenged properly.

[tariq1956]

Just the received the long waited beautiful yellow envelope inviting me to the ceremony!
I was approved on 25/11. Date on the letter is 04/02. Good luck to everyone and wish you get yours very soon.

[Trojanking]

Received invitation letter 13/2/2021
dated 8/feb/21
Approval 23/11/20

I hope it help people who are waiting for ceremony.

[shahkb]

*UPDATE*

Just got a call from a lovely lady from our council (Northumberland County Council) saying they have received my Naturalization certificate and will be sending a letter soon so we can arrange ceremony ASAP. No virtual ceremony. I called them every Friday last 3 weeks so they kept my name and number so they can call me when the certificate arrives.

Application date - 21/09/2020
Approval date - 23/11/2020

I will be updating when I have the letter and ceremony.

So either your council isn't explaining things properly to you, or they have decided to take their own approach. Because 'The Invitation Letter' for everyone else comes directly from the Home Office. Maybe the council was trying to say that because they have received the certificate they think it's likely the HO will send out your invitation letter soon. Or maybe they don't care about the HO letter and will just send their own invitation to you. If it's the latter, that's good news for you.

I will ring them today and get a clarity on this.

Update to follow.

Just rang them. They said they had a ceremony yesterday which has put salt on my wound. Absolutely gutted.

They said they will send a letter on Monday and I will have to ring back and arrange a date for ceremony. Not very clear but looks like they will be doing ceremony without HO letter. They just said bring your passport and the letter which they send.

I will put more info when I get the letter.

*UPDATE*

So yesterday Council called and said they have my certificate

And today I received the HO invitation letter.

Application date - 21/09/2020
Approval date - 23/11/2020
Date on invitation letter - 03/02/2021

I will ring the council on Monday to get a ceremony date ASAP.

Looks like November applicants are getting sorted by mid Feb.

I hope all the OCT applicants get sorted soon

[Kindsoul]

Hi everyone, I have emailed to the home office numerous times to send my invitation letter via email or by post as my local council has received my naturalization certificate. But they are not giving me any reply. Now I have to cancel my citizenship ceremony which is tomorrow.

It is really frustrating now. Can anyone please help me in this matter

Some councils do citizenship ceremonies without the invitation letter, they ask for the approval letter instead. Try that first. If your council refuses, I'd recommend submitting a complaint to the Home Office (https://www.ukvi-complaints.homeoffice.gov.uk/reason) and reaching out to your MP. There is a Home Office hotline for the MPs, so your MP can either force a response from the Home Office or convince your council to do your citizenship ceremony just with the approval letter as other councils do that (apparently invitation letters going astray in the post is a common issue).

Unfortunately, my local council is not doing the Citizenship ceremony without invitation letter. Today they called me and asked about the invitation letter ( which I did not receive so far). Now they have cancelled my oath ceremony and just said they can't help me in this matter.
It is very disappointing.

That's unfortunate. Try submitting a complaint to the HO (they respond within 20 working days) and also send an email to your MP. It's clearly not your fault that you don't have the invitation letter, the HO and maybe the MP can resolve it.

Hi everyone, today I got my invitation letter by post. I got approval on 18th November and my invitation letter dated 30th January 2021 which I received after sending so many emails to home office.
Thank you all for your help and advice

[shahkb]

Some councils do citizenship ceremonies without the invitation letter, they ask for the approval letter instead. Try that first. If your council refuses, I'd recommend submitting a complaint to the Home Office (https://www.ukvi-complaints.homeoffice.gov.uk/reason) and reaching out to your MP. There is a Home Office hotline for the MPs, so your MP can either force a response from the Home Office or convince your council to do your citizenship ceremony just with the approval letter as other councils do that (apparently invitation letters going astray in the post is a common issue).

Unfortunately, my local council is not doing the Citizenship ceremony without invitation letter. Today they called me and asked about the invitation letter ( which I did not receive so far). Now they have cancelled my oath ceremony and just said they can't help me in this matter.
It is very disappointing.

That's unfortunate. Try submitting a complaint to the HO (they respond within 20 working days) and also send an email to your MP. It's clearly not your fault that you don't have the invitation letter, the HO and maybe the MP can resolve it.

Hi everyone, today I got my invitation letter by post. I got approval on 18th November and my invitation letter dated 30th January 2021 which I received after sending so many emails to home office.
Thank you all for your help and advice

Thank goodness for that. So happy for you. Looks like it's a good Saturday. Today eat well, sleep well my friend.

[askmeplz82]

Ealing Council

5 minutes quick ceremony done at the council .

Approval by email : 02/10/2020
Invitation from Home Office by post : 08/12/2020
Letter from council to book ceremony : 03/02/2021
Ceremony : 13/02/2021

[5555dream]

UPDATE

Approval date - 23/11/2020
HO invitation letter dated by 03/02/2021
Letter received - 13/02/2021
Emailed to local council - 13/02/2021

Awaiting for reply/phone call from council with the ceremony date confirmation.

[russn]

Ealing Council

5 minutes quick ceremony done at the council .

Approval by email : 02/10/2020
Invitation from Home Office by post : 08/12/2020
Letter from council to book ceremony : 03/02/2021
Ceremony : 13/02/2021

Congrats ! I sent them an email on Monday and they still haven't come back to me...

[MALCOM2]

Thanks god . I just received my invitation letter today 13 of February by post. Approval date 25 November 2020 . I’m happy right now . Keep watching Royal Mail soon you will get yours .be patient is coming.

[MALCOM2]

Hello Everyone,

I applied on 21 Sep and received the approval on 25 Nov. And sine then I haven't got any update from the council or the HO.

I tried to call the council today but they literally pick up the phone and hang up at the same moment

Has anyone with same approval interval received the invitation yet ? And do you know which dates are the HO currently handling?

Many thanks

Yes I got the same approval as you but I did email Southwark council and the told me that I should phone them on 15 of February to find out if my certificate of naturalisation is been received. I will let you know know the outcome.let keep in touch

Thanks a lot. I will keep you updated as well. But you still haven't received the invitation, correct?

How are you ? Just to let you know that I did received my invitation letter today by post .approval date 25 of November 2020 . Invitation letter received today 13 of February.

[cheeish]

Hi all,

can anyone help me please

i have applied for Naturalization on 30 Oct 2020, biometric submitted in person on 22 Dec 2020, still did not get any reply or approval,

Am i still on normal time frame? and do i get an approval first or council?

Many Thanks

[shahkb]

Hi all,

can anyone help me please

i have applied for Naturalization on 30 Oct 2020, biometric submitted in person on 22 Dec 2020, still did not get any reply or approval,

Am i still on normal time frame? and do i get an approval first or council?

Many Thanks

Please follow this link to have an idea how it will take.
british-citizenship/naturalisation-appl ... 11740.html

Approval from Home Office first then ceremony invitation. For ceremony discussions, you are welcome to ask here.

Thanks

[tariq1956]

Hello Everyone,

I applied on 21 Sep and received the approval on 25 Nov. And sine then I haven't got any update from the council or the HO.

I tried to call the council today but they literally pick up the phone and hang up at the same moment

Has anyone with same approval interval received the invitation yet ? And do you know which dates are the HO currently handling?

Many thanks

Yes I got the same approval as you but I did email Southwark council and the told me that I should phone them on 15 of February to find out if my certificate of naturalisation is been received. I will let you know know the outcome.let keep in touch

Thanks a lot. I will keep you updated as well. But you still haven't received the invitation, correct?

How are you ? Just to let you know that I did received my invitation letter today by post .approval date 25 of November 2020 . Invitation letter received today 13 of February.

Congratulations, I received mine this morning too. I wish good luck we the ceremony and the passport, the journey is almost over.

[Zeeri24]

Hi Everyone Applied: 8th September 2020 Approved 27th November 2020 Invitation: still waiting Ceremony: still waiting Certificate: still waiting Has anyone received Invitation if your approval was on 27th November or after. I did see one post who got approved on 30th November and already received Invitation letter and already booked Ceremony. I believe this could be Home office sending these in random order rather then one fix way. I see some people approved in October still waiting but some got approved in November already got their Invitation letters. Totally strange .

[Karl 123]

I've been a silent reader for a while.
Here's my timeline:
September 28: application submitted
October 23: biometrics
November 23:: Approval
February 13: invitation letter from HO

My borough is Harrow, and their website states all ceremonies are cancelled. Will have to call them on Monday.
Anyone have a clue if they do or don't?
Thanks

[shahkb]

Hi Everyone Applied: 8th September 2020 Approved 27th November 2020 Invitation: still waiting Ceremony: still waiting Certificate: still waiting Has anyone received Invitation if your approval was on 27th November or after. I did see one post who got approved on 30th November and already received Invitation letter and already booked Ceremony. I believe this could be Home office sending these in random order rather then one fix way. I see some people approved in October still waiting but some got approved in November already got their Invitation letters. Totally strange .

The sequence is has been going, seems like you will receive yours between Monday to Saturday. Fingets crossed

[Zeeri24]

Fingers crossed. Thanks Shah

If any updates please keep us posted.

Thank you

[AncientSquash]

Hello Everyone,

I applied on 21 Sep and received the approval on 25 Nov. And sine then I haven't got any update from the council or the HO.

I tried to call the council today but they literally pick up the phone and hang up at the same moment

Has anyone with same approval interval received the invitation yet ? And do you know which dates are the HO currently handling?

Many thanks

Yes I got the same approval as you but I did email Southwark council and the told me that I should phone them on 15 of February to find out if my certificate of naturalisation is been received. I will let you know know the outcome.let keep in touch

Thanks a lot. I will keep you updated as well. But you still haven't received the invitation, correct?

How are you ? Just to let you know that I did received my invitation letter today by post .approval date 25 of November 2020 . Invitation letter received today 13 of February.

Hi Malcolm - congrats on finally receiving your invitation letter. I am still awaiting my invitation letter (applied 8 September 2020; approved 18 November 2020) so hopefully my letter will also come this week judging on your post and another member's posts in relation to Southwark. If it doesn't arrive this week - the 3 month window the Home Office has given as the maximum amount of time it can take will be reached. Can you please kindly share the email address for Southwark council you referred to in your previous post so I can also reach out to them? I went on the Southwark website today but can't see any relevant contact details. Thank you!

[shahkb]

So either your council isn't explaining things properly to you, or they have decided to take their own approach. Because 'The Invitation Letter' for everyone else comes directly from the Home Office. Maybe the council was trying to say that because they have received the certificate they think it's likely the HO will send out your invitation letter soon. Or maybe they don't care about the HO letter and will just send their own invitation to you. If it's the latter, that's good news for you.

I will ring them today and get a clarity on this.

Update to follow.

Just rang them. They said they had a ceremony yesterday which has put salt on my wound. Absolutely gutted.

They said they will send a letter on Monday and I will have to ring back and arrange a date for ceremony. Not very clear but looks like they will be doing ceremony without HO letter. They just said bring your passport and the letter which they send.

I will put more info when I get the letter.

*UPDATE*

So yesterday Council called and said they have my certificate

And today I received the HO invitation letter.

Application date - 21/09/2020
Approval date - 23/11/2020
Date on invitation letter - 03/02/2021

I will ring the council on Monday to get a ceremony date ASAP.

Looks like November applicants are getting sorted by mid Feb.

I hope all the OCT applicants get sorted soon

*Update*

Ceremony booked on 04/03/2020.

My council (Northumberland County Council) don't do Virtual Ceremony. No one allowed except the applicant. It will be in-person ceremony with max 4 people and shorter version with no Mayor.

[stronk]

@shahkb - congrats! So it seems they weren't being clear with you and actually when they said they (the council) would send an invitation letter, they meant that the Home Office would.

I've enquired with Wandsworth council about the cost of ceremonies. They said that these online (I think private) ceremonies are not charged at the moment. That guidance isn't on the website, as far as I can see.

Wandsworth council has told me that they will not allow me to book a ceremony without the Home Office invitation letter, even if they receive my certificate and I do not receive the letter. They also told me: 'It is very uncommon for us to receive a certificate from the Home Office before the customer receives their invitation letter.'

I see previous posts where this has happened. I wonder what their suggestion would be if it does. Presumably they would just tell me to contact the Home Office, and I'd break my head against that brick wall.

I'm still at:

Biometrics: 1 October 2020
Approved (decision letter via e-mail): 18 November 2020
Invitation letter: not received
Certificate: not received by council

Judging from other responses in this thread, I should be expecting an invitation letter very soon.

[yomishu]

Hi

A doubt which I'm hoping someone will be able to help me

I have Got my Approval letter on 9th Feb 2021and i have been reading comments in this page and have seen people who got approval in November 2020 are getting invitation letter in Feb 2021

Any idea how long it takes to get the invitation letter?? Is it 3 months waiting for the invitation letter??

[stronk]

Hi

A doubt which I'm hoping someone will be able to help me

I have Got my Approval letter on 9th Feb 2021and i have been reading comments in this page and have seen people who got approval in November 2020 are getting invitation letter in Feb 2021

Any idea how long it takes to get the invitation letter?? Is it 3 months waiting for the invitation letter??

Currently, yes. The Home Office service standard for this function (printing out and mailing two documents - your certificate to the local council, and an invitation letter to your address) appears to be 12 weeks. So you can expect them to do nothing with your application until 11 weeks, 6 days and 23 hours since your approval, then send these out. It then takes up to another week or two for the mail to actually get out of the Home Office and to your address (and the council).

[MALCOM2]

Yes I got the same approval as you but I did email Southwark council and the told me that I should phone them on 15 of February to find out if my certificate of naturalisation is been received. I will let you know know the outcome.let keep in touch

Thanks a lot. I will keep you updated as well. But you still haven't received the invitation, correct?

How are you ? Just to let you know that I did received my invitation letter today by post .approval date 25 of November 2020 . Invitation letter received today 13 of February.

Hi Malcolm - congrats on finally receiving your invitation letter. I am still awaiting my invitation letter (applied 8 September 2020; approved 18 November 2020) so hopefully my letter will also come this week judging on your post and another member's posts in relation to Southwark. If it doesn't arrive this week - the 3 month window the Home Office has given as the maximum amount of time it can take will be reached. Can you please kindly share the email address for Southwark council you referred to in your previous post so I can also reach out to them? I went on the Southwark website today but can't see any relevant contact details. Thank you!

Yes I just done my ceremony today this morning around 8h30 AM with Southwark council. I received my invitation letter on Saturday 13 of February and I did write a nice Spammy Spammer to a woman call xxxxx and the same Saturday and I attach my invitation letter to the email. And this morning around Monday 15 around 8 am in the morning she email me back that if I can do it on Saturday 20 my virtual ceremony. An I did reply to her that I don’t mind . I did aske her if I can come over to pick my certificate of naturalisation on the same saturday. And she replied to me that the office will be close on Saturday. I email back again what about Monday can I come over to pick it up . And suddenly I got a reply back if I’m free now to do it today ,At that time I was in bed and I jumpe up straight away without brushing or bath . She send me a zoom link and password. I downloaded to my idiot-phone and put my username and password. And we was live . We only take just 5 mn . And after I went straight away to collect it around 1pm .and I send my passport application straight away. You can email xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxl@southwark.gov.uk A wonderful woman anything you want to ask her please don’t hesitate.good luck

[MALCOM2]

And also I forget to mention that the virtual ceremony at Southwark is free of charge. And they give me a nice present, a leather cover for my passport.