Can one attend a citizenship ceremony at a different local authority?

[Simplyhuman]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been answered before, but don’t seem to find any info around this!

Email containing Citizenship Approval and Invitation to book ceremony has been received, suggesting to book the ceremony with the local authority that was selected as the preferred option on the application form.

Upon checking with that same local authority, the next ceremony they have is for end of Sep 2022 i.e. approx. 2 months time.

• Is it a must that one has to attend the ceremony with that same local authority, or is it OK to book with a different local authority if they have an earlier date/ceremony available?

• Will they have the details for the applicant available to them or will the home office have only sent that info to the preferred local authority from the application form?

Ideally, wanted to get sorted asap so can apply for the passport at the earliest for upcoming travel plans soon!

Thanks in advance for any relevant information!

[alterhase58]

Generally not recommended. Your local authority will have to return your certificate to the Home Office and they will then liaise with the other council. With every process being very slow these days youy might still end up waiting til September or even longer. Others may have had experience of this. I'd stick with the secure booking you have - remember you can still travel on your national passport and BRP, you are British only from the date of the ceremony..

[Simplyhuman]

Generally not recommended. Your local authority will have to return your certificate to the Home Office and they will then liaise with the other council. With every process being very slow these days youy might still end up waiting til September or even longer. Others may have had experience of this. I'd stick with the secure booking you have - remember you can still travel on your national passport and BRP, you are British only from the date of the ceremony..

Thank you. I think I kind of suspected that to be the case but thought of checking if someone has had this experience!

Bit of a shame but it is what it is I guess, especially when the local authority can charge the amount that they do for a private ceremony option!