council or HO fault?

[clawsie]

Got my naturalisation approval on 8/1, contacted the council but they had not received my citizenship certificate yet.
Fast forward to today: after enquiring with HO, they said my certificate was sent to Council on 5/1!!!
So either council has lost it, or HO has lied.
What to do now? Would HO issue a duplicate?
Anyone been thru something similar? I have my MPs team on the case as well.

[contorted_svy]

Does the council have your certificate now? You have 90 days to attend the ceremony so there might be the possibility they track it down and you can attend the ceremony. Suggest you tell HO the council denies having the certificate and urge them to chase. Suggest also raising a complaint.

[clawsie]

Hi,
No, council hasn't got it. Someone from HO is chasing them for me. They've been quite helpful so far.
If it isn't found at the council, do you think HO could issue a duplicate?
Do you have an email address who to complain to, please?

[contorted_svy]

I wouldn't know about that, you'd need to ask the HO. It could have been somehow lost in transport. The complaints procedure is outlined here https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

[secret.simon]

Worth checking with the Home Office which council the certificate was sent to.

We had an issue a few years ago where the certificate should have been sent to a council in London, but was instead sent to a similarly named council in Wales.

[clawsie]

OMG really? What happened then? Did the Welsh council return the cert, or did HO issue a duplicate?

[AmazonianX]

OMG really? What happened then? Did the Welsh council return the cert, or did HO issue a duplicate?

Get In Touch with HO to ask your questions/clarify first lest you become bogged down by what does not apply to your situation.

[contorted_svy]

I have just compiled a guide of steps to take if there are issues with applications - here it is:

british-citizenship/6-months-plus-waiti ... 43483.html

Definitely raise a complaint and ask them what council was it sent to, and if it's not resolved, keep escalating.

[clawsie]

OMG really? What happened then? Did the Welsh council return the cert, or did HO issue a duplicate?

Get In Touch with HO to ask your questions/clarify first lest you become bogged down by what does not apply to your situation.

I have, and with MP as well. Just curious, that's all. No need for judgement.

[clawsie]

I have just compiled a guide of steps to take if there are issues with applications - here it is:

british-citizenship/6-months-plus-waiti ... 43483.html

Definitely raise a complaint and ask them what council was it sent to, and if it's not resolved, keep escalating.

I now have 2 people looking into it, one from HO the other from MPs team. Wonder how long to give them before making a complaint.
It was sent to the correct council on 5 January, so I guess lost in the post.

[contorted_svy]

I'd give them a week, if it's been established it was lost in transport you can ask HO to issue a duplicate and give you 90 days from when the council receives the new certificate to attend. I would suggest you say this to them, if you haven't already, and in 7-10 days you lodge a complaint if they don't reassure you a new certificate is being sent. Quite upsetting it has taken a month already without this being picked up and resolved.

[clawsie]

Exactly this, v. upsetting & stressful esp. after waiting 9 months for approval! Sometimes I wish I hadn't bothered
I'll do exactly what you suggest, wait a week then complain/escalate.
Also thank you very much for compiling the 6 months+ guide, very helpful

[clawsie]

Breaking news: Council has now found my certificate, and ceremony booked for end of Feb! YAY!!!!

[contorted_svy]

Congratulations!!

[AmazonianX]

Breaking news: Council has now found my certificate, and ceremony booked for end of Feb! YAY!!!!

Congratulations