Citizenship ceremony guidance notes
The final part of becoming a British citizen is for you to attend a citizenship ceremony.
Who should attend a ceremony
Every successful applicant aged over 18 is required to attend a ceremony.
Children under 18 who have applied with their parents may attend a ceremony with other members of the family to collect their certificate. They do not have to take the Oath/Affirmation or Pledge, but may do so. If they do not attend the ceremony, another family member may collect their certificate.
Guests can come to your ceremony, but normally only two will be allowed. If you would like more guests to attend, please discuss this when you arrange the ceremony.
What happens at the ceremony
During the ceremony, you will have to say either the Oath or the Affirmation of allegiance to His Majesty the King and the Pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. This is a formal promise to His Majesty the King and the United Kingdom.
You may make the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge either in English or Welsh.
Oath of allegiance
I, (name), swear by Almighty God that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.
Affirmation of allegiance
I, (name), do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British Citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his Heirs and Successors, according to law.
Pledge
I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.
We recommend that you practise saying the words beforehand. But don’t worry, this isn’t a memory test. Cards with the words of the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge printed on them will be given out at the ceremony. The person conducting the ceremony will say the words a few at a time and ask you to repeat them after him or her.
After making the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge, you will be presented with your certificate.
In our ceremonies, a group of people will take the Oath (or Affirmation) and Pledge together.
If you do not want to be a part of a group ceremony or wish to attend quickly, then you may need to pay extra for an individual ceremony. We are unable to arrange a private ceremony unless you have already been booked into a group ceremony with us.
What you must do now
- Check that the details on the ceremony invitation, which will be on your certificate, are correct. If any of the details are incorrect, you should still arrange and attend the ceremony. If your certificate needs amending, you should return this after attending the ceremony to:
UKVI
Department 201
The Capital Building
Liverpool
L3 9PP - Keep your invitation letter or email safe. You must bring it to the ceremony. If you do not, your ceremony will be postponed.
Additional information
Your certificate of registration or naturalisation constitutes legal evidence of your acquisition of British citizenship and should be carefully preserved. It must not be unofficially altered or laminated, as in this condition it will not be accepted as evidence of citizenship by His Majesty’s Passport Office.
You should note that the HM Passport Office will not issue a British passport under a name that differs from any other passport or travel document a person holds.
This is to ensure consistency with the identities in the British passport and any other passport or travel document. If the details on your citizenship certificate and foreign passport do not match, you will need to change your foreign passport to your new name before applying for a British passport.
To check if you can become a citizen
Page last updated: 31 October 2025
