How to apply to become a British Citizen.

British citizenship can be acquired in several ways. Some people are British automatically, while others may be entitled to register or eligible to apply for naturalisation.

Naturalisation is the usual route for an adult who has lived lawfully in the UK, has indefinite permission to remain and meets the residence, language, knowledge and good character requirements.

Naturalisation is different from applying for indefinite leave to remain, settled status, registration as a British citizen or a British passport. Application fees are substantial and are not normally refunded where the wrong route is used or the requirements are not met.

Check Whether You Are Already a British Citizen

Before applying, check whether you are already a British citizen.

Citizenship may have been acquired automatically because of:

• your date and place of birth;
• a parent’s citizenship or immigration status;
• adoption;
• historic nationality legislation;
• birth in a British overseas territory; or
• service by a parent in the armed forces.

Being born in the UK does not automatically make everyone British. The result depends on the date of birth and the parents' status at that time.

Naturalisation and Registration

Naturalisation

Naturalisation is normally a discretionary route for adults who have established residence and settled status in the UK.

Registration

Registration applies to particular adults and children who have an entitlement or discretionary route under the British Nationality Act 1981.

Routes may apply to:

• children whose parent later becomes British or settled;
• people born in the UK who lived here for their first ten years;
• children born overseas to certain British parents;
• people affected by historical discrimination;
• stateless people; and
• children whose circumstances justify discretionary registration.

General Naturalisation Requirements

An adult will normally need to show that they:

• are aged 18 or over;
• have sufficient mental capacity, unless the requirement is waived;
• are of good character;
• meet the applicable residence requirements;
• were lawfully present during the qualifying period;
• are free from immigration time restrictions;
• meet the language requirement, unless exempt;
• have passed the Life in the UK Test, unless exempt; and
• meet any applicable future-intentions requirement.

Mental Capacity

An applicant normally needs sufficient capacity to understand the significance of becoming a British citizen.

The requirement may be waived where a medical or mental condition prevents the applicant from meeting it. Evidence may be required from a doctor, healthcare professional, carer, attorney, deputy or legal representative.

Indefinite Leave and Settled status

Most applicants must be free from immigration time restrictions when applying.

This may be shown by:

• indefinite leave to remain or enter;
• settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
• a right of abode;
• Irish citizenship in qualifying circumstances; or
• another status without a time limit.

Pre-settled status, a work visa, student permission or limited family leave is not normally sufficient.

The Twelve-Month Rule

An applicant who is not married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen will normally need to have been free from immigration restrictions for at least 12 months.

British Spouses and Civil Partners

A person married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen normally needs settled status or indefinite leave on the application date but does not usually need to hold it for a further 12 months.

An unmarried partner does not qualify for the three-year spouse route merely because the couple live together.

The Five-Year Residence Route

An applicant who is not applying as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen will normally need to show that:

• they were physically present in the UK exactly five years before applying;
• they were absent for no more than 450 days during those five years;
• they were absent for no more than 90 days during the final 12 months;
• they complied with immigration law;
• they are free from immigration restrictions; and
• they intend to continue living in the UK or satisfy another permitted future-intentions requirement.

The Exact-Date Requirement

The applicant must normally have been physically present in the UK at the beginning of the qualifying period.

For example, an application submitted on 15 July 2026 under the five-year route normally requires physical presence in the UK on 15 July 2021.

Travel records should be checked before submission, as applying on the wrong date can result in refusal.

The Three-Year British Spouse Route

An applicant married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen will normally need to show that:

• they were physically present in the UK exactly three years before applying;
• they were absent for no more than 270 days during that period;
• they were absent for no more than 90 days during the final 12 months;
• they complied with immigration law;
• they are free from immigration restrictions; and
• they remain legally married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen.

Marriage to a British citizen does not, by itself, make someone British.

Absences from the UK

Applicants must provide their travel history for the relevant three- or five-year period.

Absences include holidays, business travel, overseas work, study, family visits, and emergency travel.

The Home Office may overlook excessive absences in suitable cases.

• the extent of the excess;
• length of UK residence;
• family, home and financial connections;
• employment requiring overseas travel;
• medical or compassionate circumstances;
• circumstances outside the applicant's control; and
• whether all other requirements are met.

Discretion is not automatic and should be supported by evidence.

Lawful Residence

An applicant will normally need to have complied with immigration law throughout the qualifying period.

Potential problems include:

• overstaying;
• illegal entry;
• working or studying without permission;
• breaching visa conditions;
• using deception;
• remaining after leave expired; and
• failing to comply with reporting restrictions.

The effect of appeals, late applications and section 3C leave can be complex.

Illegal Entry

Current Home Office guidance states that applications made on or after 10 February 2025 involving previous illegal entry will normally be refused, regardless of when it occurred.

Exceptions may apply where the applicant was not personally responsible or where exceptional circumstances or international obligations apply.

The Good-Character Requirement

The Home Office considers the applicant's conduct as a whole.

Relevant matters may include:

• criminal convictions and cautions;
• pending prosecutions;
• civil penalties;
• immigration breaches;
• deception or dishonesty;
• tax and financial misconduct;
• fraudulent benefit claims;
• sham marriages;
• serious driving offences;
• extremism or terrorism; and
• failure to disclose material facts.

The requirement generally applies to nationality applicants aged ten or over. However, exceptions apply to some registration routes.

Criminal Convictions

A criminal record does not always result in permanent refusal, but the offence, sentence, age and surrounding circumstances will be considered.

Applicants should disclose all information required by the form, including relevant overseas offences, cautions, fixed penalties, driving matters and pending proceedings.

Concealing an offence may raise a more serious concern about dishonesty.

Tax and Financial Conduct

Ordinary debt does not automatically prevent citizenship. However, deliberate tax evasion, benefit fraud, dishonest bankruptcy conduct or misleading information supplied to public bodies may affect good character.

Language and Life in the UK

Most adult applicants must satisfy both:

• the language requirement; and
• the Life in the UK requirement.

Passing one does not satisfy the other.

Language Requirement

The requirement may be met by:

• an approved speaking and listening qualification at B1 or above;
• a qualifying degree taught or researched in English;
• nationality from an accepted majority English-speaking country;
• having previously met the requirement for settlement; or
• qualifying for an exemption.

Where a test is required, it must be an approved Secure English Language Test taken through an approved provider.

Life in the UK Test

The test covers British history, law, government, society and customs.

A pass does not currently expire. A person who passed for indefinite leave will not normally need to take the test again.

There is no general alternative based on attending naturalisation classes.

Exemptions

An applicant may be exempt where they:

• are aged 65 or over; or
• have a long-term physical or mental condition preventing them from meeting the requirements.

Medical evidence will normally be required.

Referees

Naturalisation applications usually require two referees.

Normally:

• one must be a person of professional standing;
• one must generally be a British citizen passport holder aged 25 or over, or a professional person;
• both must have known the applicant for at least three years;
• they must not be related to the applicant or each other;
• they must not be the aapplicant'ssolicitor or agent; and
• they must meet the current criminality and eligibility requirements.

Documents Commonly Required

Documents may include:

• current and expired passports;
• an eVisa or evidence of immigration status;
• evidence of indefinite leave or settled status;
• the Life in the UK Test reference;
• language evidence;
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate;
• the British spouse’s passport;
• travel records;
• employment or tax evidence;
• evidence explaining excess absences;
• criminal or court documents;
• medical evidence; and
• certified translations.

How to Apply

Most applicants living in the UK apply online.

The process normally involves:

• creating an account;
• completing the application;
• providing referee details;
• paying the fee;
• uploading supporting evidence;
• booking a biometric appointment; and
• attending the appointment where required.

The application date is normally the date the online form and fee are submitted. This is important for residence calculations.

The former council-run Nationality Checking Service is no longer the standard route.

Using a Solicitor or Adviser

Immigration and nationality advice is regulated. Advice should be obtained from an appropriately regulated solicitor, barrister or Immigration Advice Authority adviser.

An adviser may help by:

• identifying the correct route;
• checking residence and absences;
• reviewing immigration history;
• assessing good-character issues;
• preparing legal representations;
• checking evidence;
• responding to Home Office enquiries; and
• advising after refusal.

Application Fees

As of July 2026, the total adult naturalisation fee is £1,839.

This consists of:

• £1,709 for the application; and
• £130 for the citizenship ceremony.

Solicitors' fees and optional biometric appointment services are separate.

There is no general fee waiver for adult naturalisation because of low income. Some child-registration and specialist routes have separate fee-waiver provisions.

How Long Does the Application Take?

The Home Office normally aims to decide applications within six months.

Cases may take longer because of:

• background or security checks;
• complex immigration history;
• criminality or good-character issues;
• excess absences;
• overseas enquiries;
• requests for further evidence; or
• uncertainty about identity or nationality.

Travel While an Application Is Pending

An applicant can generally trave. In contrast,e the application is being considered, provided they retain valid immigration permission and the documents needed to return.

Applying for citizenship does not extend immigration leave. The applicant must remain lawfully present until citizenship is granted and any required ceremony is completed.

Children and British Citizenship

Children under 18 do not normally naturalise with their parents. They may already be British or may need a separate registration application.

Their position depends on:

• where and when they were born;
• their parents’ nationality and immigration status;
• whether a parent later became British or settled;
• their residence history;
• adoption or parental-order arrangements; and
• the applicable statutory route.

A child born in the UK may be entitled to register where a parent later becomes British or settled. A person born in the UK who lived here for their first ten years may also have a separate entitlement.

Children under 18 are not normally required to pass the Life in the UK Test or satisfy the adult language requirement.

Citizenship Ceremonies

An adult whose application is approved must normally attend a citizenship ceremony within three months of receiving the invitation.

During the ceremony, the applicant:

• makes an oath or affirmation of allegiance;
• makes a pledge of loyalty;
• receives a citizenship certificate; and
• usually receives a welcome pack.

The standard group ceremony is included in the fee. Private ceremonies may be available for an additional charge.

Citizenship normally begins when the ceremony is completed, not when the approval letter is received.

Citizenship Certificate and Passport

The certificate should be checked immediately for errors in the applicant's name, date and place of birth and citizenship details.

It is not a travel document. A British passport requires a separate application and fee.

Dual Nationality

The UK permits dual or multiple nationality. However, another country may prohibit it, require permission or impose consequences affecting property, inheritance, military service or consular protection.

Applicants should check the law of their existing country of nationality before applying.

Refusal

There is no general statutory right of appeal against refusal of naturalisation.

Possible options include:

• requesting reconsideration where the Home Office made an error;
• submitting further evidence;
• making a fresh application when the problem has been resolved;
• using the complaints process; or
• considering judicial review where the decision was legally unlawful.

Judicial review examines the legality of the decision rather than deciding the application afresh.

Common Reasons for Refusal

Applications may be refused because:

• the applicant was outside the UK on the exact qualifying date;
• absence limits were exceeded;
• settled status or indefinite leave had not been held for the required period;
• language or Life in the UK requirements were not met;
• criminality or conduct affected good character;
• immigration breaches were not disclosed;
• incorrect or misleading information was supplied;
• the wrong route was used;
• documents were insufficient; or
• the referees were ineligible.

Preparing Before Applying

Before applying:

• check whether you are already British;
• identify the correct route;
• check the exact qualifying date;
• calculate all absences;
• confirm when settled status or indefinite leave was granted;
• review immigration, criminal and tax history;
• pass the Life in the UK Test where required;
• obtain acceptable language evidence;
• choose eligible referees;
• collect passports and travel records;
• obtain certified translations; and
• check how British citizenship may affect another nationality.

How a British Citizenship Solicitor Can Help

A citizenship solicitor may assist with:

• checking whether a person is already British;
• naturalisation and registration routes;
• spouse and civil partner applications;
• residence and absence calculations;
• excess absences;
• immigration breaches and illegal entry;
• criminal convictions and good character;
• language and medical exemptions;
• child registration;
• overseas births and citizenship by descent;
• Home Office evidence requests;
• refusals and reconsideration; and
• judicial review or deprivation proceedings.

Finding a British Citizenship Solicitor

British nationality law contains many different routes, exceptions and historic provisions. A single travel date, an immigration breach, or a misunderstanding about existing citizenship can affect the outcome.

Use the search facility at the top of this page to find a solicitor experienced in British citizenship, naturalisation and nationality law.

This guide provides general information about British citizenship. It does not constitute immigration or nationality advice and should not replace advice about an individual application.