Become a British citizen

After you’ve applied

Citizenship ceremonies

After your citizenship ceremony

you’re 18 or over
you’re of good character, for example, you don’t have a serious or recent criminal record, and you haven’t tried to deceive the Home Office or been involved in immigration offences in the last 10 years
you’ll continue to live in the UK
you’ve met the knowledge of English and life in the UK requirements
you meet the residency requirement

lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application
spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years
spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)
had permanent residence status for the last 12 months if you’re a citizen of an EEA country – you need to provide a permanent residence document
not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

you’re 18 or over
you’re of sound mind, you’re able to think and make decisions for yourself
you’re of good character, for example you don’t have a serious or recent criminal record
you’ve met the knowledge of English and life in the UK requirements
you’ve been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK (this means there’s no specific date that you have to leave) or permanent residence if you’re an EEA national (and you have a permanent residence card or document that shows you have permanent residence)
you meet the residency requirement

lived in the UK for at least the 3 years before your application is received
spent no more than 270 days outside the UK in those 3 years
spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

make an individual application
use the Nationality Checking Service (NCS)
use an agent or representative

General Council of the Bar
Law Society of England and Wales
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
Faculty of Advocates
Law Society of Scotland
General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland
Law Society of Northern Ireland

going to your citizenship ceremony
getting your certificate of British citizenship

Become a British citizen

Check if you can apply

1. Check if you can apply

There are different ways to become a British citizen. The most common is called ‘naturalisation’.

You can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation if:

you’re 18 or over

you’re of good character, for example, you don’t have a serious or recent criminal record, and you haven’t tried to deceive the Home Office or been involved in immigration offences in the last 10 years

you’ll continue to live in the UK

you’ve met the knowledge of English and life in the UK requirements

you meet the residency requirement

And you must usually have:

lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application

spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years

spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

had settlement (‘indefinite leave to remain’) in the UK for the last 12 months if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA)

had permanent residence status for the last 12 months if you’re a citizen of an EEA country – you need to provide a permanent residence document

not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

There are different requirements if your spouse or civil partner is a British citizen.

You can’t include any time spent in the UK when you’re exempt from immigration control (for example, as a diplomat or member of visiting armed forces) as part of the 5 years.

Read the full guidance notes and the requirements booklet before applying.

You may be able to apply to become a British citizen by ‘registration’ in certain circumstances.

There will be no change to the rights and status of EU nationals living in the UK, nor UK nationals living in the EU, while the UK remains in the EU.

Children under 18

You can apply on behalf of a child under 18 if they meet the eligibility criteria. They don’t have to pass the Life in the UK Test.

Read more about citizenship for children under 18 in Guide MN1.

Fees

Read about the different fees for citizenship applications.

2. If your spouse is a British citizen

If you’re married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship if:

you’re 18 or over

you’re of sound mind, you’re able to think and make decisions for yourself

you’re of good character, for example you don’t have a serious or recent criminal record

you’ve met the knowledge of English and life in the UK requirements

you’ve been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK (this means there’s no specific date that you have to leave) or permanent residence if you’re an EEA national (and you have a permanent residence card or document that shows you have permanent residence)

you meet the residency requirement

Unless your spouse or civil partner works abroad either for the UK government or for an organisation closely linked to government, you must usually also have:

lived in the UK for at least the 3 years before your application is received

spent no more than 270 days outside the UK in those 3 years

spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months

not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

Read the guidance notes and the requirements booklet before applying.

3. How to apply

There are 3 ways to apply for British citizenship by naturalisation:

make an individual application

use the Nationality Checking Service (NCS)

use an agent or representative

Make an individual application

You must fill in Form AN – application for naturalisation as a British citizen

Read the guidance notes and the requirements booklet, which tell you how to fill in the form and what other documents you need to provide.

Apply using the NCS

The NCS is run by local councils and they can help you make your application. Check if your local council has an NCS.

Apply through an agent or representative

An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice.

Check if an agent or representative is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

You can also use some solicitors or barristers that aren’t registered with the OISC. These include:

General Council of the Bar

Law Society of England and Wales

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Faculty of Advocates

Law Society of Scotland

General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland

Law Society of Northern Ireland

Fees

Read about the fees for citizenship applications.

Biometric information

You must also provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo). This costs £19.20.

The Home Office will tell you when you need to provide your biometric information. Your biometric information is only held until you’ve attended a citizenship ceremony.

4. Where to send your application

Send your application form, fee and any supporting documents to:

UKVI Department 1 The Capital New Hall Place Liverpool L3 9PP

Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

Send your application to the Lieutenant Governor.

British overseas territories

Send your application to the Governor of the territory.

All other countries

Send your application to UK Visas and Immigration:

Department 1 UK Visas and Immigration PO BOX 306 Liverpool L2 0QN

Fees

Read about the different fees for citizenship applications.

5. After you’ve applied

UKVI
Department 1
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP

Department 1
UK Visas and Immigration
PO BOX 306
Liverpool
L2 0QN

Nationality contact centre
nationalityenquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Naturalisation BRP Returns
PO Box 195
Bristol
BS20 1BT