What a British citizenship ceremony is
At a citizenship ceremony you make an oath of allegiance (swear by God) or affirmation of allegiance.
This is to promise to respect the rights, freedoms, and laws of the UK.
Who must attend a British citizenship ceremony
If you’re over 18 and your application for British citizenship has been successful, you must book to attend a British citizenship ceremony.
You must attend a British citizenship ceremony within 3 months of receiving your invitation letter, otherwise you’ll have to re-apply for citizenship and pay the application fees again.
The Home Office will not refund the fee if your application is later refused or withdrawn.
What happens at a citizenship ceremony
The Provost or Deputy Provost attends the citizenship ceremony along with the elected members (local Councillors) from the electoral wards that the new citizens live in.
At the ceremony, new citizens make an oath of allegiance or an affirmation of allegiance.
The registrar then asks the whole group to make the Pledge of Loyalty.
You are then presented with your certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen.
How much it costs
The cost to attend a citizenship ceremony is included in your British citizenship application fee.
Before you book your citizenship ceremony
In Renfrewshire, the citizenship ceremonies are held on the last Wednesday of every month in the Paisley Marriage Suite at Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley.
You can invite up to 4 guests to attend your citizenship ceremony.
You’ll need to give us:
- your phone number
- the first name and surname of the guests that you would like to invite
- a copy of the citizenship invitation letter that you received from the Home Office.
How to book your citizenship ceremony
Phone us
When you receive your invitation letter from the Home Office, phone us to book your citizenship ceremony.
Registrars Office
After your citizenship ceremony
We present all our new British citizens with a small commemorative coin in a presentation box.
You’ll also receive a citizenship folder from the Home Office, which contains:
- a welcome letter from the Home Secretary
- notes on applying for a British Passport.
We’ll also provide you with information on registering on the electoral roll so you can vote in elections.