British citizenship and UK passport applications

Applications for British citizenship and UK passports can be made online, using the GOV.UK website:

Apply to become a British citizen

Apply for or renew a UK passport

We cannot check or offer guidance on your application.

Citizenship ceremonies

Attending a citizenship ceremony is the final step in achieving British nationality.

Following a successful application to become a British Citizen, the Home Office issues an invitation letter by email to the individual concerned advising them who to contact to arrange their ceremony.

We hold monthly group ceremonies at York Register Office. If you're unable to attend a group ceremony, for an additional fee, you can arrange a private ceremony at York Register Office.

New citizens will be invited to attend along with a maximum of 2 guests. Children over the age of 5 are included in guest numbers.

On the day of the ceremony, bring the letter of invitation from the Home Office as well as your ID documents. We'll discuss which ID documents to bring with you when you call. Without these, we'll be unable to go ahead.

You must arrive 15 minutes before your ceremony start time. If you arrive late, we will not allow access to the ceremony, and you will have to contact York Register Office by telephone to reschedule your ceremony.

Private Citizenships

If you can't attend the group ceremony or would like a more personalised ceremony, for an additional fee you could have a private citizenship ceremony. A private ceremony is personal to you. You will still take your oath, but it means you can invite guests to your ceremony.

You can have up to 12 guests.

See our Ceremonies website for details of the fee.

If you want to book a private ceremony, please email us at citizenship@york.gov.uk.

Document required for a citizenship ceremony

You are required to produce:

• The Home Office email or email confirming the appointment sent by Wakefield Registrars (paper or electronic version acceptable)
• photographic identification (such as passport, travel document or driving licence)

Failure to bring your identification to the ceremony will result in you being asked to leave and contact us to reschedule another ceremony.

The ceremony

• an introduction and welcome
• Sworn/Affirmation of allegiance to His Majesty the King, including pledge of loyalty.
• Presentation of Certificate of Naturalisation

The oath

All new citizens will be asked to either swear the oath or affirm the oath. If you decide to swear the oath you will be swearing to God, while affirming the oath does not have any religious context.

Swearing the oath:

I (your full name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his heirs and successors according to law.

Affirmation:

I (your full 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 the Third, his heirs and successors according to law

After swearing or affirming, you'll make the pledge of commitment:

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.

All new citizens will be called forward at the end to receive their citizenship certificates and an information pack. There is time for photographs at the end of the ceremony.

Please note: We don't have any parking facilities at York Register Office. There are 2 car parks nearby, at Marygate and at Bootham Row. Please make your guests aware of this.

After receiving an invitation letter

Contact should be made with the Register Office specified in your invitation letter as soon as possible.

If you've received your letter from the Home Office inviting you to attend a ceremony at York Register Office, contact us on email: citizenship@york.gov.uk.

In your email please remember to include your name and telephone number, and a member of our team will contact you to arrange your ceremony.

If you have not received an invitation letter

A prospective citizen who has not yet received an invitation letter, or a member of the public with an enquiry about British citizenship and citizenship ceremonies should write to:

Or you can contact the Home Office on telephone: 0845 010 5200.

See further information about ways to settle in the UK, indefinite leave to remain and routes to British citizenship on the Home Office website: Live permanently in the UK.

Also see

• York Register Office
• York Register Office fees