In January 2004 the Government introduced a requirement that all persons over the age of 18 years, who have been successful in their application for naturalisation as a British Citizen, must attend a Citizenship Ceremony before they can become British Citizens.

Applying for British Citizenship

Applying for British Citizenship can be difficult and take a long time. The Home Office will return any application that is not filled in properly or does not have the right supporting evidence.

Nationality Checking Service

Waltham Forest Council has introduced a document checking service to help you to complete your application for British Citizenship.

We can help you to:

  • make sure that your application is correctly completed
  • check, certify and copy your documents so that you can keep all the originals
  • ensuring all required supporting documents are attached
  • secure, swift and safe submission of your documents to the Home Office.

For information on:

 

What happens at a Group Citizenship Ceremony

  • We ask you to arrive at each ceremony in ample time so that the required documentation can be checked.
  • The ceremony begins with an introduction by the Deputy Superintendent Registrar, which is followed by a short speech of welcome made by a local dignitary, welcoming the new citizen to the United Kingdom and the Borough of Waltham Forest.
  • This is followed by the taking of the oath of allegiance, and the pledge of loyalty by each new citizen, as a group.
  • Each new citizen is then called forward, either as an individual or together with other members of their family to be presented with their Certificates of Naturalisation by the Guests of honour. They are then asked to sign the Citizenship Registrar.
  • The ceremony concludes with the playing of the National Anthem
  • Each new citizen can invite up to two guests to accompany them to the ceremony.
  • We also welcome the children of new citizens, who will be receiving their Certificates of Naturalisation, to attend and participate in the Ceremony. (Although they are not required to take the oath of allegiance or the pledge of loyalty).

Provided that it does not disrupt the Ceremony, the photographing and videoing of the Ceremony is allowed. Once the ceremony has ended, there is an opportunity for further photographs to be taken, along with the Guests of Honour.

The Group Citizenship Ceremonies are held at various venues across the borough, including

  • The EpiCentre Leytonstone,
  • Queens Road Community Centre Walthamstow,
  • Vestry House Museum Walthamstow,
  • Chingford Assembly Hall
  • The Score Building Leyton

An individual Ceremony can be arranged for an additional fee. It will be held at The Register Office, 106 Grove Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9BY.

You can arrange your ceremony here, even if you live in a different Borough.

For further information or to make an appointment call Waltham Forest Register Office on 020 8496 2716 and ask for the Citizenship Team or email citizenship@walthamforest.gov.uk.

Further information about becoming a British Citizen can be obtained from the Home Office Ceremonies Support Team on 0845 010 5200 or visit their website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk