Citizenship ceremonies

All applicants over the age of 18 who are accepted for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen are required to attend a citizenship ceremony under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. 

Request a ceremony date

After you receive your email notification of approval from the Home Office, contact us at [email protected] to obtain details of your citizenship ceremony.

The registration service will respond to your enquiry within 5 working days to discuss your requirements.

Attendance is by invitation only and details of the ceremony venue will be in the confirmation invitation, which will be sent by email.

You must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months from the date your application for British citizenship being granted.

The Citizenship team
The Kettering Citizenship room
Reeson ceremony

Types of ceremony 

There are 2 types of citizenship ceremonies available: 

  • group citizenship celebration (up to 15 other people)
  • individual citizenship celebration 

An individual ceremony will enable you to have a larger number of guests to attend. You can choose any register office across North Northants which can accommodate parties of varying sizes. 

Alternative venues will be considered but you will have to meet the cost of any room hire charge. The cost for an individual ceremony is £175.

To enquire about the possibility of an individual ceremony email us at: [email protected].

What happens at the citizenship ceremony

The ceremony begins with a formal welcome and introduction to you and your guests by a member of the Registration Service team. At the appointed time, the hosting dignitary will address the applicants and audience alike on behalf of His Majesty the King. This is followed by the swearing or affirming of the oath of allegiance and the taking of the pledge to His Majesty the King.

Following this crucial part of the celebration, the King's representative begins the presentation of a dated citizenship certificate and a gift from the Northamptonshire Registration Service to you, the new British citizen.

The ceremony

You must:

  • bring your home office letter (our invitation letter alone is not sufficient)
  • have photo ID
  • arrive at least 30 minutes

Failure to provide this will result in your attendance at the ceremony being declined. The ceremony can last 1 hour so ensure you have factored in sufficient parking time. 

The day is planned as follows:

  • a formal welcome and introduction by a member of the registration service team
  • the hosting dignitary will make an address on behalf of His Majesty the King
  • swearing or affirming of the oath of allegiance 
  • taking of the pledge to His Majesty the King

Following this crucial part of the celebration, the King's representative begins the presentation of a dated citizenship certificate and a gift from the North Northants Registration Service to you as a new British citizen.

Children receiving citizenship 

A child receiving citizenship can attend their parents' ceremony and take the oath and pledge if they wish however there is no legal requirement for children to attend. 

Guests

You are welcome to bring 1 guest to your ceremony to share the celebration experience. Children can attend but this will class as your 1 guest.  

Location

Citizenship ceremonies are held at the Mayors Parlour in Kettering. 

Mayors Parlour Kettering
Municipal Offices
Bowling Green Road
Kettering
NN15 7QX

Last updated 02 October 2023