Citizenship ceremony

Applicants and guests should arrive at least 20 minutes before the ceremony is due to start.

The standard group ceremony will normally comprise the following:

• Introduction and welcome.
• Address by local dignitary.
• Taking or affirming of the oath and pledge.
• Official response.
• Presentation of citizenship certificate and signing of the register.

The Home Office will send a copy of the oath and pledge to all applicants.

What to bring to the ceremony

Applicants must bring to the ceremony their Home Office approval letter, their invitation letter issued by the county council and some proof of identity.

The proof of identity may be a passport, travel document, driving licence, a current utility bill, medical card, bankcard or benefits book.

As the oath is made to almighty God you may wish to bring along a holy book.

This is a personal matter and not something required for the purpose of the citizenship ceremony.

If preferred, allegiance can be affirmed, rather than sworn before God.

Guests attending a ceremony must bring with them their entrance ticket.

Guests

Whilst you are welcome to bring guests to your ceremony, space is restricted at the ceremonies, so you may only bring 2 or 3 guests per applicant.

Access to standard group ceremonies will be by invitation only and applicants will be issued with an appropriate number of entrance tickets.

Venues

Standard group citizenship ceremonies are usually held at either Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XQ or The Archbishop's Palace, Mill Street, Maidstone ME15 6YE.

The number of applicants on each standard group ceremony may vary between 15 and 20 people.

Alternatively, you may wish to celebrate the acquisition of citizenship in a personal way.

You may hold a party for family and friends, or have an individual ceremony at a different public venue within the county, subject to availability.

Citizenship ceremonies cannot be held at private homes.

This is your choice but you will need to speak to the citizenship unit in plenty of time so that arrangements can be made for this type of ceremony to be held within the 3 month period.

Where applicants choose, either for family, personal or cultural reasons, to have a personal ceremony then they will have to pay any additional costs which the county council may incur.

Children

There is no legal requirement for applicants under the age of 18 to attend a ceremony and take the oath and pledge.

However, if children wish to attend their parents' ceremony and take the oath and pledge then they may do so.

Please let the citizenship unit know as soon as possible if any children will be attending your ceremony.

Individual Citizenship Ceremonies

Individual citizenship ceremonies can be arranged and a seperate fee is charged for this. The current fee for an individual ceremony is £175 and this includes a non-refundable booking confirmation fee of £55. Please call 08458 247 400 to discuss your options.   

Contact details

To find out more about applications call the Home Office ceremonies support team on 0151 237 5200.

To find out more about going to a ceremony call the Kent County Council citizenship unit on 08458 247 400.