Neighbourhood Services
LIBRARY, REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES
Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages
BRITISH CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES
The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 included provisions
that require all successful applicants for naturalisation or registration
as a British citizen, who are aged 18 or over, to take an oath and pledge
at a citizenship ceremony, unless exempted by the Home Secretary. These
provisions came into operation on 1 January 2004. From 2 April 2007, all
adults who apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) will need
to demonstrate knowledge of language and of “Life
in the UK” in addition to meeting the usual requirements for
settlement.
The citizenship ceremony is intended to celebrate the significance
of becoming a British citizen and to welcome the new citizen into his
or her community. It must take place within three months of the applicant
being informed that their application has been successful.
Citizenship ceremonies are not open to the public. When an application
for British citizenship has been approved, the applicant will be notified
of the appropriate local authority contact details in order that arrangements
for their ceremony can be made.
In the East Ayrshire Council area, citizenship ceremonies are conducted
by the Senior Registrar or by an Assistant Registrar in her absence on
a three monthly basis. All ceremonies are conducted in the Kilmarnock
Registration Office. A private ceremony can be arranged but will be subject
to an additional charge.
All matters relating to application and qualification for British Citizenship
are dealt with by the Home Office at the following address:
Home Office
Managed Migration
Nationality Group
PO Box 306
3rd Floor, India Buildings
Water Street
Liverpool
L2 0QN
Telephone: 0151 237 5200
Additional information can be obtained from the Home Office British Citizenship
website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
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