Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted for naturalisation or registration as a British Citizen must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.
A citizenship ceremony will involve prospective citizens making an oath/affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom after which their naturalisation certificate will be presented.
When an applicant receives their letter of approval from the Home Office they should contact the Register Office to organize a time when the ceremony may take place. Citizenship Applicants are required to attend a ceremony within three months of the approval being given by the Home Office.
The Ceremony
Citizenship Ceremonies are carried out in the Porthcressa Beachside Ceremony Room adjacent to the Register Office and occur no cost. Guests are welcome, but please check numbers with the Superintendent Registrar.
Applicants and guests should arrive 15 minutes before the ceremony is due to start. The standard group ceremony is led by the Superintendent Registrar and will include a welcome from a local dignitary and taking or affirming the Oath and Pledge.
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.
Applicants must bring their Home Office approval letter, and some form of photographic identity to the ceremony.
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 (under 18 years) wish to attend and take the oath and pledge then they are welcome to do so.
You may contact the Isles of Scilly Registration Team on 01720 424501 or at registration@scilly.gov.uk.