Citizenship Ceremonies

Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted for naturalisation as a British Citizen are required to attend a Citizenship Ceremony. During this ceremony they take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen and make a Pledge of Loyalty to the United Kingdom.

After doing this, new citizens are presented with their certificate of nationality.

There is no legal requirement for applicants under the age of 18 to attend a ceremony or take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance. However, if minors (under 18 years of age) do wish to attend and participate in the ceremony they may do so.

In the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead citizenship ceremonies are provided by the registration service of the Royal Borough and are held at the register office in the Town Hall. The ceremonies are usually held in groups and participants may bring up to two guests with them. Cultural diversity within the Royal Borough is a cause for celebration and the ceremony provides the opportunity for the borough to welcome new British citizens and encourage them to take an active part in community life.

The ceremony will be conducted by a Superintendent Registrar and there will usually be a local dignitary present to address the new citizens and formally welcome them on behalf of the Royal Borough.

The arrangements for ceremonies currently in operation are as follows:-

When an applicant receives their letter of approval from the Home Office they should contact the Register Office either by telephone  - 01628 796422, fax – 01628 796625 or email – registrar@rbwm.gov.uk to obtain details of which ceremony they may attend.

Applicants are required to attend a ceremony within three months of the approval being given otherwise they may have to make a new application.

It is also possible to arrange an individual or small group ceremony, an additional fee is chargeable for this facility. Applicants for this type of ceremony should contact the register office for further details of available dates and times.

For details of how to apply to become a British Citizen, please contact the Home Office at   http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/