Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[josh06]

HI everyone!

Good news for today!!!

I have received a phone call from my council and they are starting the private ceremony next week. I was booked for Monday.

Unfortunately the group ceremony is suspended so if you want to do it quicker just pay the fees for private one.

My Local council is in Borough London of Newham.

Congratulations! Thanks for the update. When did you get your ceremony invitation letter? To my understanding, the HO didn't send any new invitations since March.

Hi there,

I got my invitation letter since March so the 3 month period has been expired. The lady that I spoke to check my actual certificate from HO and said it expired too but shouldn't be a problem as they extend it.

Anyone awaiting for ceremony just give your local council a call. She told me If I want a free group ceremony its gonna be in 6 months time. D:

Hi Josho6, may I know about the group ceremony that the council lady said will be available in 6 months time, is it 6 months from.. now? so December 2020?? oh dear if it is true I am also waiting for ceremony from Newham, got my invitation letter early March.

HELLO EVERYONE!

JUST A QUICK UPDATE, I HAD MY CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY THIS MORNING! FINALLY A BRITISH CITIZEN NOW

I GOT MY CERTIFICATE A GOLD COIN AS A BRITISH CITIZEN! SO HAPPY FINALLY OVER.

I PAID £105 FOR PRIVATE CEREMONY IN MY LOCAL COUNCIL (LONDON BOROUGH OF NEWHAM).

@ MENEKI REGARDS TO YOUR QUESTION, WHEN I SPOKED TO THE COUNCIL LADY SHE MENTIONED THAT IF I WANT THE GROUP CEREMONY IT'S GONNA BE IN 6 MONTHS TIME BEFORE THE GROUP WILL BE RESUME BECAUSE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING ETC. I BOOKED MINE STRAIGHT AWAY. WHEN I SAW THE LIST IT'S AROUND 10 PEOPLE I THINK EVERY HALF AN HOUR ( I AM THE FIRST ONE ) DAILY CEREMONY.


ALL THE BEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE WAITING - CALL YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL INSTEAD OF EMAILING THEM.

THANKS!

[Moa7]

Looks like there was some glitch in these forums as a definitely remember other replies since 22 June.

Anyway I called my council yesterday based in Swindon and they said they've been chasing the Home Office for any update on when they might post certificates to the councils for applications approved after March, but there has not been any update form the HO yet. They've asked me to call again end of next week. Unless they get certificates they can't do the ceremonies. Let's see.

[rozearo]

Looks like there was some glitch in these forums as a definitely remember other replies since 22 June.

Anyway I called my council yesterday based in Swindon and they said they've been chasing the Home Office for any update on when they might post certificates to the councils for applications approved after March, but there has not been any update form the HO yet. They've asked me to call again end of next week. Unless they get certificates they can't do the ceremonies. Let's see.

Let us be realistic, it is not going to happen till the end of August. Then the second wave will hit and all ceremonies will be postponed indefinitely!

I don’t mind waiting if there is a clear plan or even a draft one when ceremonies are going to restart. But it look like ceremonies are not a 1% priority for the HO. It doesn’t generate any money!

[nnn15]

Westminster council posted at their website (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/westmins ... virus-faqs) that there would be no citizenship ceremonies until at least August ("Unfortunately there are no ceremonies available at present until August at the earliest").

[Lopand]

I had a call with my council (Barnet) and was told that they're unable to perform group ceremonies, but they are starting now to resume paid private ones. They haven't received any new citizenship certificates since March, so I'm going to have to wait until the HO will send them my certificate before I can schedule a private ceremony, but at least SOMETHING is starting to move.

[Moa7]

I don’t mind waiting if there is a clear plan or even a draft one when ceremonies are going to restart. But it look like ceremonies are not a 1% priority for the HO. It doesn’t generate any money!
[/quote]

It does actually generate money but not as much as settlement applications! Unless these ceremonies are held, people can't apply for their first British passports, which also generates money.

[shijpi]

I got a letter of approval saying that my application has been approved and that i need to wait for another letter to invitation for ceremony due to COVID 19.

Dear Mrs XXXX
I am pleased to confirm that your application for British citizenship has been successful. The next step is to attend a British citizenship ceremony.

However, due to Government advice relating to Coronavirus (COVID 19), ceremonies are not currently taking place. I am sorry for the delay this will cause to you acquiring British citizenship and ask for your patience at this time.

We are keeping the situation under constant review and will provide updates ongov.uk when advice is updated: https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies.

When citizenship ceremonies resume, we will send out your invitation and you will then be able to book a ceremony with your local authority.

At your ceremony, you will be presented with your certificate of British citizenship. Please note that an individual does not become a British citizen until they have completed a citizenship ceremony.

Therefore, if your circumstances change in any material way prior to the ceremony being completed then your application may be subject to further review.

This could occur for example where further evidence comes to light which indicates that you would no longer meet the good character requirement. Further guidance in relation to the good character requirement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... cyguidance.
Yours sincerely,

I have not seen anyone else in the forum saying that they got a similar email. I called the North Lanarkshire council to try my luck in booking one and they said that i will have to wait. Has anyone else had a similar situation.

[Ace1983]

North Lanarkahire is my council too. I have already contacted the council, map, mp and the first minister but unfortunately there has been no progress. I have been told the suspension is from Home Office and the council cannot conduct any ceremony until the home office approves it as this is connected to Westminister and not the Scottish Government.

[Lopand]

I have not seen anyone else in the forum saying that they got a similar email.

This is the exact same email of approval that all of us have received.

[Jayrose17]

Yup
Recieved same e mail three weeks ago.
I am also chomping at the bit.
I am in the position to pay for a private ceremony but with no invitation I am stuck in this limbo..
Feels surreal having your citizenship approved but not a citizen Until you have had the ceremony.
I am hoping it starts opening up from next week. Libraries weddings and other gatherings/ ceremonies will be taking place.

[rozearo]

Government has posted an update today allowing small group ceremonies up to 30 people (marriage) but I am not sure if they updated about citizenship ceremonies!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... s-guidance

[Moa7]

Yup
Recieved same e mail three weeks ago.
I am also chomping at the bit.
I am in the position to pay for a private ceremony but with no invitation I am stuck in this limbo..
Feels surreal having your citizenship approved but not a citizen Until you have had the ceremony.
I am hoping it starts opening up from next week. Libraries weddings and other gatherings/ ceremonies will be taking place.

The issue is the Home Office hasn't posted any new citizenship certificates to the councils since March, and councils cannot do the ceremonies without the certificates. The Home Office have not given any guidance about when the new certificates will be posted.

[Cocokrishan]

The issue is the Home Office hasn't posted any new citizenship certificates to the councils since March, and councils cannot do the ceremonies without the certificates. The Home Office have not given any guidance about when the new certificates will be posted.

I had my citizenship cancelled, meaning they already had my certificate but they still won't allow me to have a private one.

[Emeliajayne88]

A friend of mine had her citizenship approved back in February. She had her citizenship ceremony scheduled for back in March, and then that was cancelled. And then her council rung her and booked in 1 July, and now that has been cancelled with no further date offered.

My hairdresser rang me today. Seems they've been open for a week. Primark is open. Pubs are opening. The GPs are open. Marriage ceremonies are commencing.

But citizenship ceremonies? I think we will be waiting a very long time.... and I have a feeling that there's a reason behind it too. Otherwise, it really doesn't make any sense.

[Ukcitizenapp]

The issue is the Home Office hasn't posted any new citizenship certificates to the councils since March, and councils cannot do the ceremonies without the certificates. The Home Office have not given any guidance about when the new certificates will be posted.

I had my citizenship cancelled, meaning they already had my certificate but they still won't allow me to have a private one.

I kept emailing the council as was concerned the 6 months deadline was approaching (early July). They arranged a 1-on1 ceremony and my wife got her certificate last week.

[Cocokrishan]

I kept emailing the council as was concerned the 6 months deadline was approaching (early July). They arranged a 1-on1 ceremony and my wife got her certificate last week.

Your wife is very lucky. My council has refused to do private ceremonies. They keep saying they're waiting for the home office to tell them what to do. Very frustrating.

[chand92]

Hello All,

Anyone Has Received the citizenship ceremony documents from Home Office?

[mr_iyamu]

Its the beginning of a new Month and the second part of the year and Q3. I come here to read post at least 3 times a day so thought to drop a message here.
Lets stay hopeful and try focus on rebuilding ourselves and the economy folks. Take it or leave it, we are not rushing anywhere so lets quit being anxious over things we cant change. Rather than come here to complain, start a petition and then put it here for others to sign. If you are not willing to do this then lets exercise some more patience and try shift our focus to other things.
One day, the postman would deliver a brown envelope to our door with the Invitation and all this would be a thing of the past. Lockdown has been for a few months but remember also that getting to this final stage of naturalisation also took Years.
Good luck to Everyone including myself and Please Stay Safe. Covid-19 is not gone yet, its trying to trick us mentally that its gone.

[Sous49]

Thank you Mr Iyamu for giving some positivity

Indeed COVID19 hasn't gone yet .I am taking the test today with my husband .
Next month I will be waiting for one year for this lettet.although i have been advised that it is approved since end of April i assume

It is hard.but we need to keep calm and stay positive

Good luck to all of us

[Moa7]

Its the beginning of a new Month and the second part of the year and Q3. I come here to read post at least 3 times a day so thought to drop a message here.
Lets stay hopeful and try focus on rebuilding ourselves and the economy folks. Take it or leave it, we are not rushing anywhere so lets quit being anxious over things we cant change. Rather than come here to complain, start a petition and then put it here for others to sign. If you are not willing to do this then lets exercise some more patience and try shift our focus to other things.
One day, the postman would deliver a brown envelope to our door with the Invitation and all this would be a thing of the past. Lockdown has been for a few months but remember also that getting to this final stage of naturalisation also took Years.
Good luck to Everyone including myself and Please Stay Safe. Covid-19 is not gone yet, its trying to trick us mentally that its gone.

Appreciate the thoughts but it's okay for people to be anxious and express their frustration on this thread where others are in a similar boat, and can understand. Different councils across the country seem to be doing different things and providing different updates so it's good for others to share here what updates they find out from their councils. It's a service we've paid for so it's okay to be frustrated when everything else around the country is opening but citizenship ceremonies are being ignored. People's lives are on hold. I personally am planning to change houses and anxious that the letter might not come to my current address in time but can't ask for the address to be changed since they're notorious for losing documents in the post. It's okay for people to vent here if that gives them comfort.

[ummalido]

Here's an update dated 02/07/2020 form the Surrey City Council website:

"Citizenship ceremonies: The work to make the register offices Covid secure will be completed this week and we will contact new citizens from the week commencing 6 July 2020 to arrange citizenship ceremonies."

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/birth-death ... p-ceremony

It looks like things are starting to move again... fingers crossed!

[AC12]

Councils, like any other workplace, need to be 'Covid Secure'. Unless they've met these guidelines, they'd be hesitant in restarting ceremonies. Some councils have been proactive in making sure they meet the Covid guidelines, some have been pretty slow, which is why we see some councils restarting the ceremonies while some haven't.

However, I understand the frustration everyone is feeling right now ! I am in the same boat. I was approved on 9th March, told to wait for an invitation letter. My council said they had received an email from HO on 12/03 that they won't be sending out any more certificates, as they were 'expecting a lockdown' to happen soon.

I guess the frustration stems from the fact that HO have not cared to communicate, meaning we do all the chasing, asking our councils, FB groups, forums, for any new/relevant information. All good saying they're concentrating on ILR applications and limited leave to remain candidates, but for the money that we pay, you'd expect a far better service from HO, specially the way they communicate.

[BoyTed]

Iam not even bothered about ceremony as the rough journey and battle was with the Home office i think we should pray fir those waiting.

[Sous49]

Iam not even bothered about ceremony as the rough journey and battle was with the Home office i think we should pray fir those waiting.

Many congratulation Boyted . Interestingly enough some are getting posted letters , some by emails
I got the decision when the HO replied to my email asking about an update.but still waiting for the letter

[Sous49]

Iam not even bothered about ceremony as the rough journey and battle was with the Home office i think we should pray fir those waiting.

Many congratulation Boyted . Interestingly enough some are getting posted letters , some by emails
I got the decision when the HO replied to my email asking about an update.but still waiting for the letter