'Date of application' for Naturalisation application

What date is treated as 'date of application' when applying for naturalisation via NCS. Is it:

1.Date of submitting application at NCS
2.Date UKBA receives application from NCS
3.Date UKBA acknowledges application received from NCS
4. Date when UKBA starts to process application

I just needed to know this because I will be applying on 4th of Dec, but 5 years ago, I was on a holiday from the 15th of Dec.

I believe it's a requirement that 5 years prior to application, applicant needs to be physically present in UK.

I am in a dilemma whether to go ahead or postpone my application.

I found a link about how 'date of application' is calculated for Tier 1 but none for naturalisation. Any link or pointers would be great.

Sorry, seems like I've edited my options list when the answer was posted.

So, just to be clear, date of getting acknowledgement equals date of application? Not just UKBA receiving it?

From recent timelines thread, it looks like data UKBA receives it is usually the day after submitting to NCS, but it takes a while to get an 'acknowledgement', in which case I'd be better off postponing.

Sorry, I'm not sure how do people track date of receipt by UKBA and date of acknowledgement assuming they are 2 different things.

You might need some sleep. Read the answer again...

CR001 wrote:

srikp wrote:2.Date UKBA receives application from NCS

date of receipt by ukba!!!

Let me explain in simple terms.

Always send your naturalisation application by recorded delivery or special delivery. When you have posted your application, next day go on post office track and trace online facilty. When the status changes to " you mail has been delivered" this is the date of your application.

Comprende?

Ayyubi72 wrote:Let me explain in simple terms.

Always send your naturalisation application by recorded delivery or special delivery. When you have posted your application, next day go on post office track and trace online facilty. When the status changes to " you mail has been delivered" this is the date of your application.

Comprende?

Not relevant if the OP is applying through NCS!!

CR001 wrote: Not relevant if the OP is applying through NCS!!

There will still be a tracking number of the application sent by NCS.

**Edited by Moderator

Although you are correct Ayyubi72 that you can track an application made by the NCS. Please stop talking to people like they are stupid, show some respect. I have therefore, edited your post (again).