naturalisation application from abroad

Hi everyone, i am applying for naturalisation in the UK.
I am married a british citizen and i have been here for 3 years, my question..
is it possible to apply from abroad? I mean, send all the documentation (passport, marriage certificate etc etc etc) from abroad?

I fulfill all the requirements (have been in the UK for the last 3 years)

See also Ppron Naturalisation Method

HI again.. i will explain my history briefly.. i am mexican, my wife scotish..
we have been living in the UK for the last 3 years, i am an IT engineer and i worked for the last 2 years in a big computers company... i have an ILR.. I haven't been at home since then.. I quit from work about 2 weeks ago because i was planning to go to mexico to spend christmas and some months there.. with my family (i don't see them a while ago) my wife would join me there in a couple of months.. anyway.. my BIG mistake was to send the application form 15 days BEFORE my 3 years period.. so for my surprise i got a letter today from IND saying that i don't meet the qualifying requirement..
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? textually:

your application was received the 26/09/07 so your qualifying period is from 27/09/07, according to your application form you entered the UK on 12/10/04 so the above requirement is not met... CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS.. so now, i have to sign the form again and the new application date will be when they receive ALL THE SAME DOCUMENTATION AGAIN..

so, i am not gonna be able to be with my mum this christmas.. so.. that is why i ask.. maybe i can go to mexico and then send everything from there..

Anyway, if i go to mexico i will go in about a month so i wont be able to send the passport until i am there.. so now i am not sure if my application will be still valid.. ( I DONT WANT TO PAY 655 pounds again)..

Also.. i have a very good question.. one requirement for the application is to have met 2 referees for more than 3 years, one of my referees meets this requirement.. but not the other one.. i met the other referee.. 2 years and almost 11 months ago.. so i am not sure if it is better to wait until the time is 3 years..(YOU KNOW, IF THEY SENT THE APPLICATION BACK BECAUSE I SENT IT 15 DAYS EARLIER THEN THEY CAN SEND IT BACK AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE)... what do you think?..

please let me know.. and thanks very much for your time and for your understanting.. i just don't get the point in all this issue.. at the end we are just humans.. i don't do politics...

thanks again..
Edson

If you are currently in the UK, then I suggest that you apply before you leave, using the Nationality Checking Service:

1. What is the Nationality Checking Service (NCS)?

The Nationality Checking Service is a partnership between the Home Office Border and Immigration Agency and local councils in England and Wales. It allows those people applying for British citizenship to make their applications, in person, at their local council offices. For a small fee, participating councils will check that applications are completed correctly and have been submitted with all the necessary supporting documents and the correct fee. They will photocopy and certify valuable documents such as passports and will send the applications to the Home Office by special delivery post. Complete applications can be dealt with more quickly than those that are incomplete. Those using the service will be able to keep their passports rather than sending them to the Home Office.

They will check all the supporting documents. You will be able to keep your passport because a certified copy will be sent.

Hi Viny, thanks for your attention.. I am in Edinburgh and i dont see any NCS office around here.. I am gonna tell you what i am planning to do and please tell me if you think this would work.. I have been here for 3 years now...
I need a break and i think i have to right to go anywhere i want because i am supposed to be a free person.. so.. i am thinking that i am gonna leave the country.. (i have to take my passport with me).... then, i am gonna send the passport to my wife, who then, will send all the documents back to Liverpool... do you think this will work? Also, about my referee.. what do you think is the best?.. I met her in December 2004.. so it will be 3 years in December..do you think is better to send the application again in December?... Last question, i already paid the fee (655).. when they sent everything back they said that if i sign the section 7 (that i cannot find yet because the application has only 6 sections)... they would keep working on my current application.. so the question is: if i send everything back lets say in December.. the current application will be still valid?

Thanks, your help is priceless...

thanks again,
Edson

If you do an in-country application, it is advisable that you stay in the country for at least 5 days in case the Home Office needs to contact you.

I can believe it - the 3 years is an absolute requirement. You need to have been in the UK on the date 3 years before, no way round it.

See also British nationality:

Submission/Return of passports

If you wish to apply for British citizenship and you plan to travel abroad within 12 weeks of making an application, you should not send in original passports or travel documents with your application. You may send in copies of documents certified by a solicitor. Each page of a passport must be copied.

I think that it may be better to keep your passport and send them a certified copy.

I'm not sure on how strict they are about knowing one of your referees for slightly less than 3 years. You may have to wait. Do you not know anyone else?

From AN Guide

One referee should be a person of any nationality who has professional standing, such as a doctor, a minister of religion, civil servant or a member of a professional body, e.g. accountant or solicitor (but not representing you with this application). A list of acceptable professional persons can be found on our website.

The other referee must be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25.

Perhaps you can ask your caseworker about section 7 and if they will re-accept your application as continuing in December.

caguaedson2001 wrote:HI again.. i will explain my history briefly.. i am mexican, my wife scotish..
we have been living in the UK for the last 3 years, i am an IT engineer and i worked for the last 2 years in a big computers company... i have an ILR.. I haven't been at home since then.. I quit from work about 2 weeks ago because i was planning to go to mexico to spend christmas and some months there.. with my family (i don't see them a while ago) my wife would join me there in a couple of months.. anyway.. my BIG mistake was to send the application form 15 days BEFORE my 3 years period.. so for my surprise i got a letter today from IND saying that i don't meet the qualifying requirement..
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? textually:

your application was received the 26/09/07 so your qualifying period is from 27/09/07, according to your application form you entered the UK on 12/10/04 so the above requirement is not met... CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS.. so now, i have to sign the form again and the new application date will be when they receive ALL THE SAME DOCUMENTATION AGAIN..

so, i am not gonna be able to be with my mum this christmas.. so.. that is why i ask.. maybe i can go to mexico and then send everything from there..

Anyway, if i go to mexico i will go in about a month so i wont be able to send the passport until i am there.. so now i am not sure if my application will be still valid.. ( I DONT WANT TO PAY 655 pounds again)..

Also.. i have a very good question.. one requirement for the application is to have met 2 referees for more than 3 years, one of my referees meets this requirement.. but not the other one.. i met the other referee.. 2 years and almost 11 months ago.. so i am not sure if it is better to wait until the time is 3 years..(YOU KNOW, IF THEY SENT THE APPLICATION BACK BECAUSE I SENT IT 15 DAYS EARLIER THEN THEY CAN SEND IT BACK AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE)... what do you think?..

please let me know.. and thanks very much for your time and for your understanting.. i just don't get the point in all this issue.. at the end we are just humans.. i don't do politics...

thanks again..
Edson

I don't see what's so hard to believe. There was a requirement to be met, you didn't meet it, and your application was rejected. Pretty believable as far as I can see.