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Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

A section for posts relating to applications for Naturalisation or Registration as a British Citizen. Naturalisation

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muyiwa333
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by muyiwa333 » Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:50 pm

Hello Everyone,
My council is Barking and Dagenham and I was approved by post. I did not receive my approval by email like 95% of others did but by post 🤔. Date on approval letter is 08/10/2020 and received on the 14/10.

The website of Barking & Dag does not give enough info on ceremonies.

My question is, has anyone done there ceremony in this council recently or is booked for a ceremony at this council? I just want to know if approval letter will be sufficient enough to book ceremony whenever the council receives my certificate.

K3891
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by K3891 » Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:10 pm

Dear All, help needed please,
Hounslow Council has given me the date for private ceremony as 12th Dec. I received the invitation letter on 21st Nov. Council received my certificate on 19th Nov. I am keen to get it done asap but they are saying they don't have availability before that. Is there any way i can get somehow an earlier date by escalating it somewhere etc? I requested the caller a lot of times if there is any date available before but no flexibility from the other side unfortunately. Please help.
thanks

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CULLINAN
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by CULLINAN » Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:12 pm

K3891 wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:10 pm
Dear All, help needed please,
Hounslow Council has given me the date for private ceremony as 12th Dec. I received the invitation letter on 21st Nov. Council received my certificate on 19th Nov. I am keen to get it done asap but they are saying they don't have availability before that. Is there any way i can get somehow an earlier date by escalating it somewhere etc? I requested the caller a lot of times if there is any date available before but no flexibility from the other side unfortunately. Please help.
thanks
Could you please let us know the procedure how you booked the private ceremony? On phone or email? I can see their website gives three different prices for private ceremony @different rooms? How does it work post-corona?

Having said that, I think the best you can do is to email them and reschedule if there is any availability at their end?

Also what is your date of approval if I may know? Thanks
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

K3891
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by K3891 » Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:25 pm

CULLINAN wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:12 pm
K3891 wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:10 pm
Dear All, help needed please,
Hounslow Council has given me the date for private ceremony as 12th Dec. I received the invitation letter on 21st Nov. Council received my certificate on 19th Nov. I am keen to get it done asap but they are saying they don't have availability before that. Is there any way i can get somehow an earlier date by escalating it somewhere etc? I requested the caller a lot of times if there is any date available before but no flexibility from the other side unfortunately. Please help.
thanks
Could you please let us know the procedure how you booked the private ceremony? On phone or email? I can see their website gives three different prices for private ceremony @different rooms? How does it work post-corona?

Having said that, I think the best you can do is to email them and reschedule if there is any availability at their end?

Also what is your date of approval if I may know? Thanks

My approval was 24th Aug, date of letter was 12th Nov. i have already emailed them saying if in case they do please let me know so fingers crossed but i think its too late considering its private and been waiting already so long.

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CULLINAN
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by CULLINAN » Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:16 pm

@K3891
Thank you. May I know the price charged if you dont mind? Thanks
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

K3891
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by K3891 » Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:35 pm

CULLINAN wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:16 pm
@K3891
Thank you. May I know the price charged if you dont mind? Thanks
250 pounds

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CULLINAN
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by CULLINAN » Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:36 pm

K3891 wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:35 pm
CULLINAN wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:16 pm
@K3891
Thank you. May I know the price charged if you dont mind? Thanks
250 pounds
Same as quoted on the website £250-285👍
Personal opinion only, not to be mistaken for legal advice. Please DO NOT PM me for immigration advice. Love for All, Hatred for None.

Rabs
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Rabs » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:14 am

TabiStar wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:29 pm
Home126 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:52 pm
Finally I received my invitation today
Approved 21/08/2020
Invitation received today dated 12/11/2020

Ceremony booked for 01/12/2020. Havering.
Hi, Congratulations. Can you please tell me how you booked the ceremony? Did you book online or do you have a telephone number? I've had to send an email as their website doesn't appear to be working and I'm getting through to a pre recorded telephone message. Thank you.
Just end an email with your Name, Date of birth & reference. no to "citizenship@havering.gov.uk", they respond quickly.

Tina22london
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Tina22london » Tue Nov 24, 2020 8:34 am

Parisiana wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:07 pm
Date of application: 28 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 August 2020
Date of approval: 21 August 2020
Ceremony letter received: 23 November 2020
Letter dated: 14 November 2020
Ceremony: Cannot book it because the Westminster council website is not working and the registar says that there is no slot in December
Council: Westminster

Is anyone experiencing the same issue with Westminster council please? Did you manage to book a ceremony? Thank you
Yes having the same problem! Every day you get a different answer on the phone, no replies to my emails. Very frustrating was hoping to complete the process this year for various reasons.

saupen
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by saupen » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:33 am

Finally done with my ceremony yesterday ...Newham Council

Approved on June 30
Received letter 17 November (date on letter was 28 September) it took almost 50 days to reach me
Group Ceremony : 23 November

Newham council does not charges for group ceremony , private ceremony is £100 odd...

Helen123
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Helen123 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:41 am

Frou01 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:24 pm
Helen123 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:48 pm
Frou01 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:16 pm
Helen123 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:03 pm
Hi all,

I wanted to share that I’ve received my ceremony invitation letter today.
Council: Birmingham City Council
Applied: June 1
Approval date: Sept 14

I will be calling on Monday to book in for my ceremony so hopefully they will have a date in the next week or two! Thanks so much to everyone here for the help and support! @baybars1 your formula was spot on!!

See you all in the passport thread!
Great you have received it! :)

Birmingham is doing group ceremonies every Tuesday and private ceremonies every Wednesday.

I have decided for a group ceremony which is 1 December.
Ah that’s great to know!! Thank you so much @Frou01 for all your help during this whole process!
Aww, you’re most welcome Helen. Bless.

Let me know what date you got on Monday. Fingers crossed it’s very soon!
Hi @Frou01!
So my invitation letter states that I should contact my local authority to arrange my ceremony (Birmingham) but when I called the number written on the letter there was an automated message saying something along the lines of “if you have received your invitation letter from the home office, we will contact you when your paperwork arrives to arrange your ceremony” and then just cuts off the line. Also it says on the Birmingham city council website that it could take “a few weeks” for them to receive your paperwork from the home office after you receive the invitation letter but it says in my letter that it could take up to 2 working days for the council to receive it. I have emailed the council to ask about booking my ceremony but it’s typical Birmingham, making everything so difficult and going about things in the slowest way possible.

macka284
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by macka284 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:52 am

macka284 wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:03 pm
Hi all, I'm sure this has been asked but I can't seem to find the most recent confirmation: I understand that we now have up to 6 months from the invitation letter to attend the ceremony, but is it still required that we *book* the ceremony within 21 days of receiving the invitation letter? I just want to be sure I don't miss the window in case I'm gone over the holidays when the letter arrives. Many thanks for any clarification!
*bump*

Frou01
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Frou01 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:55 am

Helen123 wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:41 am
Frou01 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:24 pm
Helen123 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:48 pm
Frou01 wrote:
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:16 pm


Great you have received it! :)

Birmingham is doing group ceremonies every Tuesday and private ceremonies every Wednesday.

I have decided for a group ceremony which is 1 December.
Ah that’s great to know!! Thank you so much @Frou01 for all your help during this whole process!
Aww, you’re most welcome Helen. Bless.

Let me know what date you got on Monday. Fingers crossed it’s very soon!
Hi @Frou01!
So my invitation letter states that I should contact my local authority to arrange my ceremony (Birmingham) but when I called the number written on the letter there was an automated message saying something along the lines of “if you have received your invitation letter from the home office, we will contact you when your paperwork arrives to arrange your ceremony” and then just cuts off the line. Also it says on the Birmingham city council website that it could take “a few weeks” for them to receive your paperwork from the home office after you receive the invitation letter but it says in my letter that it could take up to 2 working days for the council to receive it. I have emailed the council to ask about booking my ceremony but it’s typical Birmingham, making everything so difficult and going about things in the slowest way possible.
Hi Helen,

Sorry to hear that.
In my experience the council had my certificate on a Thursday and following Monday I’ve had my invitation from Home Office.

Did you email Citizenship.Ceremonies@birmingham.gov.uk

You will get an automated response first and then they reply within some hours.

Let me know if you have luck with that please.

I have never used their phone number, always by email.
They are very kind.

naruto
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by naruto » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am

Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
LaDolceVita

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dragon098
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by dragon098 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:50 am

naruto wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am
Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
Hi Naruto, I don't think so I am October Approval (21 Oct) too and haven't seen anything yet. Finger crossed, we will see it soon from Dec.

coolrockspart2
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by coolrockspart2 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:03 pm

dragon098 wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:50 am
naruto wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am
Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
Hi Naruto, I don't think so I am October Approval (21 Oct) too and haven't seen anything yet. Finger crossed, we will see it soon from Dec.
I am October approval too not heard anything yet regarding invitation letter.

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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by JETK » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:08 pm

I called in home office 3 times today to discuss my situation as my certificate was arrived at council on 26th Oct and was sent back to home office on 3rd November due to printing error(this explain “external checks”). they assured me that they have sent out certificates for all who were approved before 31st August and the letters were sent on 19th November so should be expecting my letter by 4th of December. 🤞🤞

I am scared to trust them but I will wait until 4th December.

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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by woabgh » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:09 pm

naruto wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am
Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
I am a Sept. approval and unfortunately nothing for me yet...

Sanfarquad
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Sanfarquad » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:23 pm

Hello all members
Just a quick question.
My application have been approved on end of July by email. Since then i haven’t heard from the council or HO.
Is it only me or there are people in the same situation.

Thanks

Sanfarquad
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Sanfarquad » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:24 pm

Hello all members
Just a quick question.
My application have been approved on end of July by email. Since then i haven’t heard from the council or HO.
Is it only me or there are people in the same situation.

Thanks

naruto
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by naruto » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:31 pm

woabgh wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:09 pm
naruto wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am
Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
I am a Sept. approval and unfortunately nothing for me yet...

Thanks and all the best to all those who are still on the waiting game
LaDolceVita

naruto
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by naruto » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:33 pm

dragon098 wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:50 am
naruto wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:37 am
Dear all members,

Just a random question... I know might be a little too early for this unfortunately.....

Has any October approvals received their invitation ceremony letter?

Thanks 😊
Hi Naruto, I don't think so I am October Approval (21 Oct) too and haven't seen anything yet. Finger crossed, we will see it soon from Dec.

Hey thanks and fingers crossed we all get some bright lights soon 🙏🏼
LaDolceVita

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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by Parisiana » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:41 pm

Parisiana wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:45 pm
nnn15 wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:39 pm
Parisiana wrote:
Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:07 pm
Date of application: 28 May 2020
Date Biometrics enrolled: 19 August 2020
Date of approval: 21 August 2020
Ceremony letter received: 23 November 2020
Letter dated: 14 November 2020
Ceremony: Cannot book it because the Westminster council website is not working and the registar says that there is no slot in December
Council: Westminster

Is anyone experiencing the same issue with Westminster council please? Did you manage to book a ceremony? Thank you
Congratulations on the progress on your application! How did you find out Westminster had your certificate, did they reach out to you?

No news for me at all, but the link https://registrars.westminster.gov.uk/A ... ignup.aspx seems to be working, is it the link you tried to use? It seems to work, although for me it says "records not found" which I guess means that the council doesn't have my certificate.
No they didn't, I emailed them and they confirmed receipt. Also when the link you sent lets you progress with your Home Office reference number, it means that they received your certificate. The problem now is that link does not have any slots available... :(
I called again and they opened up a few slots for December. I booked the ceremony on Dec 8th. Good luck everyone!

tomridd9
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by tomridd9 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:43 pm

I got acceptance on 13 October 2020.
I just called the Home Office on this phone number - 08006781767
They told me that my certificate was dispatched on 18 November 2020 and the invitation letter on 19 November 2020.
Best of luck everyone!

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dragon098
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Re: Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

Post by dragon098 » Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:46 pm

tomridd9 wrote:
Tue Nov 24, 2020 12:43 pm
I got acceptance on 13 October 2020.
I just called the Home Office on this phone number - 08006781767
They told me that my certificate was dispatched on 18 November 2020 and the invitation letter on 19 November 2020.
Best of luck everyone!
Cheers tomridd9, Fantastic news. This news is giving me hope.

Not sure why but feels like it is Royal mail that's taking time to delivery these letters.

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