Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:12 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:08 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:43 am

Hi Shahzy,
Did you manage to contact them ??
Did they book you for ceremony ??

Hi Yazz,
yep- they've advised check the website, as they have started loading certificates on the website.
Nothing so far, I'll keep checking.

Is your ceremony next week?

Thanks

Hi,
Yes it is booked for next Tuesday. But at this point I'm still confused as I've seen few members here from Newham council who are still unable to book ceremony. Thats why I'm not sure. They might cancel it last minute by saying they are not conducting ceremonies in lockdown.
I might call them to reconfirm my ceremony.
Thank you. And good luck. Hopefully you'll have your ceremony at earliest date.

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:54 pm

Congrats !
can I ask you, since I'm with Hounslow council as well.. still waiting for the invitation but if you do a private ceremony at Hounslow council, is it just you and maybe a guest? do they take a photo with a portrait with the Queen, do they give you anything besides the certificate ?
thanks

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:12 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 5:08 pm

Hi Yazz,
yep- they've advised check the website, as they have started loading certificates on the website.
Nothing so far, I'll keep checking.

Is your ceremony next week?

Thanks

Hi,
Yes it is booked for next Tuesday. But at this point I'm still confused as I've seen few members here from Newham council who are still unable to book ceremony. Thats why I'm not sure. They might cancel it last minute by saying they are not conducting ceremonies in lockdown.
I might call them to reconfirm my ceremony.
Thank you. And good luck. Hopefully you'll have your ceremony at earliest date.

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:54 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 12:00 pm

Date of approval: 20th October
Invitation recipient: 13 January
Emailed Hounslow Council, called back next two days later and offered free virtual ceremony for 7th April, thanks to this forum I requested for private ceremony...£125 for 26th January.
Virtual ceremony....took less than 15 minutes. Picked up certificate 5 mins after ceremony. All done now...I'm over the moon. good luck to all who are waiting. Thanks Cullinan and all moderators. Where is Obie? He was very helpful in my EEA journey

Congrats !
can I ask you, since I'm with Hounslow council as well.. still waiting for the invitation but if you do a private ceremony at Hounslow council, is it just you and maybe a guest? do they take a photo with a portrait with the Queen, do they give you anything besides the certificate ?
thanks

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 12:24 pm

Congratulations @Jefymum.

mrmo93 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:24 pm

Gard wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:48 pm

Finally I received HO invitation latter today.
Approved: 21st of October
Invitation printing date: 31st of Dec
Latter received by post: 25th of January

Contacted Manchester city council and they said they are posting their own invitation from this week. Another waiting period started now.


Guys I have received virtual ceremony invitation latter from Manchester City Council today. And that would be 3rd of February at 11:30am. Thanks everyone and hope all the best for you all.

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:12 pm

Hi,
Yes it is booked for next Tuesday. But at this point I'm still confused as I've seen few members here from Newham council who are still unable to book ceremony. Thats why I'm not sure. They might cancel it last minute by saying they are not conducting ceremonies in lockdown.
I might call them to reconfirm my ceremony.
Thank you. And good luck. Hopefully you'll have your ceremony at earliest date.

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:12 pm

Hi,
Yes it is booked for next Tuesday. But at this point I'm still confused as I've seen few members here from Newham council who are still unable to book ceremony. Thats why I'm not sure. They might cancel it last minute by saying they are not conducting ceremonies in lockdown.
I might call them to reconfirm my ceremony.
Thank you. And good luck. Hopefully you'll have your ceremony at earliest date.

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

aliabbas wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 11:19 pm

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:32 pm

aliabbas wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2021 2:58 pm

PhantomPermit wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 22, 2021 3:36 pm

another week gone no sign of an invitation

15 October approval

Any undates ? Nothing from my side 16 October approval called the council today n they haven't got anything either . Seriously

i spoke to homeoffice person today. he said invitations for applicants before 11th of nov were sent last Friday by 2nd class post but I don't trust HO. They are incompetent to say the least.
They dont care about immigrants its not high priority for them. Using 2nd class for posts disgraceful

They r so liers OmG how can anybody trust them I rang them today and was told till 11 nov was posted on 12 jan . Seriously

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:02 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

I've sent an email to registrar office. Waiting for their reply but if there's no helpful response then I might contact local councillor/ mayor of newham. First had to wait three months for invitation and now 2nd waiting period until the end of lockdown and who knows when this lockdown will end also considering population of newham, this will only increase backlog and further delays in ceremonies.

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:23 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:46 am

Hi,
That's good to hear. let us know how it goes.

That's true if you can give a call to the council and let us know if your ceremony is still scheduled for Tuesday?

I will check back on the website again later today.

Thanks
Mohammed

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

They still hasn't confirmed you whether they have got your certificate or not. That must be really stressful for you. I hope they book you for earliest slot after resuming ceremonies as you was approved well before me.

Good luck and please update if you hear anything from them as well.
Thank you.

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:51 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:23 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:14 pm

There are no ceremonies during lockdown. I was advised to send an email to registrar office and they will book me after resuming ceremonies. was happy for nothing.

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

They still hasn't confirmed you whether they have got your certificate or not. That must be really stressful for you. I hope they book you for earliest slot after resuming ceremonies as you was approved well before me.

Good luck and please update if you hear anything from them as well.
Thank you.

yes, that's correct- they keep saying they cannot check due to lack of resources and I have to keep checking website if see it's loaded. it' is really frustrating.. This whole process is turning into a nightmare now tbh.

Thanks

YanisAAK wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:56 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:51 pm

Yazzz95 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:23 pm

shahzy970 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:37 pm

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear! This is really frustrating.. Do you think it would be wise to reach out to local councillor? or maybe Mayor of Newham?
Why can't Newham start virtual ceremonies like other councils?

Let us know if your situation changes.. Once again so sorry to hear that! I have no information regarding my certificate so far..which is even more depressing tbh.

Thanks

They still hasn't confirmed you whether they have got your certificate or not. That must be really stressful for you. I hope they book you for earliest slot after resuming ceremonies as you was approved well before me.

Good luck and please update if you hear anything from them as well.
Thank you.

yes, that's correct- they keep saying they cannot check due to lack of resources and I have to keep checking website if see it's loaded. it' is really frustrating.. This whole process is turning into a nightmare now tbh.

Thanks

Good plan. I d do the same. I am from Newham, approved on 28 Oct and still waiting for invitation letter.
I emailed the register office last week but no reply. I called them and they told me there will be no cérémonies until end of lockdown and that they have received many invitation letters but they would not upload in the system as they dealing with a high number of deaths.
What they need to do is to hire temporarily staff to deal with this and start virtual ceremonies. But they seem to be lacking behind other councils

pnadkarni wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:58 pm

Hi all, i have been a silent reader of this forum and it has been so helpful to get clarity on the process! I am also from Newham council and was receieved my approvel on 22nd Oct and the citizenship ceremony invite came in on 16 Jan (was sent by HO on 30th Dec). I was trying the Newham booking page since 16th Jan and was getting a 'Home office ref not recognised' error message. Suddently, yesterday, was able to get through the system and was able to book ceremony (group) on 16th Feb. My wife got an earlier slot (9th Feb) - so we called up the Register office to check. They did not mention anything about ceremonies not happening during lockdown... we were finally able to get one slot on 16th Feb - but reading other messages around Newham, will probably call them and re-check that ceremonies are indeed happening. Anyways, its a matter of time - although quite frustrating after all of the wait!!!

Unfortunately due to the increase in mortality within Newham, means we need to focus all our efforts into the registration of deaths to allow families to be able to make arrangements for the funerals of their loved ones. At this present time all ceremonies have been suspended and we are not taking any bookings for any ceremonies for this month.

We are in the process of setting up virtual ceremonies, hopefully by the end of this month. All residents who have already booked ceremonies on line and were cancelled due to lockdown will be contacted and offered a new booking once we are able to resume this service.

pistol242 wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 4:33 pm

This is my first post, but I've been a reader of this board for a few months.

I'm from the Newham council too, and I must say that I regret I didn't pick a different council for the ceremony.

I received my invitation letter from the HO a few weeks ago, and the letter is dated before Xmas. Yet, I kept getting the "Home Office reference not found" on the online booking system. I phoned the council and HO, the HO said I need to ask the council, and the council said they had a backlog of certificates from HO, and don't know what's the status on that backlog. The person from Newham council on the phone suggested me to send an email to register.office@newham.gov.uk to ask anything specific related to the citizenship certificate and ceremony. So I sent an email to them, but never heard anything back. All of that was about 3 weeks ago.

Then, last week, the online booking system found my record, and I successfully booked the ceremony for 02/02/2021. Everything seemed working out at the end, but it turns out that was too early to celebrate. I got this email from the Newham council today.

Unfortunately due to the increase in mortality within Newham, means we need to focus all our efforts into the registration of deaths to allow families to be able to make arrangements for the funerals of their loved ones. At this present time all ceremonies have been suspended and we are not taking any bookings for any ceremonies for this month.

We are in the process of setting up virtual ceremonies, hopefully by the end of this month. All residents who have already booked ceremonies on line and were cancelled due to lockdown will be contacted and offered a new booking once we are able to resume this service.

So this is it. It's cancelled, and I doubt they will be able to setup the the virtual ceremonies in time. It all goes back to the endless waiting again.

I guess those who had booked a ceremony for February with the Newham council will receive this email soon.

I'm so disappointed.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:15 pm

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:54 pm

Congrats !
can I ask you, since I'm with Hounslow council as well.. still waiting for the invitation but if you do a private ceremony at Hounslow council, is it just you and maybe a guest? do they take a photo with a portrait with the Queen, do they give you anything besides the certificate ?
thanks

Hounslow is only offering paid virtual ceremonies for now (within 2-3 weeks) or free virtual ceremonies from April.

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 2:40 pm

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:54 pm

Jefymum wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 12:00 pm

Date of approval: 20th October
Invitation recipient: 13 January
Emailed Hounslow Council, called back next two days later and offered free virtual ceremony for 7th April, thanks to this forum I requested for private ceremony...£125 for 26th January.
Virtual ceremony....took less than 15 minutes. Picked up certificate 5 mins after ceremony. All done now...I'm over the moon. good luck to all who are waiting. Thanks Cullinan and all moderators. Where is Obie? He was very helpful in my EEA journey

Congrats !
can I ask you, since I'm with Hounslow council as well.. still waiting for the invitation but if you do a private ceremony at Hounslow council, is it just you and maybe a guest? do they take a photo with a portrait with the Queen, do they give you anything besides the certificate ?
thanks

It was a virtual ceremony, I wish I asked if my family would be part as I have seen someone with her family included in the virtual ceremony. So please do ask the lady if you can have that.

I just received the naturalization certificate and welcome from them.....hand delivered. Good luck

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:45 pm

hand delivered? you mean by post? other councils give a medal or something else.. for me a virtual ceremony sucks specially if you have to pay extra if you don't want to wait.
I bet if you want to wait they will tell you there aren't any free available when the time comes.

CULLINAN wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 7:16 pm

Bazaar wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:45 pm

hand delivered? you mean by post? other councils give a medal or something else.. for me a virtual ceremony sucks specially if you have to pay extra if you don't want to wait.
I bet if you want to wait they will tell you there aren't any free available when the time comes.

Hounslow offers to pick up certificate from registrar office (upon request) after ceremony (optional). Otherwise they post. If you collect in person, it is hand delivered by the registrar.

You get a second certificate welcoming you by Mayor of Hounslow and team with registrar signature. No medal or coin lol.

No doubt hounslow is one of the councils charging most even pre-corona and £125 for virtual when many other councils are offering free or only postage fee i.e. £7-10.