Postponing Naturalisation Ceremony

My wife's naturalisation got approved on Sept 18th 2022 and we have been asked to take the citizenship ceremony on 10th Nov 22.
I have booked flights to India on 15th December and will be coming back to the UK on Jan 15th 2023. The possibility of getting the British passport is very less before I fly to India.

Once my wife takes the ceremony she won't be able to travel without a British passport

The ceremony should be taken within 90 days from the date of approval.

Is there any way we can postpone the ceremony after I come back from India after Jan 15th 2023?

Congratulations!

Ask the council if they can give you a later date? The 15th Jan is more than 90 days after the 18th Sept, but because of coronavirus the 90 days limit had been extended to 180 https://www.gov.uk/citizenship-ceremonies

Thanks for your response.
Yes corona they have extended but now it is 90 days.
I read some where we need to reapply if I miss that 90 days period.
Not sure I am not getting any concrete answer in any of the website or other optiona how I can postpone without reapplying
Thanks

Have you considered booking a private ceremony, at an extra cost, for sooner?

CPradeep wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:13 am

Thanks for your response.
Yes corona they have extended but now it is 90 days.
I read some where we need to reapply if I miss that 90 days period.
Not sure I am not getting any concrete answer in any of the website or other optiona how I can postpone without reapplying
Thanks

Have you checked with the local council about the 90 days? Or like CR001 suggests, get a private ceremony.

I have sent an email to the local council and home office asking for guidance .Briefly they have said if we don't attend the ceremony the "Naturalisation Certificate" will be returned to the home office but to get back and arrange an ceremony back they are not sure if any fee is involved .so I have wait for the reply

fingers crossed ,Let me know if you get any info please

CPradeep wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:01 pm

I have sent an email to the local council and home office asking for guidance .Briefly they have said if we don't attend the ceremony the "Naturalisation Certificate" will be returned to the home office but to get back and arrange an ceremony back they are not sure if any fee is involved .so I have wait for the reply

fingers crossed ,Let me know if you get any info please

Why sending emails with such short deadlines? Why not take a day off and go to your local council and make the necessary enquiries.
The HO has no business with you right now, you business is with your council until they return your cert back to sender (HO).

The council is near to my house but they prefer email as the ceremony officer works different timings and they can't promise on the availability.

UPDATE :
the council ceremony officer emailed me saying the period for taking ceremony is up to 6 months. So I am good with 6 months.

If anyone in my situation send an email explaining the situation to council and postpone your ceremony which can be up to 6 months

In all the websites its mentioned as 3 months when you are in UK

CPradeep wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 30, 2022 8:15 am

UPDATE :
the council ceremony officer emailed me saying the period for taking ceremony is up to 6 months. So I am good with 6 months.

If anyone in my situation send an email explaining the situation to council and postpone your ceremony which can be up to 6 months

In all the websites its mentioned as 3 months when you are in UK

That provided some clarity. Good of you to update.

I am in a similar situation. Its said that one can tavel with Indian passport within 90 days provided British passport is not issued i.e. guidance from India consulate.
Do you know if there is any issue with British immigration at airport during onward and return travel. Not sure which authority to contact.

You might be denied boarding when leaving the country you visit without a valid visa or British passport. You can travel out but it might be difficult to come back.

Vamsij wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:50 am

I am in a similar situation. Its said that one can tavel with Indian passport within 90 days provided British passport is not issued i.e. guidance from India consulate.
Do you know if there is any issue with British immigration at airport during onward and return travel. Not sure which authority to contact.

you can travel out of the country, but the issue is that when you go back your Indian passport alone doesn't give you any right to go to the UK -> airline will most likely deny you boarding as they don't want to pay for your return if they let you on the flight by mistake.

Meself2 comments are valid.
Because when you take ceremony you have to destroy your BRP card, returning to UK will be a problem in immigration.. Not sure if they will allow with naturalisation certificate only

CPradeep wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:18 am

Meself2 comments are valid.
Because when you take ceremony you have to destroy your BRP card, returning to UK will be a problem in immigration.. Not sure if they will allow with naturalisation certificate only

the UK officials on the border will, since you're a UK citizen, that just might take some time. But you need a way to get to the border and airlines will not go with naturalization certificate to let you on board; it's not a travel document, they can't be sure it's you as it has no picture and all, so this is the part to be worried about.