Taking the oath by hand

StruggleisReal · Post by **StruggleisReal** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:34 pm

Dear members and experts

My relative is in process of their citizen application and have got the medical exemption form for the English Language test

They have speech issues and would therefore not able to take the oath of allegiance verbally.

My question is if I need to request taking the oath by hand so they can write the wording instead of verbally saying the words during the Citizen application.

I checked this with the council and they said I need to write to the home office? Does anyone know if I can request this in my cover letter for the citizen application or shall I wait once the application is approved?

Second question is can they choose a different council to the one they reside in for their citizen ceremony as the availability is at least 6 weeks away in the city they live and they have checked with council close by where they can get the private ceremony within a week

As usual any input is much appreciated!

Post by **contorted_svy** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 12:44 pm

I don't know the answer to the first question. For the second one, yes, they can select a different council when they apply. Perhaps you can write in the covering letter that due to speech issues of the applicant they want to request to take the oath by hand and enclose relevant medical documents that attest to that.

Post by **contorted_svy** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 1:02 pm

After some digging on Google I found a couple of councils advise the following

https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/Counci ... onies.aspx

The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 requires all successful applicants for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen, who are aged 18 or over, to take an oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony, unless exempted by the Home Secretary.

And here is what the law says

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/41/schedule/1

The following shall be substituted for section 42 of the British Nationality Act 1981 (c. 61) (registration and naturalisation: fee and oath)—

“42Registration and naturalisation: citizenship ceremony, oath and pledge
(1)A person of full age shall not be registered under this Act as a British citizen unless he has made the relevant citizenship oath and pledge specified in Schedule 5 at a citizenship ceremony.
(2)A certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen shall not be granted under this Act to a person of full age unless he has made the relevant citizenship oath and pledge specified in Schedule 5 at a citizenship ceremony.
(3)A person of full age shall not be registered under this Act as a British overseas territories citizen unless he has made the relevant citizenship oath and pledge specified in Schedule 5.
(4)A certificate of naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen shall not be granted under this Act to a person of full age unless he has made the relevant citizenship oath and pledge specified in Schedule 5.
(5)A person of full age shall not be registered under this Act as a British Overseas citizen or a British subject unless he has made the relevant citizenship oath specified in Schedule 5.
(6)Where the Secretary of State thinks it appropriate because of the special circumstances of a case he may—
(a)disapply any of subsections (1) to (5), or
(b)modify the effect of any of those subsections.
(7)Sections 5 and 6 of the Oaths Act 1978 (c. 19) (affirmation) apply to a citizenship oath; and a reference in this Act to a citizenship oath includes a reference to a citizenship affirmation.

I didn't find an official form or procedure to request this though. you may want to consult a solicitor.

Immigrationboards.com: Immigration, work visa and work permit discussion board

Taking the oath by hand

Taking the oath by hand

Re: Taking the oath by hand

Re: Taking the oath by hand