BRITISH CITIZENSHIP REFEREES PROBLEM

slam33 · Post by **slam33** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:56 pm

This is the problem I'm having, I'm a serving soldier in the British army, I have been in the army for about 5 years now due to the nature of the job I have never had the chance serve with the same person for more than 2 years.

The naturalisation form, the referees have to know you for 3 years or more, my Commanding officer and my troop commander are willing to sign the refree but I have just been working with them for about 2 years and they will be posted again in the next few month to another Regiment.

This has been my mean concern I don't know how to go about it any advice on what to do.

Post by **John** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:50 pm

Possibly a previous Commanding officer and a previous troop commander? Is that a possibility?

The point is that as long as the person first met you 3, or more, years ago, then they can certify they have known you for those numbers of years. There is not the need for there to have been continuous contact over the period of time.

One of the referees who signed my wife's form could honestly sign that he had known her for 22 years. At the time he was a Christian missionary in Thailand, and little did either of them realise that 22 years later, after he retired from missionary work, they would be living about 20 miles apart in the UK!

Its a small world ... think big about who could sign your form!

slam33 · Post by **slam33** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:09 pm

Thanks for the quck reply the problem is my former Commanding officer is in Iraq the moment and my troop commander is posted to Germany it will be very hard to get in touch with them

Post by **John** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:22 pm

But anyone else? It has not got to be people holding those positions ... it can be anyone. Any soldiers you have served with? Girlfriends? Indeed any British Citizen aged 25 or above you know who you have known for at least 3 years.

slam33 · Post by **slam33** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:02 am

Thanks John

the main point is in the Army every one do normaly get 24 to 26 month posting Order regardless of rank.

Being in the Army for 5 years, and I have only been in the country for 5 years and few month I joined the Army when I was only 2 months in the Country.

I did not have the chance at all to know any one else apart from work Colleagues and Comrades.

I know is a sad life moving up and down the all world not even having just on person you can call a friend I spend my last 4 years Abroad Germany Falkland and Canada.

What can I do? that is what I'm being paid to do

Post by **John** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:37 am

I think it comes down to you thinking about who you might have worked with at least 3 years ago, who are British and who are at least 25 years of age. Are you still in contact with anyone in that category?

You mentioned people currently in Germany and Iraq. OK Iraq might be a bit more problematic, but there is a good postal service from Germany. After getting confirmation that the person there is willing to act as a referee for you, send the form to him to complete.

But when you first joined the army, you were in a training camp in the UK? Anyone working there at that training camp might be able to assist you?

Post by **JAJ** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:28 pm

John wrote:You mentioned people currently in Germany and Iraq. OK Iraq might be a bit more problematic, but there is a good postal service from Germany.

I would have thought that the BFPO mail service extends to British personnel in Iraq - no need to use the regular mail in that case.

Marco 72 · Post by **Marco 72** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:30 pm

John wrote:You mentioned people currently in Germany and Iraq. OK Iraq might be a bit more problematic, but there is a good postal service from Germany. After getting confirmation that the person there is willing to act as a referee for you, send the form to him to complete.

I'm not sure that would help, since they have known him for less than 3 years. Also, not any British citizen will do: one of the referees has to be a "person of professional standing".

Post by **John** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:44 pm

I agree that one of the new requirements is for at least one of the referees to be a person of sufficient standing. Officers in the armed forces are in that category.

As are, incidentally, "personal licensees", which I take to mean those running a Public House ... whose name is above the door of the Pub. Food for thought there, or should that be "drink for thought"?

I make these comments in the absence of guidance from IND about who are acceptable to sign the form as a person of sufficient standing. However there is guidance as regards the countersignatory on an application form for a British passport, and I would be amazed if the list was any different for the Citizenship application form.

slam33 · Post by **slam33** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:49 pm

Wow! were should I start from, first sorry for not replying back since my

last message. I have been on tour that is the resaon why, however I just decided to send my application form just like that.

To my surprise I just recieved British Citizenship Ceremony from the

council this morning that I should attend but I haven't receive any letter

from the Home Office

darksquid · Post by **darksquid** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:14 pm

congrats! That was fast!

Do you have any idea if they contacted either of your referees?

One of mine (retired policeman) is elderly and quite ill, and although he agreed to be a referee and do whatever was asked of him, I hate the thought of him being bothered with this.

slam33 · Post by **slam33** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 1:32 pm

Not at all because both of my referees have been on tour with me for the past 4 weeks

darksquid · Post by **darksquid** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:37 pm

Thanks, and welcome home from being on tour. This must have been a nice thing to come home to!

Why don't you post your timeline to the naturalisation timeline thread? It's really helpful for others who are waiting (like me)!

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BRITISH CITIZENSHIP REFEREES PROBLEM

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP REFEREES PROBLEM