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when i get my british passport, is it still important to keep my naturalisation certificate on my files?
if i lose my naturalisation certificate even if i already have a british passport would it be ok?
do i need to carry the certificate when i travel even if i have a british passport already?

tier1extension wrote:when i get my british passport, is it still important to keep my naturalisation certificate on my files?
if i lose my naturalisation certificate even if i already have a british passport would it be ok?
do i need to carry the certificate when i travel even if i have a british passport already?

Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

It also currently costs about £86 for a replacement Naturalisation certificate, so good advice is to keep it safe!

vinitmanu wrote:Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

That is certainly true, and very good advice. In theory, the certificate of naturalisation is the only relevant document for citizenship. I just wondered, though: After getting the first passport, has anyone actually ever required the certificate again? I haven't.

Gyfrinachgar wrote:

vinitmanu wrote:Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

That is certainly true, and very good advice. In theory, the certificate of naturalisation is the only relevant document for citizenship. I just wondered, though: After getting the first passport, has anyone actually ever required the certificate again? I haven't.

My aunt received hers about 12 years ago and since then she hasn't found a reason to take it out. Of course, she took it out to compare when I received mine.

I class my naturalisation certificate in the same category as my birth and marriage certificates from my home country. So wouldn't want to lose either or throw them away simply because I might not need them! They are too important and as stated, a passport is only a travel document!

vinitmanu wrote:My aunt received hers about 12 years ago and since then she hasn't found a reason to take it out. Of course, she took it out to compare when I received mine.

Nice. Does it look any different from yours?

CR001 wrote:I class my naturalisation certificate in the same category as my birth and marriage certificates from my home country. So wouldn't want to lose either or throw them away simply because I might not need them! They are too important and as stated, a passport is only a travel document!

I never said that I do not value my certificate. I never classed it in any way (financially, emotionally, legally). I was just thinking loudly and wondered if anyone has ever needed it again after the first passport - because I don't think that is the case.

Gyfrinachgar wrote:

vinitmanu wrote:My aunt received hers about 12 years ago and since then she hasn't found a reason to take it out. Of course, she took it out to compare when I received mine.

Nice. Does it look any different from yours?

The obvious difference I can think of now was the colour. Hers was sort of white ish in colour. However, she said that she never had to attend a ceremony but rather sign a letter sent to her in a post with an oath on. Interesting !

vinitmanu wrote:The obvious difference I can think of now was the colour. Hers was sort of white ish in colour. However, she said that she never had to attend a ceremony but rather sign a letter sent to her in a post with an oath on. Interesting !

The certificate sounds like mine. What colour is yours then?
[Edit: never mind, found them: old, new].

Yes, the ceremonies are a relatively recent thing, I think they were introduced 10 years ago. However, I thought that prior to the ceremonies the oath had still to be given personally, in front of a certifying notary or attorny or something (informally within seconds, without any ceremony). I may be mistaken though - that was just before I decided to follow that path.

Gyfrinachgar wrote: Yes, the ceremonies are a relatively recent thing, I think they were introduced 10 years ago. However, I thought that prior to the ceremonies the oath had still to be given personally, in front of a certifying notary or attorny or something (informally within seconds, without any ceremony). I may be mistaken though - that was just before I decided to follow that path.

Mine's more towards light brown (excuse my colour recognition ignorance). I'm sure someone from the forum will correct me.

tier1extension wrote:
Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

From UKBA website: "The most acceptable evidence of British citizenship is a British passport."

So passport IS a proof of citizenship. Saying that, you are more likely to loose your passport or get it stolen while traveling so keep your Certificate safe!

andrej wrote:

tier1extension wrote:
Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

From UKBA website: "The most acceptable evidence of British citizenship is a British passport."

So passport IS a proof of citizenship. Saying that, you are more likely to loose your passport or get it stolen while traveling so keep your Certificate safe!

Agreed, and that is because passport has all the information including your nationality and photo ID to prove that you are British. But my reply was based on OP questioning the significance of preserving naturalisation certificate after getting British passport.

FYI, for most people on this forum, you can never get your first British Passport without your naturalisation certificate. Having said that, you can still stay in this country as a 'British citizen' without ever getting a passport.

tier1extension wrote:when i get my british passport, is it still important to keep my naturalisation certificate on my files?
if i lose my naturalisation certificate even if i already have a british passport would it be ok?
do i need to carry the certificate when i travel even if i have a british passport already?

Finallly someone reminds me of this question . Actually , after receiving my passport last year , i called IPS whether i should keep my certificate and they advised to keep it safe because even though the passport is the main ID document and proof of citizenship , the certificate is as important as your birth certificate . So keep it safe .

vinitmanu wrote:

tier1extension wrote:when i get my british passport, is it still important to keep my naturalisation certificate on my files?
if i lose my naturalisation certificate even if i already have a british passport would it be ok?
do i need to carry the certificate when i travel even if i have a british passport already?

Naturalisation certificate is the proof that you are a British Citizen. Passport is only a travel document. Please please don't lose your certificate. However, you do not need to carry the certificate while traveling.

I disagree, passport is also proof of British Nationality. According to UKBA the most acceptable proof of British citizenship is a passport. Once you have a passport, the certificate is not really important.

One important aspect the certificate proves and a passport doesn't is when you became a BC. This might be relevant later in life so worth keep it safe.

Jambo wrote:One important aspect the certificate proves and a passport doesn't is when you became a BC. This might be relevant later in life so worth keep it safe.

Yes ur right Jambo.