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Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:04 am
by Rofmr
I’m currently applying for UK naturalisation and need to provide two referees. The two people I’d like to use are a couple (not married) and live together. Would that be a problem, or is it still acceptable as long as they meet all the other criteria? Appreciate any insight!
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:24 am
by contorted_svy
No, they can't live at the same address.
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 10:45 am
by Ticktack
Technically, they can live at the same address, but they can't be related.
An example is if you had flatmates. If they both fit the criteria, you can use the pair of them.
But certainly not in your couple scenario!!
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 11:45 am
by contorted_svy
I found an interesting piece of guidance that I hadn't come across before:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... o_can_be_3
Referee: professions and relationships we cannot accept
A person cannot confirm a customer’s identity if they are:
living at the same address or related
a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they know the customer well (for example, they are a friend, not a patient)
an overseas agent helping the customer with their application (for example, a solicitor or commissioner of oaths)
HM Passport Office staff or contractors currently working for HM Passport Office
UK Visas and Immigration staff (UKVI), dealing with applications for British citizenship or right of abode in the UK
a civil servant, providing a service on behalf of HM Passport Office
Sopra Steria Ltd. staff, providing a service on behalf of HM Passport Office
So according to this referees can live at the same address and be related to each other as long as they don't live with the applicant or are related to the applicant.
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 2:18 pm
by Ticktack
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 11:45 am
I found an interesting piece of guidance that I hadn't come across before:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... o_can_be_3
Referee: professions and relationships we cannot accept
A person cannot confirm a customer’s identity if they are:
living at the same address or related
a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they know the customer well (for example, they are a friend, not a patient)
an overseas agent helping the customer with their application (for example, a solicitor or commissioner of oaths)
HM Passport Office staff or contractors currently working for HM Passport Office
UK Visas and Immigration staff (UKVI), dealing with applications for British citizenship or right of abode in the UK
a civil servant, providing a service on behalf of HM Passport Office
Sopra Steria Ltd. staff, providing a service on behalf of HM Passport Office
So according to this referees can live at the same address and be related to each other as long as they don't live with the applicant or are related to the applicant.
This guidance is for passport (HMPO), and you only need 1 referee for that. OP needs referees for naturalisation which has a different set of rules, but similar.
Referees must:
• not be a relative
• not be a solicitor or agent representing you on this application
• not be related to the other referee;
• not be employed by the Home Office;
• not have been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the last 10 years
(unless that conviction can be disregarded in line with the table shown in the
Guide);
• have known the applicant personally;
• be willing to give full details of their knowledge of the applicant;
• advise the Home Office of any reason why the applicant should not be
registered.
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 2:40 pm
by contorted_svy
Still not saying anywhere that referees can't live together - though for some reason I remember this was the case.
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 3:33 pm
by Ticktack
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 2:40 pm
Still not saying anywhere that referees can't live together - though for some reason I remember this was the case.
Technically, they can live at the same address, but they can't be related.
That's me!
No, they can't live at the same address.
That's you. You're the only one saying that they "can't".
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 3:46 pm
by contorted_svy
That is what I am saying - that I can't remember why I thought this was the case.
Re: Can both referees live at the same address if they’re a couple (unmarried)?
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 3:53 pm
by Ticktack
contorted_svy wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 3:46 pm
That is what I am saying - that I can't remember why I thought this was the case.
Gotcha, my bad. It happens to the best of us
. That's why we look over what others have written.