Apply for citizenship and passport at the same time

[ax1ss]

Hello,

In Feb 2019 I have applied through the new home office's online service for a British citizenship over naturalisation , using Sopra Steria.

I have submitted all my documents and my biometrics were taken during my appointment with Sopra steria .

Today I received a post inviting me at a ceremony as my application was successful

It is unclear to me if they will give me the corresponding passport as well or would I need to separately apply for the passport after the ceremony.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[CR001]

No they won't. Passport is a separate application which you can only apply for after you have attended your ceremony.

[ax1ss]

Thanks.
I know in the past ( by Oct. 2018) this was different as you could have applied for both in one go. Odd.
If they don't hand you a passport , what is really the reason for taking your pictures and biometrics during the application meeting ?

[CR001]

I know in the past ( by Oct. 2018) this was different as you could have applied for both in one go. Odd.

Yes through NCS or NDRS at the council. There were a few issues though, with applicants being refused citizenship and also losing the passport fee paid.

If they don't hand you a passport , what is really the reason for taking your pictures and biometrics during the application meeting ?

To confirm your identity and the you are the person on the paperwork who is applying. Otherwise anyone could say my name is so and so and apply with anyone's documents, ie identity theft.

[ax1ss]

Thank you!

[Cocoaliz]

Does it mean we need to submit referees form again? ie ask our referees to sign again for the passport application?

[CR001]

Does it mean we need to submit referees form again? ie ask our referees to sign again for the passport application?

Yes. For Passport it is one professional referee.

[ax1ss]

As I quickly checked on gov.uk website, the passport application is online and it may require an interview. Any ideas what this interview would be about, questions etc?

Also, would you need to meet the referee in person again, to sign the form or can this be done online?

Thanks

[CR001]

As I quickly checked on gov.uk website, the passport application is online and it may require an interview. Any ideas what this interview would be about, questions etc?

You can apply online OR use the paper form you get from the Post Office. Interviews are rare these days. Examples in link below. It really is only to confirm you are who you say you are etc.

british-citizenship/passport-interview- ... 64893.html

Also, would you need to meet the referee in person again, to sign the form or can this be done online?

I am not familiar with the online form so cannot comment.

[Alien2017]

If you apply online, you will be asked to provide an email address for the referee, and they will receive an email that will ask them to confirm your identity and address and then provide their details so you don't have to meet them and they don't have to sign anything. Just let them know they'll get the email. Only after they have confirmed your identity you will receive another email with the address where to send your documents to. It's pretty straight forward and you are updated all the time in the process by email and text.

[ax1ss]

Thant sounds much better from the traditional way. The waiting time stated as 6 weeks , which is not ideal, but hey.

[Alien2017]

No, it doesn't take that long don't worry, it's around 10 days - 2 weeks, there is a timeline for passport processing time you can follow.

[ax1ss]

A , most likely, silly question, but when you acquire British citizenship, do you hold it for life or can it be in jeopardy if you are absent from the country for i e. X years etc

[alterhase58]

Any British citizen can leave the UK for any period of time or forever, for whatever reason. It is not like PR or ILR with a limit on absence after which you loose that status.