Citizenship Application

[pauldm21]

Hi folks,

I am about to start my wife's Citizenship application. She was granted ILR last year and her BRP was issued on 05/12/18. She applied for ILR in June/July 2018.

She was on the 5 year route and due to delays with a few of her applications between her first entry to the UK and now, she has now been here as my Spouse for 6.5years.

Can we apply for citizenship now, or do we have to wait until 05/12/19? Having had a look at the site for the application, there is a service update saying applications are currently being delayed and you expect to wait up to 45days for authorisation to book an appointment (I assume for the ceremony), after submitting the application. The 45days would take us beyond 05/12/19.

Also, is submitting the citizenship application also submitting a British passport application or does that have to be done separately after the citizenship has been granted? I had read there was a way that they took the citizenship application as applying for a passport at the same time.

Thanks in advance for your help

[CR001]

As you are British, she could have applied as soon as she got her ilr. There was no need to wait.

Can we apply for citizenship now, or do we have to wait until 05/12/19? Having had a look at the site for the application, there is a service update saying applications are currently being delayed and you expect to wait up to 45days for authorisation to book an appointment (I assume for the ceremony), after submitting the application. The 45days would take us beyond 05/12/19.

No it is not the ceremony. It is the appointment with ukcvas to enrol biometrics and document check. Not sure why going beyond 5 Dec is relevant.

[pauldm21]

Hi CR001,

Thanks. I thought 5 Dec was relevant because that was the date of issue on her BRP and I was under the (wrong) impression she had to wait 12 months before applying for Citizenship.

Just one other question: how do we meet the requirement of proving my wife was in the UK exactly 5 yrs before the date of application? (Ie what proof do they look for?)

Thanks

[CR001]

If she applies as spouse of British citizen, it is based in 3 years residence.

Passports are sufficient to prove residence.