Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[CULLINAN]

Yes I received my approval letter in post yesterday (dated 10th Nov). The wordings are as above latter case. 12 weeks wait is not mentioned.
I think the backlog has subsided. Ceremony invitations should be sent quicker now.

[Frou01]

Hello people,

I recently emailed home office and obviously received a automated email. Strangely it is quite different than the previous one.

Before
When your application has been approved, your invitation will be sent when your Local Authority is in a position to host your ceremony and it may take up to 12 weeks for your ceremony invite to be sent.

Now
Whilst we will continue to work closely with our local authorities to expand the provision of citizenship ceremonies, including the expansion of availability of virtual ceremonies, due to the changing restrictions and guidance relating to COVID-19, it is not possible at this time to advise when a certificate will be despatched once an application has been approved.

So this means waiting time is not 12 weeks anymore longer than that?

I guess they have cleared a huge part of the backlog and it would be good news to newly approved applicant things moving forward.

However I hope they really look after people who have been approved since 6 months and haven’t heard anything yet too.

[Szrsrts]

Hello people,

I recently emailed home office and obviously received a automated email. Strangely it is quite different than the previous one.

Before
When your application has been approved, your invitation will be sent when your Local Authority is in a position to host your ceremony and it may take up to 12 weeks for your ceremony invite to be sent.

Now
Whilst we will continue to work closely with our local authorities to expand the provision of citizenship ceremonies, including the expansion of availability of virtual ceremonies, due to the changing restrictions and guidance relating to COVID-19, it is not possible at this time to advise when a certificate will be despatched once an application has been approved.

So this means waiting time is not 12 weeks anymore longer than that?

I guess they have cleared a huge part of the backlog and it would be good news to newly approved applicant things moving forward.

However I hope they really look after people who have been approved since 6 months and haven’t heard anything yet too.

Am 13 weeks already and still waiting. Same council late August ve September approvals already started to have their ceremonies which is really good.

[en_ilegna]

Good to hear that some may/june approvals are starting to receive good news..looks like there is something happening with may/june approvals..as i have read in this thread, the HO is printing certificate according to approval dates but it seems some august and even september approvals have their certificate already..

@baybars1..any thought on this,.maybe you can shed some light..thanks..

Hello morning what is your time line? Thank you

application: nov 2019
approval: june 2020
still waiting for invitation letter/certificate

[toombs]

Nope...still nothing
19th of August approval here...Still waiting for the invitation letter(it will be 3 months on 19th of November). Contacted Bristol council on Thursday, I was told that they waiting for big batch and I was asked to call them back next week... : cry its like never-ending story...

15 th August here.. Still waiting.

Thanks to everyone updating us from Bristol. It’s useful to see other people’s timelines.

I’m Bristol Council too and still waiting. I was approved on 15th September.

Could anyone from Bristol tell me if they would go ahead with a ceremony when the certificate would be there, but not the invitation letter?
A friend is waiting in Bristol and we are wondering if they confirm next week they have received her certificate with that big batch (as August approval too) to go-ahead for the case the invitation letter still doesn’t come.

Hi, there I'm a Bristol council.
As far as I'm aware each time I call them to ask about my certificate I was told that in order to attend the ceremony I need to have my invitation letter. But that's me. Maybe call them just to be 100% sure.

[Rabs]

Yes I received my approval letter in post yesterday (dated 10th Nov). The wordings are as above latter case. 12 weeks wait is not mentioned.
I think the backlog has subsided. Ceremony invitations should be sent quicker now.

I also received my approval on the 12th of Nov & it didn't mention any 12 weeks wait, guess it's a little faster now.

[Enigma-Machine]

Date applied :17 June 2020
Date of biometrics : 04 August 2020
Date of approval: 07 August 2020
Invitation letter dated : 02 November 2020
Invitation letter received : 11 November 2020
Citizenship ceremony : 17 November 2020!
Council : Westminister

Hi - Congrats for booking your Ceremony. How did you manage to book the ceremony with Westminster? Everytime I took to book on their website it always give an error saying no Ceremonies are available.

[iwich]

Did anyone here had a private ceremony already ? I've booked mine and wanted to check what is the procedure you go through, anything to be mindful/aware of ?

[ILR1980]

So my registras just booked a cermony for me within 3 days without me recieving any invitation letter. They are asking to bring two things 1) photographic ID and 2) Home Office letter confirming my citizenship has been accepted

So basically its free private cermony with only me , Superintendent Registrar and photographer if required

[CULLINAN]

So my registras just booked a cermony for me within 3 days without me recieving any invitation letter. They are asking to bring two things 1) photographic ID and 2) Home Office letter confirming my citizenship has been accepted

So basically its free private cermony with only me , Superintendent Registrar and photographer if required

What date were you approved? What is your council if you do not mind sharing?

[ILR1980]

So my registras just booked a cermony for me within 3 days without me recieving any invitation letter. They are asking to bring two things 1) photographic ID and 2) Home Office letter confirming my citizenship has been accepted

So basically its free private cermony with only me , Superintendent Registrar and photographer if required

What date were you approved? What is your council if you do not mind sharing?

Council is Southampton ,Hampshire
Date of application:, 28July 2020
BIOMETRIC ENROLMENT : 12 August 2020
Decision email with Approval : 18August 2020
Letter received from local registrars (asking to book ceremony with them) : 14 Nov 2020

Ceremony booking confirmation and attached letter with date /time and instruction on it recieved today morninv on 16th via email so having ceremony on wednesday

[CULLINAN]

Thank you

[LiverpoolYNWA]

Good news and bad news.

Today, I received a letter from the council saying they got my my certificate and told me to attend on the 22nd of November.
Bad news is I still haven't received the invitation letter.

Council - Liverpool City.
Application date - August 2019
Approved - 5 August 2020
Invitation letter - Not received.
Ceremony date - 22nd of November.

Just an update:

Last week, I called the council and they said I can attend the ceremony without an invitation letter.

However, today I received the invitation letter, it's dated 22nd of October. So it took over 3 weeks for letter to arrive.

Timeline again:

Applied - August 2019
Approved - 05 August 2020
Council letter asking to attend the ceremony - 10 Nov (dated 8 Nov).
Invitation letter - received 15 Nov (dated 22 October).
Council: Liverpool City
Ceremony date: 22nd of November

I would like to thank Baybars and the moderators.

[otuel]

Hi,
First of all, thank you for this forum and thank you everyone who contributes.

My wife and I became a British citizens.

Final timelines:
Application: 2nd of April 2020
Biometrics: 10th of July 2020
Approval email: 9th of October 2020 (dated 22nd of July 2020 - I contacted HO on 2nd of October 2020 as we did not get any update for 6 months)
Invitation letter: 5th of November 2020 (dated 18th of October 2020)
Private ceremony (Bristol, £140 fee each): 16th of November 2020

I think Bristol City Council requires an invitation letter to attend the ceremony. Someone from this forum done it without the letter, but it was some time ago. They told me on the phone that I have to produce an invitation letter to get a ceremony.

Thank you again and good luck everyone!

otuel

[Itabra]

Hi 1lexD
is KCC Maidstone Council?
My wife has been approved on the 17 of August but not letter received yet.

Hello good morning. I was approved on the 15 th August haven't received either. Did you get in touch with council?

I tried to call them at the number provided on their website but after ringing for a minute they hang up.

It is not they hang up they never answer. Best way to contact with them is email.

Today arrived the letter form HO dated 9Nov!
It says to get in touch with KENT Council within 21day of the day of the letter.
Tried to call them at the number in the HO letter (that is the same in he KCC website) but no answer from the KCC. I will send an email.
Letter from KCC not received yet.I hope it will arrive this week. But what if it doesn't and they don't answer to phone/email?

Anyone else with KCC can share their experience?

tks

[Frou01]

I’m so happy to say, my invitation letter has arrived now.

Dated 5th November.

I have been approved 10 August.

My certificate has arrived last week with my council and I have already booked a ceremony for beginning December.
However as my last piece of puzzle is now completed I can book a private ceremony and will make up my mind if I will book the sooner appointment offered by my Registry Office.

Dear everyone, thank you for all support and patience.

I will be around as I truly hope you all have your good news soon.

Bless x

[Szrsrts]

Hello good morning. I was approved on the 15 th August haven't received either. Did you get in touch with council?

I tried to call them at the number provided on their website but after ringing for a minute they hang up.

It is not they hang up they never answer. Best way to contact with them is email.

Today arrived the letter form HO dated 9Nov!
It says to get in touch with KENT Council within 21day of the day of the letter.
Tried to call them at the number in the HO letter (that is the same in he KCC website) but no answer from the KCC. I will send an email.
Letter from KCC not received yet.I hope it will arrive this week. But what if it doesn't and they don't answer to phone/email?

Anyone else with KCC can share their experience?

tks

Hello strange I was approved on the 15 th August haven't received anything yet. You can only contact with them via email by the way.

[londuk1]

I’m so happy to say, my invitation letter has arrived now.

Dated 5th November.

I have been approved 10 August.

My certificate has arrived last week with my council and I have already booked a ceremony for beginning December.
However as my last piece of puzzle is now completed I can book a private ceremony and will make up my mind if I will book the sooner appointment offered by my Registry Office.

Dear everyone, thank you for all support and patience.

I will be around as I truly hope you all have your good news soon.

Bless x

Lucky you, I am still waiting and my council keep insisting that I need the letter to book a ceremony even though they already have my certificate. Congratulations

[Frou01]

I’m so happy to say, my invitation letter has arrived now.

Dated 5th November.

I have been approved 10 August.

My certificate has arrived last week with my council and I have already booked a ceremony for beginning December.
However as my last piece of puzzle is now completed I can book a private ceremony and will make up my mind if I will book the sooner appointment offered by my Registry Office.

Dear everyone, thank you for all support and patience.

I will be around as I truly hope you all have your good news soon.

Bless x

Lucky you, I am still waiting and my council keep insisting that I need the letter to book a ceremony even though they already have my certificate. Congratulations

Thank you

Did your council confirm today the certificate has arrived?

[baybars1]

I’m so happy to say, my invitation letter has arrived now.

Dated 5th November.

I have been approved 10 August.

My certificate has arrived last week with my council and I have already booked a ceremony for beginning December.
However as my last piece of puzzle is now completed I can book a private ceremony and will make up my mind if I will book the sooner appointment offered by my Registry Office.

Dear everyone, thank you for all support and patience.

I will be around as I truly hope you all have your good news soon.

Bless x

Congratulations! You should have your British passport done this side of Christmas, so you can leave that ordeal firmly behind you in 2020.

[Frou01]

I’m so happy to say, my invitation letter has arrived now.

Dated 5th November.

I have been approved 10 August.

My certificate has arrived last week with my council and I have already booked a ceremony for beginning December.
However as my last piece of puzzle is now completed I can book a private ceremony and will make up my mind if I will book the sooner appointment offered by my Registry Office.

Dear everyone, thank you for all support and patience.

I will be around as I truly hope you all have your good news soon.

Bless x

Congratulations! You should have your British passport done this side of Christmas, so you can leave that ordeal firmly behind you in 2020.

Thank you. That would be nice.

Dear Baybars1, many thanks for your wonderful support and patience. It’s so much appreciated.

[baybars1]

Thank you. That would be nice.

Dear Baybars1, many thanks for your wonderful support and patience. It’s so much appreciated.

You are most welcome

[VulgarisMagistralis]

I just received an email from Hammersmith and Fulham council. This is what it says (without names):

Dear [VulgarisMagistralis]

I would like to inform you we have now received your certificate. This means you can now be booked in for a ceremony, we are offering both group and private. If you could please provide us with your contact number and we will call you to discuss booking you in for a ceremony.

Kind regards,

[Bubbles]

Registration officer

Registrars

Hammersmith & Fulham Council

020 8753 2140

registeroffice@lbhf.gov.uk

www.lbhf.gov.uk/registrars

My approval letter was sent on the 13/08/2020 via email. I did not receive a ceremony letter yet. It took exactly 3 months.

Hi,

My borough is also F&H. Although my husband and I received our approval recently, 2nd Nov I am fully aware that we still have a long way to go given the current situation. Just curious - did they email you straightaway or did you have to contact/chase them prior to their email update on having your certificate?

Hello,

I did chase them previously (sent 4 emails). I am not sure whether that made any difference. It seems to me that they proactively call the people whose certificate arrived. But that's only conjecture.

[VulgarisMagistralis]

Ok, final report for my process:


Council ....................................... Hammersmith and Fulham
Date biometrics enrolled ...................... 01/08/2020
Date on Approval letter ....................... 13/08/2020
Date of receipt of approval letter ............ 13/08/2020 (email)
Date of receipt of certificate ................ 13/11/2020
Date of receipt of ceremony invitation letter . 16/11/2020
Date on ceremony invitation letter ............ 07/11/2020
Date of Ceremony .............................. 25/11/2020


My ceremony will be a group ceremony, 5 people limit. There is no possibility to invite anyone in both private and group ceremonies (thus I opted for the group flavour.)

I'll meet you good people in the passport thread next! Good luck everyone!

[dragon098]

oh my god you are right.
I just searched on Wandsworth council online ceremony booking system with my approval letter reference number and they got my certificate. woohoo
So my invitation letter should be on the way to me this week.

Hi Londuk1, I am from Wandsworth council too, Could you please tell me when you go to Wandsworth council page "Please enter your home office reference" This is the reference number that is within our approval email isn't it. And please do update your status. Good Luck