Traveling after the oath before the passport

[cliftonianbristol]

Finally, my wife's naturalisation application is approved.
I understand that we have 3 month for the ceremony to take the oath.
Due to various travel commitments, we are trying to figure out how to handle it.
- the home office email says that the ceremony needs take take place within 3 months. is this rule strict? what happens if we cannot?
- after the oath is it possible to travel without the british passport and reenter the UK? her ILR will be still valid on her original passport and she carries a no-visa non-eu passport.

[contorted_svy]

Finally, my wife's naturalisation application is approved.
I understand that we have 3 month for the ceremony to take the oath.
Due to various travel commitments, we are trying to figure out how to handle it.
- the home office email says that the ceremony needs take take place within 3 months. is this rule strict? what happens if we cannot? The certificate will be returned to the Home Office.


- after the oath is it possible to travel without the british passport and reenter the UK? her ILR will be still valid on her original passport and she carries a no-visa non-eu passport. She will not be eligible for an ETA once she attends the ceremony, and her ILR status will no longer be valid. It's a gamble as she may be denied boarding.

Best course of action is to contact the council and arrange a private ceremony at a convenient time. When are you due to leave and come back?

[cliftonianbristol]

We are travelling back June 2nd. You’re right we will need a private ceremony.

[sam550]

I’m not sure about your council, but with Wirral Council, I was able to have my private ceremony on the same day they received my certificate. Just 15 minutes and £90 out of pocket later, I had my certificate, and my passport arrived exactly one week later.

[missmarch]

If you need to retain your original passport for travel purposes, you can send a colour photocopy of the passport along with a cover letter explaining your reasons. It was accepted when I did it.