Travel and Naturalisation Ceremony/Passport

[Redstar222]

Thanks to everyone on previous advice on my citizenship application. I just received confirmation of the approval and a request to book a citizenship ceremony from my local council. My only concern is that I will be travelling quite a bit and, on top of this, my current passport is due to expire in February (so slightly less than six months validly by the time of my last trip). I have 5 weeks between some of this travel starting in mid-July and not sure my best option.

Should I a) renew my current passport and wait to do the citizenship ceremony after my last international trip (this will be within the 3 month period to schedule the ceremony date) OR b) schedule the ceremony and try to get my first UK passport so that there's no concern with the other passport have less than six months before it expires. My last trip is to my home country, so I only need to be sure I can transit through countries on flights and reenter the UK without issue.

Many thanks for any advice!

[contorted_svy]

When is the first ceremony available? It all depends on that. I would see what dates are available, and then plan accordingly. It takes up to 3 weeks to get your first British passport.

[Redstar222]

The next two ceremonies don’t leave enough time to get a U.K. passport (less than 3 weeks before travel), so I think I either need to renew my U.S. passport when I have the 5-week window before my next trip or pay for a private ceremony and get the U.K. passport within that same window of time.

If I renew my U.S. passport, do I just submit the old passport (with my entry stamp) with my U.K. passport application, or would I send the old and new US passport along with my naturalisation certificate?

[lolo2]

Yes, you send both including the passport you used for the citizenship application to get your first British passport.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-pa ... d-to-apply

I would avoid any headache with this and book the ceremony after all the travels.

[contorted_svy]

Advise to get a ceremony after you are back and sort it all out then.