**** Urgent - British Citizenship application****

[deepthichinnappan]

I am writing re: British citizenship by naturalisation.

1. I did make an application on 02-10-2025(2nd October 2025), which I have now withdrawn(before going for Biometric) as I realised that I have made a mistake in the application while choosing ‘Yes or No’.

In my application, I have given all the proof of my entry clearance and ILR. I did not want my application to be rejected because of my innocent mistake. Hence, I did withdraw it.
Withdrawn Application Reference:
Withdrawal request number / Record Number:

2. I did make an application on 04-10-2025(4th October 2025), which I have now withdrawn (before going for Biometric) as I realised that I forgot to upload my council tax proof. I did not want my application to be
rejected because of my innocent mistake. Hence, I did withdraw it.
Withdrawn Application Reference:
Withdrawal request number / Record Number:

3. Then I submitted a new application on the same day 4th October and I need to give bio metric by 4th dec

I received 2 emails for 2 applications from UKVI -stating "your withdrawal request has been received"

My question is:

One solicitor is telling we need to wait for biometric until the withdrawn application's status is fully withdrawn/ cancelled. I need to get a confirmation from home office on this else there is potential cause that this would be treated as duplicate application as the status is still active and not 'cancelled' . This timeline for me to get this confirmation would take 2 to 3 weeks.

Another solicitor is telling that : Attending UKVCAS biometrics for your 4 October application will not be treated as you “running duplicate” cases or doing anything wrong while the two earlier applications sit at “withdrawal requested.” Biometrics are tied to the application you proceed with, and UKVI handles withdrawals separately through the GOV.UK “Withdraw this application” route; simply don’t click “resume” on the older records

Which is true? What should I do now? My deadline for Biometric on this new application is Dec 4

[CR001]

You do NOT need to submit council tax documents.

Good grief, you rushed to do something and withdraw when it really wasn't necessary. Why do you think you need to submit any council tax documents?

[deepthichinnappan]

I was told its a mandatory document

[CR001]

It is not. The UKVI guidance is very clear. If your passport gets stamped, as yours likely does given you have an Indian flag, you only need the stamped pages to prove residence.

Whoever told you this is talking rubbish.

[indian89]

It is not. The UKVI guidance is very clear. If your passport gets stamped, as yours likely does given you have an Indian flag, you only need the stamped pages to prove residence.

Whoever told you this is talking rubbish.

Is the confusion as passports are not getting stamped these days so people thinking you need to show extra evidence?

[alterhase58]

UKVI collect airline advance passenger information and border entry data instead of issuing stamps.

[deepthichinnappan]

I was told Council tax, bank statement, utility bill, continuous employment (p45), payslip are needed

[CR001]

I was told Council tax, bank statement, utility bill, continuous employment (p45), payslip are needed

You were told wrong.

Bank statements are not accepted anyway.

Employment is not a requitment for citizenship either.

If your passport gets stamped, that is all you need.

[indian89]

I was told Council tax, bank statement, utility bill, continuous employment (p45), payslip are needed

You were told wrong.

Bank statements are not accepted anyway.

Employment is not a requitment for citizenship either.

If your passport gets stamped, that is all you need.

But passports are not being stamped these days....

[mastidl]

I was told Council tax, bank statement, utility bill, continuous employment (p45), payslip are needed

You were told wrong.

Bank statements are not accepted anyway.

Employment is not a requitment for citizenship either.

If your passport gets stamped, that is all you need.

But passports are not being stamped these days....

I recently travelled to India with my family in March 2025 and came in May 2025. My spouse and kids applied for ILR in Jul 2025. We dont have stamps for this recent travel when entering into UK, still my spouse and kids got ILR. so dont worry and believe in the forum moderators.

[deepthichinnappan]

Hi,

I submitted all my documents for British citizenship application. In this I have given last 5 year statements for my salary account(Natwest), my spending account (Halifax).

Under Halifax, I have 2 accounts. I forgot to upload the statements for my second account. I am worried. what should I do now? Should I contact home office and upload it?

Please can some one help?

The documents provided include:
• Full copy of my current passport (all pages)
• Copies of previous passports
• Proof of UK residence and Finance:
o Bank statements (Halifax, Starling, NatWest)
o Council tax bills
o Passport stamps indicating entry and short trips
• House purchase documents (as joint residence proof for myself and my spouse)
• Life in the UK certificate (Pass Certificate to live in UK and to obtain Indefinite leave to Remain)
• Marriage certificate (as joint residence proof)
• Official transcript – UK NARIC
• Degree certificate – to prove my education and English level
• Two referee declaration forms – To prove my residence and good character
• My spouse’s passport
• My spouse’s UK citizenship certificate
• P45/ Employer letter /Self-Assessment form confirming continuous employment over the past 5 years
• Employer letter from Housing21 (covering employment from September 2017 to April 2021)
• P60 for current employment (including tax code)
• Payslips for Primary current job for the last 6 months
• Payslips for Secondary job for the last 4 months
• Halifax bank statements (with address and transaction details) – covering the last 5 years
• Council tax bills – covering the last 5 years
• Photocopies of my ILR documentation

[contorted_svy]

You sent way too many documents already, bank statements are not accepted evidence for citizenship anyway. Don't fret.

[deepthichinnappan]

oh!! Many many thanks.

So even if they need, they will contact me right? they will not reject my application telling I am hiding this bank account? I did not mean to hide . it is a sub account. I have got everything ready. I did not upload it my mistake

[CR001]

Topics merged!!!

You have completely over complicated things by listening to someone that has no clue and talking rubbish. You have also ignored the advice in your topic you were already given.

Citizenship is NOT and immigration application and MINIMAL documents are required to naturalise as the OFFICIAL UKVI website states!!!

[deepthichinnappan]

Another Question - I have not had any birth certificate as I was born at home in India. I haven't submitted my birth certificate. Is this an issue?

[contorted_svy]

oh!! Many many thanks.

So even if they need, they will contact me right? they will not reject my application telling I am hiding this bank account? I did not mean to hide . it is a sub account. I have got everything ready. I did not upload it my mistake

You are over complicating things for them already by sending many extra documents that are irrelevant. Bank statements are not required in any way, shape or form. No one will think anything of this, and in case they needed something else they would contact you.

You won't need your birth certificate!!!

[deepthichinnappan]

You are my saviour. I have called my dad @10pm this night and disturbing him to see if we can get one!!

[contorted_svy]

Your dad can rest peacefully! No need for a birth certificate.

[deepthichinnappan]

Hello,

Thanks for answering all my questions regarding the British citizenship application.

I am trying to prepare for the next steps.

I am focusing on getting things sorted and speed up the process, as I have a trip booked in July (10th of July 2026 to India)

I have given my Bio-metric on 17th Oct 2025.
** How long will it take normally to get this citizenship process completed (I am going via 3 year route as my husband is a British)


1. Naturalisation : it is said that I can speed up the process with Private ceremony. I am also told that I may not receive the certificate the same day. - is this True?
What is the point if I don't get the certificate the same day? Can any one who attended the private ceremony or some one who knows about this answer me please?


2. Then I need to apply for my British passport - what are the documents I need to submit? I am aiming to go via fast track (I see it is 7 days ).
2.a) - what are the documents I need to submit for British passport?

3. Then I need to surrender my Indian passport - to get the renunciation certificate to apply for my OCI card. How do I do this? is there any fast track service?
3.a) what are the documents required?

4. Then to apply for my OCI card. What is the process? what are the documents I need to submit? Is there any fast track service?

[alterhase58]

Please keep all your posts in one thread

Hello,

Thanks for answering all my questions regarding the British citizenship application.

I am trying to prepare for the next steps.

I am focusing on getting things sorted and speed up the process, as I have a trip booked in July (10th of July 2026 to India)

I have given my Bio-metric on 17th Oct 2025.
** How long will it take normally to get this citizenship process completed (I am going via 3 year route as my husband is a British)
UKVI standard target completion is 6 months - often it is faster, sometimes longer. There's no premium service for this, it's not an immigration application

1. Naturalisation : it is said that I can speed up the process with Private ceremony. I am also told that I may not receive the certificate the same day. - is this True? yes, whether public or private ceremony.
What is the point if I don't get the certificate the same day? Can any one who attended the private ceremony or some one who knows about this answer me please?
When you attend the ceremony you will receive the certificate then. Ceremony dates availability including private cermonies depends on each council.

2. Then I need to apply for my British passport - what are the documents I need to submit? I am aiming to go via fast track (I see it is 7 days ). Fast track is not available for first passport after naturalisation
2.a) - what are the documents I need to submit for British passport? Your certificate and foreign passport(s), originals required.

3. Then I need to surrender my Indian passport - to get the renunciation certificate to apply for my OCI card. How do I do this? is there any fast track service?
3.a) what are the documents required?

4. Then to apply for my OCI card. What is the process? what are the documents I need to submit? Is there any fast track service?

For 3. and 4. see the threads for OCI process in "Other Countries" forum.

[deepthichinnappan]

1. Naturalisation : it is said that I can speed up the process with Private ceremony. I am also told that I may not receive the certificate the same day. - is this True? yes, whether public or private ceremony.
What is the point if I don't get the certificate the same day? Can any one who attended the private ceremony or some one who knows about this answer me please?
When you attend the ceremony you will receive the certificate then. Ceremony dates availability including private ceremonies depends on each council.

I don't get this. So please confirm if my understanding is correct?

So, I will be given the certificate the same day when I attend the ceremony- IF I opt for private ceremony, I will get it the same day.

[alterhase58]

1. Naturalisation : it is said that I can speed up the process with Private ceremony. I am also told that I may not receive the certificate the same day. - is this True? yes, whether public or private ceremony.You can book a ceremony when the council has received the certificate. You need to check with the council ceremony availability and book accordingly. Of course the sooner you can book the earlier you will be.
What is the point if I don't get the certificate the same day? Can any one who attended the private ceremony or some one who knows about this answer me please?
When you attend the ceremony you will receive the certificate then. Ceremony dates availability including private ceremonies depends on each council.

I don't get this. So please confirm if my understanding is correct? I described you the standard process which is fixed.

So, I will be given the certificate the same day when I attend the ceremony- IF I opt for private ceremony, I will get it the same day.
Yes, The certificate will be handed to you during the ceremony, whenever that is. The ceremony is a legal requirement, so you won't be able to get the certificate before then. Childrens' certificates are generally posted to their address, as they don't have to attend a ceremony.

[contorted_svy]

For adults, you will get the certificate on the day of the ceremony, doesn't matter which kind of ceremony you pick. The only reason you may walk away without a certificate is if you spot a typo on your certificate (not a common occurrence though).

[deepthichinnappan]

Hi,

I can see that for a straight forward application it has taken normally 11-12 weeks as processing time. Some one who submitted July 17- got it on Oct 6. One of my friend has also got it like that. I have submitted the application on 17th Oct. Will the Dec holidays effect this process? Can I expect a result by mid Jan (hope everything goes smooth).

P.S - I am told that because I have uploaded many documents(for a safer side), mine will take long as they have to verify everything. Is this true?

[lolo2]

Take the timelines of others as an indication only, every application is unique and the processing times are not always the same. You already were advised that these applications can take up to six months.

Unsure why you uploaded 'many documents' when you were repeatedly advised those documents were not required. This is not an immigration application, more documents don't necessarily mean the application is 'safer'.