Naturalisation qualification period

[Olakunlet]

Hello, I got ilr as a dependent of a tier 2 holder around January this year. My wife which was the main applicant had her citizenship ceremony last week. I was hoping to apply for citizenship one year after ilr which will be January 2026 but someone just told me I can apply now because my partner is now a citizen. I would like to clarify if this is true or I should just wait will January. Thanks in anticipation of your reply.

[alterhase58]

As your wife is British now and you hold ILR you can apply for naturalisation immediately.

Please review the AN guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... accessible

[Olakunlet]

Thank you for your reply. My wife unfortunately sent her naturalisation certificate to the passport office without making a copy so I could not get the certificate number to complete my application. She got a notification that there was an error on her certificate and that it has been sent for correction however it would not affect printing of her passport which has now been sent. I have checked and the certificate might take up to 6 months to return back to us.
My question is, can I use her British passport in place of naturalisation certificate to support my application under section section 6(2)?
If yes, on the application form, there is a place to fill in naturalisation certificate, can I put passport number instead? And add a cover letter or do I wait until it comes back whenever.

[Olakunlet]

Hello, can i get some help please?

[secret.simon]

You may have to wait for an answer to your question simply because not many people would have been in your situation. I am inclined to think your situation may be unique as I don't recall such a question on the forums before.

Most people would/should have made a copy/digital scan of the naturalisation certificate for their record, or they apply a while later, when they do have their spouse's naturalisation certificate in hand.

You can try and apply with your spouse's passport OR you can wait until the naturalisation certificate is returned OR wait for a year and apply in your own right after completing one year on ILR.

This is a choice that you have to make.

[contorted_svy]

The easiest option is to apply on your own right in January 2026, it's not that long to wait at this point.