Naturalisation for Spouse...Certificate or Passport?...

[mhunjn]

Can the spouse of a british citizen apply for naturalisation after the other half has received the certificate for naturalisation?... or do they have to wait till the passport to send in the application forms?...

Assuming all other criterion have been met...

[John]

A person is British as soon as they have been handed their Certificate of Naturalisation! And there is no compulsion under UK law for British Citizens to apply for a passport! But British non-passport holders are no less British.

Can the spouse of a British citizen apply for naturalisation after the other half has received the certificate for naturalisation?

That would depend upon the whether the person who has suddenly become a spouse if a British Citizen has been in the UK at least three years. Specifically can they meet the "was in the UK exactly three years before IND receive the naturalisation application" test.

And of course other tests to be met as well.

[mhunjn]

Thanks for the comment John.

Since my approval has come through, we need to now apply for my wife. She has been here just over three years and we got the ILR at the same time in Nov'04.
However, my ceremony isn't due till end of the month, so I was wondering if we can apply for her straightaway after I get my certificate; OR if would be better to wait till I get my passport through.

From your comment it seems that the certificate should be fine. Thanks.

[John]

I was wondering if we can apply for her straightaway after I get my certificate; OR if would be better to wait till I get my passport

You are British as soon as the Certificate of Naturalisation is handed to you, so your wife can apply as soon as that has happened. But do ensure that she was physically in the UK exactly three years before IND will receive the application.

There is of course no compulsion under UK law for a British Citizen to have a passport. That is, if someone does not intend to travel internationally then they might not bother to get a passport. However non-passport holders are no less British.

[mhunjn]

Thanks John. We are OK on the 3 yrs prior presence in the country & much under the allowance for 'absent days'.