Referees for naturalisation application

[Pineapple]

hi, I am due to submit naturalisation application in a month time and have got a query regarding references. Please could those who have gone through the naturalisation process advise how would the Home Office approach the referees? e.g. would the referees be asked to provide a written reference or be asked to attend an interview (where - London?)?

I'd like to provide my referees with some ideas regarding what to expect. I tried searching the forum but have not found similar queries. Apologies if this has been asked before - if this is the case, please direct me to the post.

Thanks a lot for your help

[RobinLondon]

Make sure you discreetly ask your referees if they've ever been cautioned/convicted. I believe that police records might be checked...

[ppron747]

Rob makes a good point - I'd add that, in the vast majority of cases referees aren't contacted at all; it's a possibility, but only a slight one...

[Pineapple]

Thanks to both of you, mate. will try to find out if the two candidates that i have got in mind have convictions or not.

However, I would like to let my referees know what to expect. Please could those of you who have gone through the process and had your referees approached by the Home Office help me out.

Thanks a lot

[sywahu]

I don't think they verify references for every single application although there might be some standard checks with Credit Reference agencies etc. They are probably picked at random in most cases for "normal applications".

I was sort of worried about the same thing as you. But mine actually surprisingly came through in about 5 days!!

Good Luck!

[Dawie]

I don't think they verify references for every single application although there might be some standard checks with Credit Reference agencies etc. They are probably picked at random in most cases for "normal applications".

I was sort of worried about the same thing as you. But mine actually surprisingly came through in about 5 days!!

Good Luck!

The credit worthiness of your references is not an issue so I doubt very much that they will consult credit reference agencies.

[Christophe]

I have been a referee for several people seeking naturalisation. I have never been contacted. I have no way of knowing, of course, whether any enquires were made about me (e.g. that I actually reside at the address I gave, even that I actually exist!). I doubt that credit references would come into it, since the credit-worthiness or otherwise of a referee is not an issue. I think that checks are much more likely to be made with official bodies (e.g. as to address, convictions, etc).

Incidentally, I have similarly never been contacted when I have been a referee for people making a passport application - a different 'type' of refereeing, of course, since on a passport application one is merely stating that the person depicted in the photograph is a true representation of the person making the application, and that one has known that person for the required length of time. For a naturalisation application, of course, the referee is actually a sponsor, which is slightly different.

[bbdivo]

I'm sure at a bare minimum they check to see that the individuals are british citizens, they can check this from the pasport numbers and/or naturalisation number.

[Dawie]

I have been a referee for several people seeking naturalisation. I have never been contacted. I have no way of knowing, of course, whether any enquires were made about me (e.g. that I actually reside at the address I gave, even that I actually exist!). I doubt that credit references would come into it, since the credit-worthiness or otherwise of a referee is not an issue. I think that checks are much more likely to be made with official bodies (e.g. as to address, convictions, etc).

Incidentally, I have similarly never been contacted when I have been a referee for people making a passport application - a different 'type' of refereeing, of course, since on a passport application one is merely stating that the person depicted in the photograph is a true representation of the person making the application, and that one has known that person for the required length of time. For a naturalisation application, of course, the referee is actually a sponsor, which is slightly different.

I think sponsor is a bit of a strong word for what a naturalisation referee is.

[Pineapple]

Thanks a lot for the inputs from you all, especially from Christophe. Although I still haven't found out exactly how the Home Office would approach my referees, I can at least tell them that I have tried to find out but haven't heard from the forum that anyone has had experience of being contacted by the Home Office.

[Christophe]

I think sponsor is a bit of a strong word for what a naturalisation referee is.

Possibly yes, that's true.

On the other hand, the referees on a naturalisation form have to say of the applicant that 'I support his/her application for naturalisation as a British citizen'. This is in contrast to the passport form, for example, where the referee has to express no opinion about the applicant but is merely asked for facts.

[Christophe]

Thanks a lot for the inputs from you all, especially from Christophe. Although I still haven't found out exactly how the Home Office would approach my referees, I can at least tell them that I have tried to find out but haven't heard from the forum that anyone has had experience of being contacted by the Home Office.

I think I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your referees don't lie on the form (e.g. as regards how long they have known you), and they are indeed British citizens, and they fulfil the other criteria (e.g. about not being related to you or to each other), and they have no unspent convictions for an imprisonable offence during the past 5 years - then even if they are contacted, they ought to come sailing through! I hope it goes smoothly.

[Dawie]

I heard that the Home Office sends some men in dark suits and sunglasses around to the naturalisation referees' addresses, bundles them into the back of a van, takes them to a secret location and interrogates them under a hot spotlight while pulling out their fingernails one by one. But, I'm told, there's nothing to worry about because if your referees' stories check out, they take you to the nearest hospital, reattach said fingernails and then flash your memory with a little funny device that looks like a big pen. Your referees are then left with no memory of the incident. However if their stories don't check out, they are never seen again.

[Pineapple]

I think I wouldn't worry about it. As long as your referees don't lie on the form (e.g. as regards how long they have known you), and they are indeed British citizens, and they fulfil the other criteria (e.g. about not being related to you or to each other), and they have no unspent convictions for an imprisonable offence during the past 5 years - then even if they are contacted, they ought to come sailing through! I hope it goes smoothly.

I am not really worried about it and its not that my referees have got something to hide! They simply asked to be aware of what'd coming up. I think its fair enough to ask for this when you act as someone's referee, isn't it.

[Christophe]

I am not really worried about it and its not that my referees have got something to hide! They simply asked to be aware of what'd coming up. I think its fair enough to ask for this when you act as someone's referee, isn't it.

Yes, absolutely!

[bbdivo]

Also, don't forget on the form there is a page which has a 'checklist' that the form says your referee should read before signing the document, one of the points on it is:

'We will not accept a referee who has been convicted of an imprisonable
offence during the last 10 years and the sentence has not become spent
under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 – see page 24.'

hopefully when they read that they will decline signing your form (If they had been convicted that is!)