rayd wrote:I posted here a couple of months ago as a person born in British India of a father also born in British India. My father and grandfather were in the British services. I was classed as a British Subject and not citizen under the 1981 Act, because of my father's birth abroad.
Following the excellent advice given to me on this forum, I applied for and have just received my notification of Britich Citizenship from the Home Office. I used form BOTA.
However, they say in the letter that I have to attend a citizenship ceremony. I thought, from the IND website, that British Subjects were exempt from citizenship ceremonies and the oath of allegiance. Now, of course, I can't find that information on the IND site.
Am I mistaken?
Prior to 2004, British subjects and other British nationals (except British protected persons), together with citizens of countries with the Queen as Head of State (such as Australia) did not need to take any oath of allegiance to become a British citizen.
All this changed on 1 January 2004. Those applying for British citizenship from that date must take both an Oath of Allegiance to the Queen, and a Pledge of Commitment to the United Kingdom. The existing exemptions from taking the oath were withdrawn.
And the Oath and Pledge are to be taken in a public citizenship ceremony. Previously the oath was sworn in front of a solicitor or equivalent on a special form and returned to the Home Office.
It is somewhat "odd" to expect British subjects who already bear allegiance to Her Majesty to take the Oath again. However, the Pledge is specific to British citizenship. For example, if you were being naturalised in a British Overseas Territory (eg the Falklands or Gibraltar) the Pledge would be to that territory - as you would be acquiring British overseas territories citizenship - not the United Kingdom.
And it's routine for persons like MPs to swear an Oath of Allegiance, even though they are already British. So you shouldn't see it as a problem.
As for the IND, until quite recently they still had the old information in the guides for B(OTA) applications. It seems they have only just changed it.
One of the forum moderators (John) has had some very good things to say about the citizenship ceremony his wife and daughter attended when they became British citizens. So I would suggest that you enjoy what should be a very special event for you.
Most councils are good at organising citizenship ceremonies so you shouldn't have to wait very long. If instructions are not included with your Home Office letter, then contact the council people who deal with ceremonies in your area. Normally you must go to a ceremony within 90 days unless you have a good reason.
Bear in mind that you do not legally become a British citizen until you have been sworn in at your citizenship ceremony. You may be the only Registration applicant there - most people obtain Naturalisation instead - but all still become British citizens.
Congratulations on your decision to become "fully" British. Do let us know how your ceremony goes.
