Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[Moa7]

I contacted my local council today and they said that although the HO has permitted councils to do ceremonies, the HO have not sent any new certificates yet, nor said when they'll send them. The HO have also asked councils to satisfy the risk assessment guidelines on holding ceremonies safely which the councils are currently in the process of doing.

So basically just because it sounds like the HO have permitted ceremonies to happen doesn't mean they can ACTUALLY happen unless the risk assessment is fully satisfied, and the HO send new certificates.

It'll be a long long wait....

[Moa7]

Looks like virtual ceremonies could become a thing but it is not clear whether all councils nationwide would offer this facility

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

[shanny77]

Virtual ceremony will be the next thing, a friend in Australia had his ceremony virtually last month, so I'm not surprise UK follow suite. I will expect HO to start sending new invitation. The wait is almost over

[my72dart]

Lancashire County Council are commencing group ceremonies from tomorrow.

I believe the numbers will be limited however; if in doubt call your council

The only limitation will be they can't book you in if they don't have the right paperwork from the HO

Where did you find out that info? I keep checking their website and it hasn't been updated.

Thanks

[CR001]

The link to the virtual ceremonies update has already been posted. It is not necessary for different members to post the same thing again and again.

[rozearo]

Looks like virtual ceremonies could become a thing but it is not clear whether all councils nationwide would offer this facility

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

Yes, I have seen that today. But no update about sending invitation to candidates nor certificates to councils.
It looks like different departments within the HO don’t communicate efficiently with each other!

[Raihanul]

[Hi, what email did you use]
Hi All,

I keep sending HO emails asking for an update. My last 2 emails I requested to despatch my invitation letter since i can go for a private ceremony in my council. They replied with the below which is a copy and paste of their previous reply and similar to what most of you have received

Good morning,

I refer to your application for British Citizenship and your email enquiry. Upon investigation I can confirm that your citizenship ceremony documents have not yet been printed or despatched to the local authority. Your citizenship paperwork will be generated in coming weeks when current restrictions due to Coronavirus are eased.

In normal circumstances customers were required to book their citizenship ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office. Due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months. We will keep this under constant review. Please be assured that no adverse decisions will be made on your application because of delays caused by Coronavirus (unless there is a material change in your circumstances, for example, you are convicted of a criminal offence).



Kind Regards
[/quote]

[SidiBou]

Citizenship.Support@homeoffice.gov.uk

[Raihanul]

I'll wait a bit longer and email them too. Thank you

[bppartnerclub]

Looks like virtual ceremonies could become a thing but it is not clear whether all councils nationwide would offer this facility

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

Can't say my heart did not flutter a bit when I saw it was in my council. Let's hope things will start to actually progress faster from now on!

[badhodor]

So, I wrote to Reading council regarding ceremonies and virtual ceremony (alongwith the link)

This is the response:

Hello

Thank you for your enquiry. We have received permission to start citizenship ceremonies again and expect to be able to offer these again in a few weeks time. We have having to prepare and put processes in place to offer ceremonies safely for everyone. If you previously had a ceremony booked with us we will be writing to you soon to invite you to a new ceremony, so please keep an eye out for that letter.

In the meantime you can check our website www.reading.gov.uk for updates.

I’m afraid we do not have the facilities to hold virtual ceremonies.

Kind regards

I am not sure what facilities they need? I did reply saying is there something I can do to bring this to the MP's attention to get them internet and computer and a zoom account or something? (not in those words )

FYI, i got my approval letter dated 1st week of Feb, ceremony was due to happen on 1st of April. About to reach expiry of my 6 month period.

[Moa7]

I contacted my council about virtual ceremonies yesterday. This is their response. Pretty standard and not very useful.

"Good Morning,

This is something that we will be looking into and advising citizens in due course.
Many Thanks"

[TheTraveller]

Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

[alterhase58]

Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

Remember you still need the original naturalisation certificate to apply for a passport.

[TheTraveller]

Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually.


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/firs ... e-minister

Remember you still need the original naturalisation certificate to apply for a passport.

Of course .. I guess they will send them over a protected email !

[chand92]

Hi All,

I WILL APPRECIATE IF SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN ME THAT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN OF HOUSEHOLDS VIRTUAL CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY?
THANKS

[CR001]

Hi All,

I WILL APPRECIATE IF SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN ME THAT WHAT DOES THIS MEAN OF HOUSEHOLDS VIRTUAL CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY?
THANKS

A ceremony via zoom for anyone in your house applied.

[tudor2020]

Great news dear members of the forum. I have just done my virtual ceremony on zoom with Southwark Council. Good Luck to those whose are waiting.

[Humble123]

How did it go please?

[nnn15]

Exciting! Congratulations!
Was your certificate sent to the council before the lockdown?
Or did you get approved during the lockdown?

[tudor2020]

An email containing with zoom ID and appointment details. It was done in 20 minutes via zoom. You repeat the words after the registrar. You show your Id documents on camera.

[Moa7]

An email containing with zoom ID and appointment details. It was done in 20 minutes via zoom. You repeat the words after the registrar. You show your Id documents on camera.

Congratulations! Have you received your certificate?
Don't forget to return your BRP otherwise there's a £1000 fine

[Humble123]

Did you receive your invitation letter before the lockdown please ?

[tudor2020]

Yes and ceremony was cancelled because of Covid-19

[mr_iyamu]

Great news dear members of the forum. I have just done my virtual ceremony on zoom with Southwark Council. Good Luck to those whose are waiting.

Thank you for letting us know Tudor. Good luck to you and best wishes.