Citizenship Ceremony cancelled due to Covid-19

[London249]

Good news for me today. I've just received the brown envelope. My timeline as below:
---
Applied: 23 August
Approved: 19 Nov
Letter received: 19 Jan (by post), letter date: 29 Dec.
Council: Southwark
Good luck everyone waiting.

Congratulations. I’m also waiting for my invitation letter. My council is Southwark also .Approval date 25 of November. Please let me know how soon you can book your ceremony. Thanks

Mine is 9th of November still waiting really don’t know how they dispatch?

[Yazzz95]

Hi All,

I managed to get in touch Newham council today. Unfortunately, they cannot conduct any ceremonies ( group/private/virtual) until end of Jan although they advised if I want to change council, I could do by emailing citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Really frustrating tbh you wait all this time and still the waiting is neverending - the whole process is shambles tbh

Anyone in a similar situation? did anyone request to change council by any chance?

Thanks

My council is also newham. Hopefully I will get my invitation letter in next couple of weeks (approved on 5th nov).
Guess I'll have another waiting period from council as they will have to clear backlog first after resuming ceremonies.

Hi,
I am sure you'll your invitation letters in the coming days/weeks.

In terms of ceremony, unfortunately, Newham council is not conducting any sort of ceremonies which is bizarre tbh considering other councils are putting an effort to clear backlogs by arranging virtual or private ceremonies. I am really not sure why they are pilling up certificates without even loading them on the system.

You will not be able to book ceremony online as Newham council has received loads of certificate which hasn't been uploaded on the system yet, hence every time you'd try to book online it would say" Home Office Number Not Found".

I would advise you to chase up with the council and try to escalate to see if they can arrange private or virtual ceremony just like other councils and reach out to local councillor or mayor.

Let us know if you hear back anything.

Thanks

Hi Shazy,

Check their website. I tried to check just now and system has find my details.
I have booked group ceremony on 2nd Feb (giving time in between to recieve my invitation letter).
Im sure you'll be able to book your ceremony too.
Thanks.

[London249]

Home office response received via email,
However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved on and before 3 November and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 4 November 2020. Ceremony invites are sent by 2nd class post and can take up to 10 working days to be delivered.
We will update our website with any new information, in particular, in relation to the time it might take to despatch certificates. Please be assured that once a customer receives their Citizenship Ceremony Invitation Letter, they will still have up to six months within which to complete ceremony.

[onyx_ng]

Anyone from Kent get an update?

I had a 14th of January ceremony cancelled and rescheduled for today. I emailed 'Citizen_SP@kent.gov.uk' after the cancellation and they called me back a couple of days later to ok a time.

Awesome when was your approval?

25th of September

[asifmahmood36]

Hi,

I was approved on 21 OCT and last week I noticed that my council Wandsworth had my certificate by checking online but I haven't received my invitation letter yet. Royal Mail in Wandsworth (SW18) has severe delays, last week didn't get to see any postman.
However, I did email my council and they called me back and booked me in for 26th Jan virtual ceremony in Teams for FREE. I did tell her that I don't have my invitation letter but hopefully, I'll get it within this week. She told me, that I need to have an invitation letter and Passport. I am now worried what will happen when my turns comes and I don't have invitation letter.

Anyone from Wandsworth, have you guys received invitation letter.

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

[Leo96]

Hi All,

I managed to get in touch Newham council today. Unfortunately, they cannot conduct any ceremonies ( group/private/virtual) until end of Jan although they advised if I want to change council, I could do by emailing citizenship.support@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Really frustrating tbh you wait all this time and still the waiting is neverending - the whole process is shambles tbh

Anyone in a similar situation? did anyone request to change council by any chance?

Thanks

My council is also newham. Hopefully I will get my invitation letter in next couple of weeks (approved on 5th nov).
Guess I'll have another waiting period from council as they will have to clear backlog first after resuming ceremonies.

Hi,
I am sure you'll your invitation letters in the coming days/weeks.

In terms of ceremony, unfortunately, Newham council is not conducting any sort of ceremonies which is bizarre tbh considering other councils are putting an effort to clear backlogs by arranging virtual or private ceremonies. I am really not sure why they are pilling up certificates without even loading them on the system.

You will not be able to book ceremony online as Newham council has received loads of certificate which hasn't been uploaded on the system yet, hence every time you'd try to book online it would say" Home Office Number Not Found".

I would advise you to chase up with the council and try to escalate to see if they can arrange private or virtual ceremony just like other councils and reach out to local councillor or mayor.

Let us know if you hear back anything.

Thanks

Hi Shazy,

Check their website. I tried to check just now and system has find my details.
I have booked group ceremony on 2nd Feb (giving time in between to recieve my invitation letter).
Im sure you'll be able to book your ceremony too.
Thanks.

Hello there,

I am with newham council and have received invitation from home office for a while now.

I tried booking ceremony on the newham website but every time it says reference no not found.

I am not sure if they are updating their system as of yet to book the ceremony.

[shahzy970]

Hi,

I was approved on 21 OCT and last week I noticed that my council Wandsworth had my certificate by checking online but I haven't received my invitation letter yet. Royal Mail in Wandsworth (SW18) has severe delays, last week didn't get to see any postman.
However, I did email my council and they called me back and booked me in for 26th Jan virtual ceremony in Teams for FREE. I did tell her that I don't have my invitation letter but hopefully, I'll get it within this week. She told me, that I need to have an invitation letter and Passport. I am now worried what will happen when my turns comes and I don't have invitation letter.

Anyone from Wandsworth, have you guys received invitation letter.

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

[shahzy970]

My council is also newham. Hopefully I will get my invitation letter in next couple of weeks (approved on 5th nov).
Guess I'll have another waiting period from council as they will have to clear backlog first after resuming ceremonies.

Hi,
I am sure you'll your invitation letters in the coming days/weeks.

In terms of ceremony, unfortunately, Newham council is not conducting any sort of ceremonies which is bizarre tbh considering other councils are putting an effort to clear backlogs by arranging virtual or private ceremonies. I am really not sure why they are pilling up certificates without even loading them on the system.

You will not be able to book ceremony online as Newham council has received loads of certificate which hasn't been uploaded on the system yet, hence every time you'd try to book online it would say" Home Office Number Not Found".

I would advise you to chase up with the council and try to escalate to see if they can arrange private or virtual ceremony just like other councils and reach out to local councillor or mayor.

Let us know if you hear back anything.

Thanks

Hi Shazy,

Check their website. I tried to check just now and system has find my details.
I have booked group ceremony on 2nd Feb (giving time in between to recieve my invitation letter).
Im sure you'll be able to book your ceremony too.
Thanks.

Hello there,

I am with newham council and have received invitation from home office for a while now.

I tried booking ceremony on the newham website but every time it says reference no not found.

I am not sure if they are updating their system as of yet to book the ceremony.

Hi,

I am in the same situation, I tried to escalate this but they said they have received a lot of certificates and they haven't uploaded it on the system yet. when I asked if they can check if they have received mine, they said it's difficult to go through them as most of the resources are used somewhere else.

So yeah pretty frustrating to be honest.. we have been waiting for months and yet the wait never seems to end..

Thanks

[asifmahmood36]

Hi,

I was approved on 21 OCT and last week I noticed that my council Wandsworth had my certificate by checking online but I haven't received my invitation letter yet. Royal Mail in Wandsworth (SW18) has severe delays, last week didn't get to see any postman.
However, I did email my council and they called me back and booked me in for 26th Jan virtual ceremony in Teams for FREE. I did tell her that I don't have my invitation letter but hopefully, I'll get it within this week. She told me, that I need to have an invitation letter and Passport. I am now worried what will happen when my turns comes and I don't have invitation letter.

Anyone from Wandsworth, have you guys received invitation letter.

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

As said I was approved on 27 OCT 20 But have not received my invitation letter yet but checked Wandsworth council site online and they added my certificate in their online system and I am able to book
ceremony online but I have not received the invitation letter yet

[shahzy970]

My council is also newham. Hopefully I will get my invitation letter in next couple of weeks (approved on 5th nov).
Guess I'll have another waiting period from council as they will have to clear backlog first after resuming ceremonies.

Hi,
I am sure you'll your invitation letters in the coming days/weeks.

In terms of ceremony, unfortunately, Newham council is not conducting any sort of ceremonies which is bizarre tbh considering other councils are putting an effort to clear backlogs by arranging virtual or private ceremonies. I am really not sure why they are pilling up certificates without even loading them on the system.

You will not be able to book ceremony online as Newham council has received loads of certificate which hasn't been uploaded on the system yet, hence every time you'd try to book online it would say" Home Office Number Not Found".

I would advise you to chase up with the council and try to escalate to see if they can arrange private or virtual ceremony just like other councils and reach out to local councillor or mayor.

Let us know if you hear back anything.

Thanks

Hi Shazy,

Check their website. I tried to check just now and system has find my details.
I have booked group ceremony on 2nd Feb (giving time in between to recieve my invitation letter).
Im sure you'll be able to book your ceremony too.
Thanks.

Hello there,

I am with newham council and have received invitation from home office for a while now.

I tried booking ceremony on the newham website but every time it says reference no not found.

I am not sure if they are updating their system as of yet to book the ceremony.

Hi Yazzz,

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

[shahzy970]

Hi,

I was approved on 21 OCT and last week I noticed that my council Wandsworth had my certificate by checking online but I haven't received my invitation letter yet. Royal Mail in Wandsworth (SW18) has severe delays, last week didn't get to see any postman.
However, I did email my council and they called me back and booked me in for 26th Jan virtual ceremony in Teams for FREE. I did tell her that I don't have my invitation letter but hopefully, I'll get it within this week. She told me, that I need to have an invitation letter and Passport. I am now worried what will happen when my turns comes and I don't have invitation letter.

Anyone from Wandsworth, have you guys received invitation letter.

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

As said I was approved on 27 OCT 20 But have not received my invitation letter yet but checked Wandsworth council site online and they added my certificate in their online system and I am able to book
ceremony online but I have not received the invitation letter yet

Sorry, I replied to your post by mistake. Was suppose to reply to Yazz.
I hope you get your invitation letter soon. Also, check with the council if they can arrange your ceremony without the invitation letter. I am sure I have seen a few posts here.. in which councils arranged ceremonies without invitation letters.

Thanks & Good Luck

[Yazzz95]

Hi,
I am sure you'll your invitation letters in the coming days/weeks.

In terms of ceremony, unfortunately, Newham council is not conducting any sort of ceremonies which is bizarre tbh considering other councils are putting an effort to clear backlogs by arranging virtual or private ceremonies. I am really not sure why they are pilling up certificates without even loading them on the system.

You will not be able to book ceremony online as Newham council has received loads of certificate which hasn't been uploaded on the system yet, hence every time you'd try to book online it would say" Home Office Number Not Found".

I would advise you to chase up with the council and try to escalate to see if they can arrange private or virtual ceremony just like other councils and reach out to local councillor or mayor.

Let us know if you hear back anything.

Thanks

Hi Shazy,

Check their website. I tried to check just now and system has find my details.
I have booked group ceremony on 2nd Feb (giving time in between to recieve my invitation letter).
Im sure you'll be able to book your ceremony too.
Thanks.

Hello there,

I am with newham council and have received invitation from home office for a while now.

I tried booking ceremony on the newham website but every time it says reference no not found.

I am not sure if they are updating their system as of yet to book the ceremony.

Hi Yazzz,

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

Timeline: Applied 15 sep, approved nov. Invitation letter not yet recieved. Was checking newham booking system everyday from January and today when I entered my details system found my record and allowed to to proceed further for booking. I booked mine for 2nd Feb to allow time to recieve my invitation letter. As of their system, they are doing group ceremony every Tuesday and many slots were available.

Thanks.

[Yazzz95]

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

As said I was approved on 27 OCT 20 But have not received my invitation letter yet but checked Wandsworth council site online and they added my certificate in their online system and I am able to book
ceremony online but I have not received the invitation letter yet

Sorry, I replied to your post by mistake. Was suppose to reply to Yazz.
I hope you get your invitation letter soon. Also, check with the council if they can arrange your ceremony without the invitation letter. I am sure I have seen a few posts here.. in which councils arranged ceremonies without invitation letters.

Thanks & Good Luck

Thanks shahzy, I hope i get my invitation letter before 2n
I suggest you to call registrar office tomorrow to book your ceremony. Today when system found my details and took me to booking page, there were plenty of slots available for group ceremony. (They're doing it every Tuesday from 2 to 2.30 pm).
Thanks.

[shahzy970]

Thanks for the update! can you share your timeline for approval and invitation letter? I tried but no luck so far

Thanks

As said I was approved on 27 OCT 20 But have not received my invitation letter yet but checked Wandsworth council site online and they added my certificate in their online system and I am able to book
ceremony online but I have not received the invitation letter yet

Sorry, I replied to your post by mistake. Was suppose to reply to Yazz.
I hope you get your invitation letter soon. Also, check with the council if they can arrange your ceremony without the invitation letter. I am sure I have seen a few posts here.. in which councils arranged ceremonies without invitation letters.

Thanks & Good Luck

Thanks shahzy, I hope i get my invitation letter before 2n
I suggest you to call registrar office tomorrow to book your ceremony. Today when system found my details and took me to booking page, there were plenty of slots available for group ceremony. (They're doing it every Tuesday from 2 to 2.30 pm).
Thanks.

Hi Yazz,

thanks for the update -silly questions but it's defo Newham council right?
I am using this link https://www.newham.gov.uk/advice-suppor ... ryId=20000

let me know if it's the same one?

I have been trying since Dec tbh- but every time I try it says Home office reference not found.

driving me mad

[Yazzz95]

As said I was approved on 27 OCT 20 But have not received my invitation letter yet but checked Wandsworth council site online and they added my certificate in their online system and I am able to book
ceremony online but I have not received the invitation letter yet

Sorry, I replied to your post by mistake. Was suppose to reply to Yazz.
I hope you get your invitation letter soon. Also, check with the council if they can arrange your ceremony without the invitation letter. I am sure I have seen a few posts here.. in which councils arranged ceremonies without invitation letters.

Thanks & Good Luck

Thanks shahzy, I hope i get my invitation letter before 2n
I suggest you to call registrar office tomorrow to book your ceremony. Today when system found my details and took me to booking page, there were plenty of slots available for group ceremony. (They're doing it every Tuesday from 2 to 2.30 pm).
Thanks.

Hi Yazz,

thanks for the update -silly questions but it's defo Newham council right?
I am using this link https://www.newham.gov.uk/advice-suppor ... ryId=20000

let me know if it's the same one?

I have been trying since Dec tbh- but every time I try it says Home office reference not found.

driving me mad

Yep thats the one.
BTW I have just noticed that once you book your ceremony fist time, you cannot login again in the system.
Yesterday when system found my details I booked my ceremony straightaway. But now just to see if I can login again, system can't find my details anymore.
So I think once the ceremony is booked and to do any changes you have to contact council directly and can't reuse the system)
Just thought to share this.

[Yazzz95]

once you book ceremony, you get email of confirmation from council within few minutes.

[shahzy970]

Sorry, I replied to your post by mistake. Was suppose to reply to Yazz.
I hope you get your invitation letter soon. Also, check with the council if they can arrange your ceremony without the invitation letter. I am sure I have seen a few posts here.. in which councils arranged ceremonies without invitation letters.

Thanks & Good Luck

Thanks shahzy, I hope i get my invitation letter before 2n
I suggest you to call registrar office tomorrow to book your ceremony. Today when system found my details and took me to booking page, there were plenty of slots available for group ceremony. (They're doing it every Tuesday from 2 to 2.30 pm).
Thanks.

Hi Yazz,

thanks for the update -silly questions but it's defo Newham council right?
I am using this link https://www.newham.gov.uk/advice-suppor ... ryId=20000

let me know if it's the same one?

I have been trying since Dec tbh- but every time I try it says Home office reference not found.

driving me mad

Yep thats the one.
BTW I have just noticed that once you book your ceremony fist time, you cannot login again in the system.
Yesterday when system found my details I booked my ceremony straightaway. But now just to see if I can login again, system can't find my details anymore.
So I think once the ceremony is booked and to do any changes you have to contact council directly and can't reuse the system)
Just thought to share this.

Thanks, Yazz!

I will try and ring them tomorrow- thanks for your help.

Good luck with the ceremony.

Thanks

[Yazzz95]

Thanks shahzy, I hope i get my invitation letter before 2n
I suggest you to call registrar office tomorrow to book your ceremony. Today when system found my details and took me to booking page, there were plenty of slots available for group ceremony. (They're doing it every Tuesday from 2 to 2.30 pm).
Thanks.

Hi Yazz,

thanks for the update -silly questions but it's defo Newham council right?
I am using this link https://www.newham.gov.uk/advice-suppor ... ryId=20000

let me know if it's the same one?

I have been trying since Dec tbh- but every time I try it says Home office reference not found.

driving me mad

Yep thats the one.
BTW I have just noticed that once you book your ceremony fist time, you cannot login again in the system.
Yesterday when system found my details I booked my ceremony straightaway. But now just to see if I can login again, system can't find my details anymore.
So I think once the ceremony is booked and to do any changes you have to contact council directly and can't reuse the system)
Just thought to share this.

Thanks, Yazz!

I will try and ring them tomorrow- thanks for your help.

Good luck with the ceremony.

Thanks

Thank you. And good luck. I hope you manage to book the earliest slot.
The earliest group ceremony was available on 26th jan Tuesday (14:00 -14:30). Didn't check the private ones.

[shahzy970]

Hi Yazz,

thanks for the update -silly questions but it's defo Newham council right?
I am using this link https://www.newham.gov.uk/advice-suppor ... ryId=20000

let me know if it's the same one?

I have been trying since Dec tbh- but every time I try it says Home office reference not found.

driving me mad

Yep thats the one.
BTW I have just noticed that once you book your ceremony fist time, you cannot login again in the system.
Yesterday when system found my details I booked my ceremony straightaway. But now just to see if I can login again, system can't find my details anymore.
So I think once the ceremony is booked and to do any changes you have to contact council directly and can't reuse the system)
Just thought to share this.

Thanks, Yazz!

I will try and ring them tomorrow- thanks for your help.

Good luck with the ceremony.

Thanks

Thank you. And good luck. I hope you manage to book the earliest slot.
The earliest group ceremony was available on 26th jan Tuesday (14:00 -14:30). Didn't check the private ones.

Thanks - I hope so. I really need to get this sorted quickly so I can apply for a passport, as I have to travel asap... and the delay is really frustrating.

I update you soon.

Thanks

[dragon098]

Hi,

I was approved on 21 OCT and last week I noticed that my council Wandsworth had my certificate by checking online but I haven't received my invitation letter yet. Royal Mail in Wandsworth (SW18) has severe delays, last week didn't get to see any postman.
However, I did email my council and they called me back and booked me in for 26th Jan virtual ceremony in Teams for FREE. I did tell her that I don't have my invitation letter but hopefully, I'll get it within this week. She told me, that I need to have an invitation letter and Passport. I am now worried what will happen when my turns comes and I don't have invitation letter.

Anyone from Wandsworth, have you guys received invitation letter.

Hello,
I have actually the same situation as you. Strange. I was approved on 27OCT and I also checked Wandsworth council online and my council had my certificate but I have not received my invitation letter yet. I just email the register office and told them the postal situation in the SW18 area and ask them that Can I book the ceremony without an invitation letter. waiting reply.

Update me if you get something.

To be honest, when I emailed them I did not tell them about me not receiving my invitation letter but when they called me I did mention. I told her that hopefully, I should be getting within this week so she booked me in for ceremony coming Tuesday but she did tell me make sure to have your passport (ID) and Invitation letter.

I think you can try doing that too but it took that lady atleast 4 days to give me a call and they will call you from private number. Worst thing that can happen to us is that they will cancel our ceremony but good thing is that it is FREE.

I'll update you asap I get my invitation but really annoyed with this Royal Mail out of all it had to be Wandsworth

[Bazaar]

Home office response received via email,
However, we can confirm that we have just completed the processing of certificates and ceremony invitations for applications that were approved on and before 3 November and have now commenced processing those for applications approved on 4 November 2020. Ceremony invites are sent by 2nd class post and can take up to 10 working days to be delivered.
We will update our website with any new information, in particular, in relation to the time it might take to despatch certificates. Please be assured that once a customer receives their Citizenship Ceremony Invitation Letter, they will still have up to six months within which to complete ceremony.

when they say they will update their website with information.. where exactly? do you have a link?
thanks

[avaixhah]

Hi

My friend has received ceremony invitation from council Blackburn but have not received any letter from HO, is it possible to attend ceremony without HO letter?

[PhantomPermit]

looks like HO have lost the data for October.

[PhantomPermit]

"How much it costs
The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

You might need to pay more for a private ceremony - check how much with your local council."

why are people paying even for non private ceremonies??

[CULLINAN]

"How much it costs
The cost of your ceremony is included in your application fee.

You might need to pay more for a private ceremony - check how much with your local council."

why are people paying for the ceremonies??

Varies with each council. Some councils are doing virtual ceremonies free of cost. Some charging only £10 to post certificate. Some charging around £100-150. And private ceremonies can vary from £70-£265 etc depending on different councils.