British citizenship by naturalisation

[NK2017]

Hi, sorry if there're another similar topics posted already.

I've been living in the UK for the last 15 years since the age of 10. My stepfather is British and my mother hold dual nationality (British and Thai). As I am now over the age of 18 I will have to submit my own application for British Citizenship by Naturalisation.

I'm currently completing my application for British Citizenship by naturalisation. I'm a bit stuck at the moment and need some clarification. GOV.UK, application guides and Home Office are unhelpful.

1. Proof of English Language Knowledge: I've passed my life in uk test and need to proof my language skills. I was educated in the UK (I have GCSEs and A Levels) but read somewhere that I can't use this as proof. Apart from this I have Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business which is an equavilent to 2 years of a bachelor degree from University of Portsmouth. My HND qualification incl. research project (I have the certificate and exam results transcript with University of Portsmouth Stamp on them). I don't know if this is enough. Do I need to do SELT?

2. Referees: I've asked my old driving instructor (approved) to be one of my referees. So I'm covered in terms of someone of Professional Standing.
However, for another person I've asked was my colleague. She is a British Citizen and age over 25. But her passport expired in 2010. Is she still ok to be my referee?
If not I do have a back up plan. My stepfather's sister and his uncle (who is a retired police officer) also said that they're happy to be my referee. Technically they're not my blood relative so if I have one of them as my referee, will this be an issue?

I would really appreciate your help.

[CR001]

1. You need the English test. Your HND will not be sufficient. It would only be accepted if it was a Degree.

2. Has your driving instructor known you for 3 years?? Second referee should be fine. You cannot use ANY relatives as referee. Relatives mean anyone related to you through blood line or marriage.

[NK2017]

Thank you.

I've known my old instructor since I was kid, he used to live next door to us as well, so definitely more than 3 years. As for for my colleague with expired passport, thank you for clearing this up.

As for proof of language proficiency. I was hoping all my academic qualifications would be enough. I'm so annoyed that I will now have to spend £150 on a 22mins test just to prove that I can tell people my name and my hobbies. Reminds me of my Spanish lesson back in school. "My name is.... I like to go to the rubbish".

[CR001]

Why didn't your mother register you before you turned 18? Presumably you got ILR a number of years ago. It would have been so much simpler.

[NK2017]

That's what I said to her.