Which council to pick

hi there! I'm about to apply for citizenship (AN1) and there is a choice for me to pick a council for the ceremony. Wondering if people have any suggestions which councils seem to have better handle on processing in lockdown and have the best options for private/public virtual ceremonies (cost is not a major concern).

Thank you

Keep in mind that policies of councils will be in flux and changing all the time and that each council is free to set its own policy. So, even if forum members were to recommend a particular council, by the time your approval came through, the situation may be very different.

Also, you may want to list the area of the country that you normally reside in. No point in recommendations for Brighton if you are located in Carlisle, for example.

Thanks. I am aware. I am just thinking that those councils that have adopted to processing in hard lockdown and got their virtual ceremonies under control will continue to work normally. While my Hillingdon for example seems locked down without any prospects. I'm not too concerned even about driving an hour or two to a ceremony if by some miracle everything opens up by the time I need to go for a one.

Thus, perhaps people are aware of a quickly moving council.

cit_lhr wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:29 pm

Thanks. I am aware. I am just thinking that those councils that have adopted to processing in hard lockdown and got their virtual ceremonies under control will continue to work normally. While my Hillingdon for example seems locked down without any prospects. I'm not too concerned even about driving an hour or two to a ceremony if by some miracle everything opens up by the time I need to go for a one.

Thus, perhaps people are aware of a quickly moving council.

I don't know which county you're in, but I've just had my ceremony couple weeks ago in Derby. They are doing individual ceremonies now, which last less than 5 mins. Quick in and out. My letter of Invitation from HO was few weeks late (dated 24th of Dec, I received it 16th of January). Jan 18th I called the council to make an appointment, but they said they will pass it to the registrar and they will call me back. Which never happened, then I chased them next day, they still said, they are busy and I should wait. Later that day I had another call from registrar telling me that they have suspended the ceremonies, but will resume them within couple of weeks time and will call me then.
By another miracle I had a call from registrar on 23rd of Jan, they were inviting me to come over for my ceremony! So I had mine on 27th of Jan.
My biggest headache when applying for citizenship was referees. I never thought of councils By the time you get your decision, everything will be up and running!