Becoming a British Citizen is a significant event for those attaining Citizenship. This section will give you more information about attending such a ceremony in North Yorkshire, and what it entails.

All new Citizens must attend a Citizenship Ceremony after being granted Citizenship, and within 90 days of being invited to attend a ceremony. This is the final stage of becoming a British Citizen.

The ceremonies, which will be led by a Registrar, will usually take place in one of our Register offices. The Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council will also usually make a short welcoming speech before Citizens swear or affirm an oath and pledge of allegiance.

All new Citizens will be called forward at the end of the Ceremony to receive their Citizenship certificates, information pack, and a small gift from the County Council. The information pack will contain application forms for a new British passport.

The ceremony takes about 30 minutes, but we do ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, as we will have a short interview with all new Citizens before the ceremony commences.

If you do arrive late and the ceremony has had to begin, you may have to arrange another date to attend, as the ceremony cannot be interrupted.

Please remember to bring your letter from the Home Office with you!

Useful downloads What questions will I be asked when I contact you? [115kb] These are the questions we will go through with you when you contact us to arrange your citizenship ceremony What is a typical citizenship ceremony? [51kb] Further information about citizenship ceremonies   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. Life in the UK test This site will help you prepare for the Life in the UK test. Applying for British citizenship A part of the Home Office website that covers the process of applying for citizenship. Citizenship ceremony - frequently asked questions What are the fees involved for citizenship ceremonies? What else will I need to decide? What is the wording of the pledge and oath? Can I have guests at my ceremony? What should I bring with me on the day of the ceremony? What do I do when I get the Home Office letter?