Celebrate in Lincolnshire Celebrate in Lincolnshire, civil wedding ceremony | Page 42

CITIZENSHIP
CEREMONIES
HOW DO I ARRANGE TO ATTEND A
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY IN LINCOLNSHIRE?
Once you have received your ceremony invitation
letter, you are required to contact the Customer
Service Centre on 01522 782244 to arrange a
date for your ceremony. You will have 90 days in
which to attend a ceremony.
If you cannot attend within this time, the Home
Office may have to withdraw your invitation and
you will be required to apply and pay the fee
again. Ceremonies are usually held at our Lincoln,
Grantham and Boston Registration Offices and
may be available at other offices.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE CEREMONY?
Ceremonies begin with a welcome speech by a
Registration Officer and also include speeches
by local dignitaries. During the ceremony to
confirm British Citizenship, each individual will
be legally required to swear or affirm their
allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Once this has been completed the new citizens
will stand and make their loyalty pledge to the
United Kingdom.
New citizens are then called up one at a time
to receive their certificate, information pack and
commemorative gift. The nationality certificate
is presented by a local dignitary on behalf of the
Home Secretary and can subsequently be used
to support passport applications and to prove
the individual is a British citizen. The ceremony
will end with a closing speech and the playing
and singing of the national anthem. Afterwards,
there is an informal celebration with light
refreshments and citizens have the opportunity
to take photographs with their guests and/or
the dignitaries in attendance.
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ARE FAMILY APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED?
Where possible, the Home Office considers
applications from members of the same
family at the same time so they can attend a
ceremony together.
CAN WE INVITE OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS?
Whilst you are welcome to bring guests, family
and friends to your ceremony, accommodation
is unfortunately restricted and therefore it is
necessary to place a limit of two guests per
adult application.
DO WE HAVE TO ATTEND A PUBLIC
CEREMONY?
Citizenship Ceremonies will normally be
conducted in groups to reinforce the
community nature of citizenship. You may
however wish to celebrate with a personal
ceremony, for which there is an extra fee and
the ceremony can be attended by family and
friends. Citizenship Ceremonies cannot be held
at a private home.