British Citizenship UK: Naturalisation Requirements, Cost and How to Apply in 2026

The UK allows dual nationality, so you do not have to give up your current nationality to become British.

Some countries do not allow dual citizenship. Check the rules of your home country before you apply.

You can apply only after you complete your residence period. On the general route, you must also have held ILR for 12 months.

The Home Office refuses applications made too early, and the fee is not refunded. We work out your exact earliest date before you apply.

The Home Office checks your honesty and your record in the UK. It looks at criminal convictions, cautions and fixed penalty notices, immigration breaches, unpaid tax and debts, and any past deception.

You must declare everything, including convictions that are spent. Leaving something out can lead to refusal, so full and honest disclosure matters most.

Children under 18 do not apply for naturalisation. A child applies to register as a British citizen instead, on a different form. The Home Office fee is £1,000 per child.

Whether a child can register depends on the child's age, where they were born and the immigration status of their parents. We can check this for you.

You can apply for a British passport after your ceremony, once you have your certificate of naturalisation. You apply to HM Passport Office.

Your certificate is proof of your citizenship, so keep it safe.

Yes. After approval, you receive an invitation to a citizenship ceremony. You must attend within 3 months. At the ceremony you take the oath of allegiance and the pledge, and you receive your certificate of naturalisation.

You become a British citizen at the ceremony.

Yes. The Home Secretary grants citizenship at their discretion. The most common reasons for refusal are too many days outside the UK, a gap in the residence period, character concerns, referee problems and missing evidence.

After a refusal, you can ask for a review (Form NR, £513) or make a new application. Check the deadline on your refusal letter, because it is short.

A standard decision usually takes about 3 to 6 months. Some cases take longer, for example when the Home Office asks for more evidence.

Your ceremony takes place after approval, so allow extra time before you become a British citizen.

Adults apply online on GOV.UK using Form AN. You pay the fees, submit your supporting documents and give your biometrics. The Home Office then reviews your case and makes a decision.

We prepare the full application with you and check it before it is submitted.

The Home Office fee for adult naturalisation is £1,709. You also pay the £130 citizenship ceremony fee with your application.

The Life in the UK test costs £50 each time you take it. English language test fees depend on the provider. Legal fees are separate. The Home Office does not refund the fee if your application is refused.

You usually need:

• Your current passport and earlier passports covering the whole qualifying period.
• Proof of your settled status. For most people this is a UKVI share code.
• Your Life in the UK test pass letter.
• Your English language evidence.
• A list of every absence from the UK, with dates of departure and return.
• Details of your two referees.

Spouse route applicants also need their marriage or civil partnership certificate. Self-employed applicants and company directors should also show their tax compliance.

You need two referees. One must hold a recognised profession. The other must normally be a British citizen aged 25 or over. Neither can be a relative.

Both must know you personally and be able to confirm who you are. We check your referees before you apply, because a wrong choice can delay your case.

You need English at level B1 or above on the CEFR scale for speaking and listening. You can show this with a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, or with a degree taught in English.

If your degree was gained overseas, you need ENIC confirmation. You may be exempt because of your nationality, your age or a medical condition.

Yes, unless you are 65 or over, or you have a long-term physical or mental condition that stops you taking it. The test costs £50 each time you take it.

If you passed the test for your ILR application, you can rely on that pass for your citizenship application.

Yes. You apply on the spouse or civil partner route (section 6(2)). You must be married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen on the date you apply.

You need 3 years of residence and you must hold ILR when you apply. The 12-month wait after ILR does not apply. You must still meet the English language, Life in the UK test and good character requirements.

You must have been in the UK on the exact day your qualifying period starts. This is the day 5 years before the Home Office receives your application, or 3 years on the spouse route.

If you were abroad on that day, the Home Office can refuse your application, even when your total days away are within the limits. We check this date before you apply.

On the general route, you should not be outside the UK for more than 450 days in the 5 years. You should also not be away for more than 90 days in the last 12 months.

On the spouse route, the limits are 270 days in the 3 years and 90 days in the last 12 months. The Home Office can use discretion for a small number of extra days, but you need a strong reason.

On the general route (section 6(1)), you need 5 years of residence before you apply. You must also have held ILR for at least 12 months.

On the spouse route (section 6(2)), you need 3 years of residence and you must hold ILR when you apply. There is no 12-month wait.

Adults aged 18 or over who live in the UK and already have settled status, also called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You must also meet the residence rules, the Life in the UK test, the English language requirement and the good character requirement.

There are two routes. Section 6(1) is the general route. Section 6(2) is the shorter route for the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen.