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Using the Nationality Checking Service

Nationality Checking Service is offered at some of our offices in Hampshire by appointment only.

Appointments subject to availability
Tuesdays in Eastleigh and Winchester
Wednesdays in Basingstoke and Fareham
Thursdays in Aldershot

Important information

You must have been physically present in UK, not out of the country on holiday or on business, at the start of the qualifying period.

This means that you must have been present in the UK at the start of your qualifying period on the day of your appointment, please ensure that you have checked your dates and that you were not out of the country either on holiday, visiting relatives overseas or away on business.

• 5 year qualifying period
  You must have had ILR for at least one year before the date of your appointment
• 3 year qualifying period
  You must be married to a British Citizen, there are no time restrictions for ILR

Children must be resident in the UK to apply for British Citizenship

You must also provide either a Life in the United Kingdom test pass certificate or an approved ESOL qualification in Speaking and Listening with a supporting college letter.

You must provide sufficient evidence of your lawful residence during the qualifying period, either 3 years or 5 years. This can be your travel document, passport/s, you must bring any previous cancelled passport(s) with you.

If you do not have passports to cover the required residency period, you will need to supply documentation to cover your residency, you will need documentary evidence for each year of the residency period, P60’s or letters from your employer, or an up to date letter confirming payment of benefits (or a combination of these) Further information from UK Border Agency

EEA National applications must be submitted with documentary evidence of your residence during the qualifying period of either 6 years, or 5 years if married to a British Citizen.

It is your responsibility to check that you are eligible for naturalisation before making your appointment.

Hampshire County Council does not offer the Settlement Checking Service. You must have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or equivalent to make an appointment for NCS.

Make an appointment

• Book an appointment online

Same day appointments are not available via web self-service. If you need to make an urgent appointment tel 0845 603 5637.

You need to bring

You must provide a fully completed application form for each person applying, this will avoid delays and additional fees.

• Each application requires a photograph attached to the completed referee page
• Either a Life in the United Kingdom test pass certificate or an approved ESOL qualification in Speaking and Listening with a supporting college letter.
• Passports/travel documents, including previous cancelled passports.
• EEA Nationals must provide suitable travel documents/passports to support their application in regards to exercising their treaty rights.
• If you do not have passports or travel documents, P60’s or letters from your employer, or an up to date letter confirming payment of benefits (or a combination of these).
• For childrens' application, a full birth certificate for each child translated into English is required. Check the UK Border Agency for further documentary evidence that may be required.
• If you are applying as a married couple or with your civil partner you will need to provide your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• If you are applying based on a marriage or civil partnership to a British Citizen, you will need to provide your marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• If you are applying for a child and you are married to the child's mother/father you will need your marriage certificate.
• All certificates and documents should be originals with translations if not in English.

You must provide payment details for the correct Home Office fee. Payment must be made by credit/debit card or cheque. We are unable to accept Postal Orders or TransCash. You may wish to download this form and complete it ahead of your appointment.. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/britishcitizenship/applying/cost/

The interview

Every person aged 18 and over whose application will be submitted at the interview must attend. Children aged under 18 years are not required to attend.

The Nationality Checking advisor will check that your application form is properly completed and that you have enclosed the correct Home Office fee.

If you produce insufficient or incorrect documentation or fail to meet the appropriate residency requirements, your application may not be submitted to the Home Office. If you need a further appointment with us you may be required to pay the checking fee again.

In some circumstances we may suggest that you revisit us to supply further documentation if necessary.

NCS advisors are not qualified or allowed to give any advice on nationality, immigration or asylum. Advisors cannot help you to complete the application forms.

The advisor will check that you have enclosed all necessary documents, make copies, certify them and return the originals to you.

If you require a photocopy of your application form you must obtain this before your interview, advisors will not be able to provide copies for you.

Provided the advisor is satisfied that your application form is complete, and that you have provided appropriate supporting documents, the NCS advisor will recommend that your application be forwarded to the Home Office Nationality Group by Special Delivery post.

The time it takes for the Home Office to deal with an application varies according to individual circumstances, including the number of applications under consideration at a particular time.

NCS advisors cannot track the progress of your application form once it has been sent to the Home Office.

Using the NCS service in Hampshire does not guarantee that your application for British Citizenship will be successful. The decision to approve your application is made by the Home Office.

The Home Office will write to you directly to advise you of the outcome of your application.

You can get advice, the UK Border Agency Nationality Helpdesk can also help you complete an application form.
tel 0845 010 5200 from 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. or you can email for a response ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk

NCS Fees

• Per individual - £65

Refunds

No refunds will be given if you fail to attend your NCS appointment.

If you wish to change your appointment and re-book, no further NCS fee will be charged to you as long as you give more than 2 hours notice to change your appointment.

If you cancel an appointment and do not re-book then no refund will be given.

If you produce insufficient or incorrect documentation or fail to meet the appropriate residency requirements your application may not be submitted to the Home Office, your NCS appointment can be re-booked for a second time but you may be charged the NCS appointment fee again.

Your NCS fee cannot be refunded if you are advised by the Home Office that your application is unsuccessful.