The ceremony welcomes new citizens into the community, celebrates the significance of becoming a British citizen and is the final stage in granting British citizenship to foreign nationals.

The ceremony

Hampshire citizenship ceremonies last about 45 minutes and include

• Introduction and welcome
• Address by local dignitary
• Taking or affirming of the oath to observe the laws of this country and pledge allegiance to the Queen
• Presentation of citizenship certificate and signing of the register
• Photographic opportunities

There may be a professional photographer at your ceremony. Photographs will be available to purchase on the day. £11 for a ceremony photograph and £7 for passport photographs. If you do not wish for your photograph to be taken please make this known to a member of staff on the day.

Make an appointment

tel 0845 603 5637 call charges
Phone lines open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9.30am - 4pm

The Home Office will send your paperwork to the Local Authority where you have chosen to attend your ceremony. This does not need to be the office where the Nationality Checking Service has been completed.

Group Citizenship Ceremonies in Hampshire are held in the north of the county in Aldershot and Basingstoke, and in the South of the county in Fareham and Winchester.

The ceremony must take place within three months of notification from the Home Office that your application for citizenship has been successful.

Group ceremonies

These ceremonies take place in some Registration Offices and involve small groups of citizens – children are welcome to take part. The cost of the group ceremonies is included within the Home Office British Citizen fee which you will have already paid.

Individual ceremonies

Individual ceremony or private citizenship ceremony in a Register Office Monday - Friday.

It costs £140 (including £55 non-refundable booking fee).

Individual citizenship ceremonies can also take place at approved venues or other suitable venues, for which alternative ceremony fees apply.