Using the Nationality Checking Service

Nationality Checking Service (NCS) is offered at some of our offices in Hampshire.

Location map of offices

To be able to book an appointment for the Nationality Checking Service you must have had Indefinite Leave to Remain for the correct time period, meet the residency requirements, have a Life in the UK certificate or ESOL, be able to supply all the documentation required and have a completed application form

If you are ready to apply for British Citizenship, and have completed the application form and have documents to support your application, you may use this service.

Application forms should be completed before attending the appointment. Before attending your appointment please check the guidance document with your application form very carefully.

The service allows for important documents such as passports to be retained by the applicant as photocopies are certified by the NCS advisor.

Application forms are checked to make sure that they have been completed correctly and together with photocopies of all necessary supporting documents are then sent to the Home Office by special delivery.

Please make sure you can produce the correct documentation and that you meet the residency requirements in order to qualify to apply for British Citizenship. By supplying the correct documents and having them checked by our advisors the Home Office is less likely to reject your application because of incorrect or missing documents.

It usually takes approximately 30 minutes for a single application and 60 minutes for a family application.

Settlement Checking Service

Hampshire County Council does not offer a Settlement Checking Service and the Nationality Checking Service cannot check applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or a permanent residence card. Local Authorities offering the Settlement Checking Service. Nationality Checking Advisors are not qualified or allowed to give any advice on nationality, immigration or asylum.

Residential Qualifying Period

You must have been physically present in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (i.e. not out of the country on holiday or on business) on the day 5 years before the application date is received at the Home Office, usually the day after your appointment (3 years if married to or the civil partner of a British citizen).

Make an appointment

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

Nationality Checking Advisors cannot assist in the completion of application forms, the forms must be completed by you prior to appointment.

Nationality Checklist

You will need to bring

• Remember to bring your original documents with you to the appointment, failure to do so will result in you having to make a further appointment for which a second charge will apply.
• Completed application forms for everyone including children. Your photograph must be fixed in the appropriate position in the referee section of the application form the when you arrive for your interview.
• Please ensure that you have passports or travel documents for all the applicants and all appropriate supporting documents as specified in the document checklist and guidance notes booklet for your nationality application form. If more than one passport has been used during the residential qualifying period for the application, you should bring any previous cancelled passport(s) with you.

The interview

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

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

The adviser will also check that you have enclosed all necessary accompanying documents, make copies, certify them and return the original documents to you.

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

Provided the adviser is satisfied that your application form is complete, your application will be forwarded to the Home Office Nationality Group by Special Delivery post.

How long will it take for the Home Office to review my application?

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. However, complete and accurate applications can normally be dealt with more quickly than those which are incomplete or which require further enquires.

You will be required to pay the Nationality Checking Service Fee at the point you make your appointment. Please ensure that you have your debit/credit card with you to enable you to make the payment.

Application Fee

• Adult - £60
• Child - £30 each (if applying with an adult)
• Child - £60 each (if no adult application being submitted at the same time)

Family Applications

• Family appointments (2 adults and a maximum of 3 children) - £180
  any additional children £30 each if under 18 years and the adult fee of £60 if 18 years or over.

Childrens applications

Childrens applications must be made in person by one or both of the child's parents. The child does not need to attend the appointment.

We can take payment by debit/credit card. All charges are inclusive of VAT.

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 fee NCS fee will be charged to you as long as you give more than 2 hours notice of your request 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 your application may not be submitted to the Home Office and no refund for the NCS appointment will be given.

If you fail to meet the appropriate residency requirements on the day of your appointment then your application may not be submitted to the Home Office and no refund for the NCS appointment will be given.