Citizenship ceremonies
Since February 2004, the Immigration and Asylum Act 2002
requires all applicants aged 18 years or over for naturalisation or
registration as a British citizen to take an oath and pledge at a
citizenship ceremony conducted by a local authority Superintendent
Registrar.
Applying for British nationality
All matters relating to applications and qualifications for
British citizenship are dealt with by the Home Office (Immigration
and Nationality Branch) in Liverpool.
All enquiries/applications for citizenship should be directed
to
Home Office
Managed Migration
Nationality Group
PO Box 306
India Buildings
Water Street
Liverpool
L2 OQN
Tel: 0151 237 5200
Home Office Ceremonies
website;
Immigration & Nationality
Directorate website will help you understand UK Immigration control
and what your rights and responsibilities are when you make an
application.
Citizenship ceremonies in Rochdale
Citizenship ceremonies are private and not open to the public.
Once the Home Office has approved an application, the applicant
will be notified of the appropriate local authority details in
order that arrangements can be made for a ceremony.
Rochdale Council holds one group citizenship ceremony each month
in Rochdale Town Hall Council Chamber, usually with the Mayor or
Deputy Mayor being present.
Individual private citizenship ceremonies can be booked at
Rochdale Register Office to suit the applicant. (An additional fee
is payable) If you have received written confirmation from the Home
Office to book a citizenship ceremony in Rochdale, please telephone
our Citizenship ceremony booking line on 01706 924898.
The Superintendent Registrar for Rochdale or his deputy conducts
a citizenship ceremony and a brief explanation is given on the
significance and commitments of the promises you will make before
being granted British citizenship. The Mayor will give a welcoming
speech on behalf of Rochdale Council
You will then be asked as a group to repeat on oath of
allegiance and pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.
The Mayor or Superintendent will then present British
nationality certificates and an information pack to all applicants.
Photographs can be taken of applicants receiving their certificate
from the Mayor. There is usually a photographer present at group
citizenship ceremonies and photographs can be purchased after the
ceremony.
The ceremony concludes with the playing of the national
anthem.
Guests at the ceremony
You can bring up to two guests each to a group ceremony. If you
are booking a private ceremony in the Register Office, you can
bring up to 32 guests. Invitation cards will be given to all guests
attending a ceremony. Guests would not be allowed in to the
ceremony without their invitation card.
Length of ceremony
All group ceremonies start at 3pm and will normally last
approximately 30 minutes. All applicants need to book in for their
ceremony between 2pm-2.30pm. Light refreshments are provided before
the ceremony. Any applicant or guest arriving late will not be
permitted in to the ceremony after it has started.