All applicants aged 18 years or over must attend a ceremony. Children under the age of 18 do not need to attend although if other family members are attending a ceremony and the child wishes to take part they may do so.

Standard Ceremonies will be held at Accrington Register Office and The County Hall, Preston. For details of available dates please contact the Citizenship Ceremonies Office. You will be asked to arrive at 11.15am. Late arrival may result in your ceremony not taking place.

There will normally be between 15 and 20 new citizens at each ceremony. Alternatively, you may prefer to celebrate gaining citizenship in a more personal way with your family and friends at one of Lancashire County Council's approved venues. A private ceremony cannot take place at home. A list of venues is available from the Citizenship Ceremonies Office. There will be an extra cost of £95.00 for a private ceremony.

After your arrival, we will serve you with refreshments and check your details. At the ceremony a County dignitary will make a welcome speech. You will then swear or affirm allegiance to the Queen and give the pledge of loyalty. You will then be presented with your certificate of naturalisation and be invited to sign the Lancashire Register of Citizenship. You will also be given a gift from Lancashire County Council. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of the National Anthem.

Both statements do exactly the same thing, which is to promise your allegiance to the Queen. The only difference is that the oath is based on religious principles and the affirmation is not. If you decide to swear the oath whilst holding a holy book you should bring one to the ceremony with you.

You may bring up to 2 guests along with you to the ceremony. Unfortunately space is limited at both venues.

No, you must first contact the Citizenship Ceremonies Office by telephone on 01772 326890. Everyone attending a ceremony must have an invitation.

If you don't arrange to attend a ceremony within three months of your approval, your details are returned to the Home Office and your application has to start again.

If you have any questions regarding an application – telephone the Home Office Ceremonies Support Team on 0845 010 5200.

If you have any questions regarding attending a ceremony – telephone Lancashire County Council's Citizenship Ceremonies Office on 01772 326890 or email citizen@lancashire.gov.uk.

For more information and application forms on how to become a British Citizen, please click on the Home Office Website.