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Further information
Further information and advice on obtaining a British citizenship is available on the Home Office website or telephone their helpline on 0845 010 5200.
Need Help with your Application for British Citizenship?
With Lancashire’s nationality checking service we will help you get your application right first time. Working in partnership with the Home Office we can now support those who are applying for British Citizenship by offering a nationality checking service.
Our Nationality Checking advisors have been trained and registered with the Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner. Applying for British citizenship can be a difficult and lengthy process. The Home Office will return any application that is not completed properly or does not have the correct supporting documentation. Nine out of ten applicants that use the nationality checking service do not need to be contacted for any further information.
What is the nationality checking service?
It allows you to apply for British citizenship in person at Lancashire Register Office.
As part of the service, Lancashire Registration Service will:
- Check that your application is completed correctly
- Ensure all accompanying documentation is present and correct.
- Certify all records as correct
- Check all required supporting documents are attached to your application
- Send your application safely and quickly to the Home Office
The advantage of using our service is that your original documents including your passport remain in your safekeeping and are not held by the Home Office for the duration of your application.
What happens during the nationality checking service?
When you book an appointment we will give you more information on what to bring. But in general you must:
- Attend in person, if you are married or in a civil partnership and want to make a joint application, then both of you must attend in person.
- Bring the following documents with you:
- Completed citizenship application form
- Original copy of your successful ‘Life in the UK’ test certificate
- All the listed documents in the application form guidance notes
- The citizenship application fee. Home Office fees may be paid by credit/debit card, postal order or cheque (made payable to ‘The Accounting Officer, Home Office’). We cannot send cash to the Home Office.
- The checking service fee, which must be paid separately from the citizenship application fee.
On average, the appointment will take one hour.
What does it cost?
| Type of Application | Chargeable fee (inc of VAT) | VAT | Taxable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult who submits a single application (one fee) | £40.00 | £5.96 | £34.04 |
| One parent and up to two children | £60.00 | £8.94 | £51.06 |
| One parent and up to three children | £70.00 | £10.43 | £59.57 |
| Husband and wife living together who apply at the same time (one fee) | £60.00 | £8.94 | £51.06 |
| Husband and wife (and up to 2 children) | £70.00 | £10.43 | £59.57 |
| Additional children on parents application | £20 per child (eg husband & wife & 4 children : £70.00 + £40.00 = £110.00) | £16.38 | £93.62 |
| One or more children under the age of 18 who apply seperately from their parents | £20.00 per child | £2.98 | £17.02 |
A fee of £5 per single or family application is charged for secure postage in addition to the above fees
A Non-Refundable deposit of £20 must be paid when the initial appointment is made. This deposit will be deducted from the charges listed above when the application is processed for posting to the Home Office. Deposits should be paid by credit cards. Appointments paid for by cheque or postal order (payable to Lancashire County Council) will only be confirmed when the fee is received. Deposits will not be reimbursed if appointments are not kept.
Please note that the Nationality Checking Service fees are in additional to the fee you need to pay to the Home Office for processing an application for nationality.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to ask. Telephone 0845 0530021.
What should I do next?
For more information on Lancashire’s nationality checking service or to book an appointment:
Call us between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 0845 053 0021
Email us at any time – registrarslancashire@lancashire.gov.uk
Further information and advice on obtaining a British citizenship is available on the Home Office website or telephone their helpline on 0845 010 5200.
What if I have a comment or compliant about the service?
If you have a compliment, comment or a complaint about the service please let us know. Lancashire County Council formal complaints procedure is explained in the leaflet or available on our website. You can also submit a comment or complaint using our online form.
If you wish you may make a complaint to the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner at any time, you can find details of how to complain on the OISC website . Postal address 5th Floor, Counting House, 53 Tooley Street, London, SE 2QN. Telephone 020 7211 1500.