Becoming a British citizen is a significant event, celebrated with a citizenship ceremony. New citizens make a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom, an oath on their Holy book or an affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen, and are presented with a certificate to celebrate the occasion of becoming a British citizen.
New citizens are invited in a letter from the Home Office to contact the Portsmouth register office to confirm which ceremony they wish to attend. You should attend within 11 weeks of receiving an invitation. When you contact the register office, have your Home Office reference number and poll number ready. The register office will then send you a questionnaire and more information about the ceremony. You are welcome to bring two guests to the citizenship ceremony.
Group citizenship ceremonies are held monthly at Portsmouth register office. You may prefer to celebrate your citizenship with your own individual ceremony, but there is an additional charge for this.
The ceremony consists of a welcome by the registrar, followed by a speech by a local dignitary. You then make the oath or affirmation and pledge. The exact wording of the vows is on the Home Office website.
You are then presented with your citizenship certificate, a welcome pack and a gift from Portsmouth City Council. You are also invited to sign our Citizenship Register. The ceremony closes with the playing of the national anthem.
There will be a professional photographer to take photos of the certificate presentation. Guests are also welcome to take photos. Refreshments are provided.