Citizenship, naming and vow renewal ceremonies

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. They 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. When you contact the register office, have your Home Office reference number and poll number (if applicable) ready. The register office will send you a booking confirmation and more information about the ceremony.

Please telephone our ceremonies office on 023 9282 9041 (option 1) to check availability and arrange a date for your ceremony.

At the ceremony, you will be welcomed by the registrar. You are required to make the oath or affirmation and the pledge. The exact wording of the vows is on the Home Office website and on your Home Office invitation letter. You are presented with your citizenship certificate and a Home Office welcome pack. You are also invited to sign our Citizenship Register. The ceremony closes with the playing of the national anthem.

These ceremonies are designed for people who wish to celebrate a special event in their lives. The ceremony has no legal status and is simply an opportunity to bring together family and friends to share in a special or significant occasion.  A commemorative certificate is presented as a record of the ceremony.

All ceremonies have a basic structure, but you are invited to make choices about important aspects of the ceremony, such as promises to each other or your child.

Renewal of vows

For any married couple wishing to celebrate the renewal of their wedding vows, and often associated with a special wedding anniversary. The ceremony is appropriate for couples at any stage of their marriage. Many couples who initially chose a ceremony abroad renew their vows in a special event for friends and family on their return.

Naming ceremonies

Parents celebrate the arrival of the new child into their family with a naming ceremony, which gives both friends and family the opportunity to gather together and show their support for the child. This type of ceremony could also be used as a way of bonding families together, such as stepchildren into a new family. Naming ceremonies are not just for babies; children of any age can have a ceremony either individually or as a family.

Civil Partnership ceremony

For any couple wishing to celebrate their civil partnership registration with a ceremony. The ceremony is appropriate for couples at any stage of their civil partnership.

Venues and fees

A registrar officiates at renewal of vows, naming and civil partnership ceremonies. Ceremonies can be held at either the register office (Milldam House) or one of the approved venues in Portsmouth.

Fees for both can be found below:

Fees include a commemorative certificate of the ceremony.

A unique keepsake to celebrate the ceremony and help preserve your family’s history. Certificates are printed on quality paper, in a standard A4 framing size (210mm x 297mm) and cost £10. Examples are on display at Portsmouth register office.

Please email registrars@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to apply.

Commemorative certificates cannot be used for legal or statutory purposes.