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.