Citizenship ceremonies

If you have received your letter from the Home Office informing you that your application for citizenship has been granted, you should contact us to book your citizenship ceremony.

These ceremonies have been designed to make the important occasion of becoming a citizen a memorable and enjoyable event.

They usually take place in the local authority area where you live. This lets the local authority include suitable local content in the ceremony, which is intended not only to welcome you as a new citizen to the United Kingdom but also to your local community.

Ceremonies held in Hull

Citizenship ceremonies are held in the Guildhall twice a month. After you have received your letter from the Home Office informing you that your citizenship application has been granted you may contact us at the register office, and we will advise you of the next available ceremony dates.

Number of guests at a ceremony

Friends and family are welcome to attend though we respectfully request that guests are limited to two per citizen.

Attending a ceremony outside of Hull

It is possible to have a ceremony outside Hull but on behalf of Hull City Council we would like to use this ceremony to welcome you to your local community. However, you can opt to have your ceremony in any area of your choice. You should specify your preference on your application form if you want your ceremony outside your area of residence. If you do not do this the Home Office will only consider changes after the application has been made under exceptional circumstances.

Group or individual ceremonies

The most common ceremony is the group ceremony and celebrating becoming a United Kingdom citizen as part of a group can make the occasion even more memorable. However you can arrange to have an individual or family ceremony at the register office if you wish, at an additional cost.

Length of the ceremony

The ceremony will take approximately 40 minutes though you will be in attendance for about one hour to include registration before the ceremony. There are opportunities to take photographs after the ceremony and have light refreshments.

Dress code

Citizens and their guests are free to dress however they feel most comfortable. As the ceremony is a formal occasion ‘smart casual’ wear is recommended and the traditional national costume of the country of your origin is welcome.

Additional fees

You paid for the group ceremony at the Guildhall when you made your application for British citizenship. Individual or family ceremonies may be booked to take place at the register office for an additional fee.

What happens in the citizenship ceremony

After you have signed in and your documentation has been checked you will be seated with the other new citizens attending the ceremony. The ceremony will start with a welcome from the superintendent registrar conducting the event and he or she will usually introduce the Lord Mayor or visiting dignitary who will give a welcome speech on behalf of the community of Hull. You will then take the Oath of Allegiance to the Sovereign and make a pledge that you will be a loyal citizen of the United Kingdom. Both the Oath and the pledge will be repeated as a group spoken after the official conducting the ceremony. The Lord Mayor will then present you with your citizenship certificate and you will have the opportunity to have your photograph taken during the presentation. The ceremony will conclude with the playing of the National Anthem.

Time is set aside following the ceremony for refreshments and the opportunity to meet your fellow guests and representatives of Hull City Council.

The presentation of the certificate

The certificate is presented to you at the ceremony, usually by the dignitary in attendance. If you have children who have attained British citizenship they are welcome to attend a ceremony to receive their certificates. If they do not attend, either parent can collect the certificates on their behalf.

Passport applications

Citizenship is conferred upon you at the ceremony and once you have received your citizenship certificate you can apply for a passport.

If you need any more information about citizenship ceremonies in Hull you can contact us using the methods below.