Information about ceremonies Our staff are there to help and support you through the event. We aim to explain things to you so as to remove any apprehension you may feel about taking part. In our experience we find the ceremonies are happy and fulfilling for everyone. In fact so much so that we have received requests to attend a ceremony for those being granted citizenship under the old procedures when attendance for the oath was before a Commissioner for Oaths. They want to attend to and make their oath and pledge in one of our ceremonies. Our ceremonies are scheduled usually for evenings. We offer this service in the belief that the evening would be most convenient for you and would enable some of your family and friends to come along to support you as guests. There are now at least two ceremonies available each month and when you contact our citizenship officers they will offer a place at the earliest available ceremony. Should this not be convenient please tell them and they can advise you of other dates we have available. However I should remind you that the oath and pledge must be spoken within three months of your Home Office notification, otherwise you may be required to begin the procedure again.
You may apply to the Home Office to attend a ceremony at Wandsworth where ever you live. Be assured you will receive a warm and friendly welcome. Let us know if we can assist in ensuring that you attend a ceremony where it is most convenient to you. When attending the ceremony you must arrive in good time to complete the booking in procedure. It is necessary for identity purposes for you to sign our ceremony attendance list and produce to us your letter from the Home Office. Without this document we are not able to proceed so you will not receive your Naturalisation Certificate – please remember to bring the letter with you on the day. The words of the oath and pledge are available to download below. You have a choice to affirm your allegiance or swear the oath to Almighty God. At the ceremony you will be given a card with the words of the oath and pledge. A registration officer will guide you through saying the words. You usually say the words in a group, although each new citizen individually will state their own name.
The Mayor (or other dignitary) will present your Naturalisation Certificate and a Home Office Information Pack. Remember your Naturalisation Certificate is a legal document and is proof of your new status as a British Citizen. Please ensure it is in your safekeeping. Wandsworth also presents each new citizen with a specially designed framed commemorative certificate bearing your name and date of the ceremony, as well as the words you have spoken to become a British Citizen. Photographs taken of the presentations, will be available to purchase from the photographer directly after the ceremony.You may also order them online at www.clickprintphotos.com within 24 hours. All of our ceremonies end with a rendition of the National Anthem – and, of course, the congratulations and good wishes of all of our staff. |
Welcome to British Citizenship in Wandsworth
and making a pledge to be a faithful citizen. This now takes place in a Citizenship Ceremony. Our ceremonies take place in the magnificent art-deco building of Wandsworth Town Hall. Ceremonies are usually held in the grand Council Chamber though sometimes in other attractive rooms within the building. The oath and pledge are led by the Superintendent Registrar and must be spoken by all new citizens. When this final phase of the application is complete and within the ceremony British Naturalisation Certificates are presented to the new citizens. The Mayor (or another civic dignitary) undertakes this pleasant duty and is always delighted to take part in photographs of this memorable occasion. The Mayor also makes a speech of civic welcome to Wandsworth to all the new citizens as part of the proceedings. You are invited to be accompanied by guests to share the occasion with you. The Union flags and National Anthem enhance the dignity and celebration for new citizens and their guests alike.
Some of our new citizens have requested individual ceremonies to meet urgent deadlines or for family reasons. We are able to offer such ceremonies, often at short notice. Individual ceremonies are not usually attended by the Mayor. However our celebrants conduct the proceedings to our usual dignified and pleasing standards. These ceremonies generally take place in the Alexandra Room in the Wandsworth Register Office Suite. A fee is payable for this service.