Nationality Checking Service
Wandsworth Register office is proud to announce another new service for our community. Working in partnership with The Home Office we can now support those who are applying for British Citizenship by offering our Nationality Checking Service for their application forms.

The aim of the service is to help reduce unnecessary delays in the process of applying for British Citizenship. It is a fact that correctly completed applications with the correct documents and fees attached are usually resolved more quickly than incomplete applications. However this is not a priority service.

To use the service you should contact us to make an appointment to see an advisor.

NCS
The Register Office
The Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PU
Email: ncs@wandsworth.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8871 6124
Fax: 020 8871 8100

Make an appointment online >>

The service offers for a modest fee:-

• Checking of completed application forms
• Checking correct selection of form and appropriate fee have been made
• Ensuring all required supporting documents are attached
• Checking, copying and certifying your supporting documents
• Secure, swift and safe submission of your documents to the Home Office.

The advantage of using the service is that your documents, including your  passport, remain in your safekeeping and are not forwarded to the Home Office for the duration of your application. The copies which we have certified as correct copies of the originals are sent to the Home Office.

All applicants for naturalisation will need to demonstrate knowledge of life in the United Kindgdom in addition to a level of competence in English from 1st November 2005.

The aim of these new procedures is to ensure that new British citizens are equipped with basic level understanding of British culture, customs and life in UK in general.

For applicants whose first language is English or who are already competent in the language, should take the test on Knowledge of Life in UK. Test centre location details and further information is available at www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk Please note that evidence of identity must be produced when you sit the test. A letter will be issued from the test centre when you have passed the test and this must be provided with your other documents when you use the Nationality Checking Service. The document will be sent with your application to the Home Office, and not photocopied and returned to you.

For applicants whose first language is not English or who have a limited command of the english language should undertake an ESOL - with- citizenship course. (English for speakers of other languages). These are standard ESOL courses with 'Life in the UK' syllabus and will be provided from EnglishUK accredited colleges. Applicants passing at entry level 1,2 or 3 will have reached the required standard. When you attend an appointment with the Nationality Checking Service you must produce  an ESOL certificate stating you have a 'Skills for Life ESOL' qualification and an additional letter from the college confirming that the course used citizenship materials and that a life in UK syllabus was used.

Further information and advice is available on the Home Office website at www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
and www.learndirect.co.uk and www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk
and Life in the UK helpline 0800 015 4245.

The scale of fees charged for the checking service is listed below.

The Nationality Checking Service at Wandsworth Register Office is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to provide this service. For more information visit www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone the helpline on 0845 010 5200.

For information and to make an appointment for the service contact the Nationality Checking Service by emailing ncs@wandsworth.gov.uk or calling 020 8871 6124.

For advice on any other immigration matters, but not the checking service, you should consult your legal advisers, The Home Office or alternatively: -

Battersea Law Centre, 14 York Road London, SW11 3QA
Telephone 020 7585 0716 for an appointment.
Wandsworth and Merton Law Centre, 101A Tooting High Street, SW17 0SU
Telephone 020 8767 2777 for an appointment

Please note that the Law Centres are not able to give information or make appointments for the Nationality Checking Service.

Fees schedule

Adult application - £40 (inclusive of VAT)
Child application - £20 (inclusive of VAT)