Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 all applicants aged 18 years or over who have been granted British citizenship must attend a citizenship ceremony.
Citizens under 18 do not have to attend a ceremony but are encouraged to do so.
The ceremony will include taking an oath or affirmation to the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.
You can only attend a citizenship ceremony if you have been granted British citizenship by the Home Office and the Register Office has received your documentation from the Home Office.
You must contact the Home Office to apply for British citizenship (external link).
Booking your Citizenship Ceremony
Once you have been granted British Citizenship, you will receive a decision letter from the Home Office, this decision letter is also sent to your local Register Office.
On receipt of your Home Office decision letter, your local Register Office will email you an online booking link, inviting you to book your citizenship ceremony.
We have 2 options of citizenships ceremonies available:
- A group citizenship when the ceremony will take place with family and friends along with other citizens. The Mayor of Wigan Borough and one of the Deputy Lieutenants of Greater Manchester are also in attendance. These ceremonies take place at 10.30am on the last Thursday of every month in the Atrium at Wigan Town Hall
- A private face to face citizenship ceremony in The Wiend Suite at Wigan Life Centre. These ceremonies are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 and 16:00. There is a fee for this service.
Before you book your citizenship ceremony, you will need to know the following:
- Your Home Office reference number. This will be in your decision letter
- If you would like a Group or a Private ceremony
- If you would like to say the Oath or Affirmation. You will find further details about this when you make your booking
Your ceremony will need to be conducted within 3 months of receiving your decision from the Home Office.
On the Day of your Ceremony
Please bring the below documents with you on the day of your ceremony. Failure to do so will result in your ceremony being postponed.
- Photographic ID, this can include a passport, biometric residency card or driving licence
- Citizenship Invitation letter/email from the Home Office.