Registrars service – Citizenship ceremonies
Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants, aged 18 years or over, who are accepted for naturalisation as British Citizens are required to take part in a citizenship ceremony.
The aim of the ceremony is to enable applicants to gain a full understanding of the rights and responsibilities that come with the acquisition of British citizenship and also to ensure that they are properly welcomed into the British community. There is no legal requirement for applicants under the age of 18 years to attend a ceremony or take the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance. However, if children under 18 years of age wish to attend the ceremony they may do so.
Citizenship ceremonies are held in the Oak Room at the Register Office in Chadderton Town Hall. They are normally every 2-3 weeks, depending upon demand. They are group ceremonies often attended by the Mayor of Oldham and the Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester.
The Registrars Service also provides a Nationality Checking Service for people who wish to apply to be British. Applicants need to complete a form which can be downloaded from the Home Office website or can be collected from the registrar’s service prior to the checking service appointment. At the appointment an officer will then assist them by checking that their application form is completed correctly, providing certified copies of supporting documents (so that the originals e.g. passports do not need to be sent to the Home Office), and sending the application by special delivery to the Home Office. This service is by appointment only and there is a fee.