Citizenship
Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, all applicants aged 18 years or over who are accepted for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony.
The heart of the citizenship ceremony will involve prospective citizens making an oath or affirmation to His Majesty the King and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom after which a certificate will be presented.
In the county of Flintshire citizenship ceremonies are provided by Flintshire County Council and the arrangements currently in operation are as follows:
When an applicant receives their letter of approval from the Home Office they are advised to contact the Flintshire Register Office to obtain details of the next ceremony.
The Register Office can be contacted by telephone on 01352 703333 or email Registrars@flintshire.gov.uk
Applicants are required to attend a ceremony within 3 months of the approval being given otherwise they may have to make a new application.
When you become a British citizen, you are granted permanent right of abode in the United Kingdom. You are eligible for a British passport and you are granted the right to vote in elections.
The citizenship ceremony is the final step in the process of becoming a British citizen. The Council is responsible for organising ceremonies for applicants who live in Flintshire or who request to have their ceremony in Flintshire.
The ceremony is a celebration of the importance of this new legal status. You will be presented with your certificate and officially welcomed into the community.
How to apply
If you are interested in becoming a British citizen, please contact the Home Office Border & Immigration Agency on 0845 010 5200 between 9.00am and 9.00pm, Monday to Friday or visit the Home Office website (new window).
Applicants for British citizenship must pass the "Life in the UK Test" before they can be granted British citizenship.
Further information can be found on the Knowledge of Language and "Life in the UK Test" (new window) within the Home Office website. A process of earned (or active) citizenship has been introduced in 2010.
Where is the ceremony?
The ceremony is held at the Register Office, Llwynegrin Hall, Mold (Telephone: 01352 703333or email registrars@flintshire.gov.uk) The ceremony includes a welcoming speech from the Chairman of Flintshire County Council and the applicant swears or affirms an oath of allegiance to His Majesty the King and gives a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. The Chairman presents each applicant with their citizenship certificates, a commemorative medal and an information pack which includes information about applying for a British passport and an electoral registration form to register to vote.
Who can attend?
Any person who lives outside of Flintshire can request to have their citizenship ceremony in Flintshire. To do this, simply request 'Flintshire' as the place you would like to attend a ceremony on your Home Office application form.
Applicants can invite guests to their ceremony and have an opportunity for photographs during and after the ceremony.
Private Ceremonies
Private ceremonies are available by arrangement for a fee of £100. Please contact Flintshire Register Office on 01352 703333 or email Registrars@flintshire.gov.uk for further details.