British Citizenship Application: Complete Guide to Referees, Documents & Process 2026

Applying for British Citizenship: Overview

After holding Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for at least 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. This guide covers everything you need to know, including the commonly asked question about handling referees who live in different cities.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for British citizenship, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Have held ILR for at least 12 months — but see exception below for spouse route
• Have lived in the UK for at least 5 years before your application
• Not have spent more than 450 days outside the UK in the 5 years before applying
• Not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• Meet the good character requirement
• Have passed the Life in the UK test
• Meet English language requirements
• Intend to continue living in the UK

🎯 Spouse Route Exception: No 12-Month Wait!

This is one of the most commonly overlooked rules in citizenship applications:

Why Does This Exception Exist?

The spouse route already requires you to be married to a British citizen and live in the UK for 5 years before getting ILR. By the time you receive ILR, you've already demonstrated your commitment to the UK.

Real Example

A client came to me believing she had to wait 12 months after receiving ILR before applying for citizenship. I explained that, as she was married to a British citizen and had obtained ILR under the spouse route, she could apply immediately.

She was pleasantly surprised and instructed me to proceed with her naturalisation application straight away. Last week, her application for British citizenship was approved.

Who Qualifies for Immediate Citizenship Application?

You can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving ILR if:

• ✅ You are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen
• ✅ You obtained ILR through the spouse/partner (family) route
• ✅ Your spouse/partner is still a British citizen at the time of your citizenship application
• ✅ You meet all other citizenship requirements (good character, Life in UK test, etc.)

Who Still Needs to Wait 12 Months?

The standard 12-month ILR waiting period applies if you:

• Obtained ILR through the work route (Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, etc.)
• Obtained ILR through Long Residence (10-year route)
• Are not married/partnered to a British citizen
• Got ILR as a dependant of a work visa holder (not spouse route)

Don't Assume — Check Your Route

Many people, and even some solicitors, don't know about this exception. If you got ILR through the spouse route, you could save yourself a year of waiting. Check the route stated on your ILR decision letter.

Understanding the Referee Requirement

One of the most common questions about citizenship applications is about referees. You need two referees who can confirm your identity and good character.

Referee Requirements

Each referee must:

• Be a British citizen
• Have known you personally for at least 3 years
• Be over 25 years old
• Not be related to you (by blood or marriage)
• Not be your solicitor or agent helping with the application
• Not be in a romantic relationship with you

Professional Requirements for Referees

At least one referee must hold one of these positions:

• Doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife
• Teacher or lecturer
• Lawyer (solicitor or barrister) — but not YOUR lawyer for this application
• Accountant
• Bank or building society official
• Police officer
• Civil servant (permanent)
• Minister of religion
• Member of Parliament
• Justice of the Peace
• Social worker
• Pharmacist
• Engineer (chartered)
• Airline pilot
• Member of professional body

The second referee can be any British citizen who meets the other requirements, regardless of their profession.

Handling Referees in Another City

This is a frequently asked question:

"If my referees are from another city, do I need to print the reference forms, paste my picture, and send to referees to sign and return? Or is there another way?"

The Short Answer

Yes, you'll need to send physical forms to your referees if they're in another city. There is currently no digital/online option for referee signatures on citizenship applications.

Step-by-Step Process for Remote Referees

1. Complete the referee sections of your application form (Form AN) with your referees' details
2. Print the referee declaration pages — these are separate sheets that referees need to complete and sign
3. Attach passport-sized photos — each referee needs to sign the back of ONE of your photos
4. Send to your referees — post the forms to each referee with clear instructions
5. Include a return envelope — provide a pre-paid, pre-addressed envelope for them to return the signed forms
6. Collect and submit — once you have both signed forms back, include them with your application

What Referees Need to Do

Each referee must:

• ✅ Complete their section of the referee form (personal details, profession, how they know you)
• ✅ Sign the form with their usual signature
• ✅ Sign the back of your photo — writing something like: "I certify that this is a true likeness of [Your Full Name]"
• ✅ Date everything
• ✅ Return to you — not directly to the Home Office

Tips for Managing Remote Referees

• Give clear instructions: Include a cover letter explaining exactly what they need to do
• Highlight where to sign: Use sticky notes or highlight the signature areas
• Use tracked post: Send via Royal Mail Signed For or courier to avoid lost documents
• Allow plenty of time: Give referees at least 2-3 weeks, as people are busy
• Follow up politely: A gentle reminder after a week is reasonable
• Have backup referees: If one referee is unresponsive, you may need to find another

Alternative: Meet in Person

If possible, you could:

• Travel to meet your referee and have them complete the form in person
• Meet halfway at a convenient location
• Wait until they visit your city

However, for most people, posting the forms is the most practical option.

Required Documents for Citizenship

Identity Documents

• Current valid passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) showing ILR
• Previous passports covering your time in the UK

Residence Evidence

• Evidence of your 5-year residence in the UK
• Travel history showing absences from the UK

English Language & Life in UK

• Life in the UK test pass certificate
• English language evidence (if not covered by Life in the UK test)

Referee Documents

• Completed referee declarations (signed by both referees)
• Two passport photos signed by referees on the back

The Application Process

1. Check eligibility — Use the government's online checker
2. Gather documents — Collect everything on the checklist
3. Find referees — Approach suitable people well in advance
4. Apply online — Complete Form AN on gov.uk
5. Pay the fee — Currently £1,580
6. Book biometrics appointment
7. Submit documents — At your biometrics appointment or by post
8. Wait for decision — Usually up to 6 months
9. Attend citizenship ceremony — Within 3 months of approval

Fees (2026)

Item	Cost
Adult naturalisation application	£1,580
Citizenship ceremony	Included (some councils charge extra for private ceremonies)
Biometric enrolment	£19.20

The Citizenship Ceremony

Once approved, you must attend a citizenship ceremony within 3 months. At the ceremony, you will:

• Take the Oath of Allegiance (or Affirmation if you prefer not to swear)
• Make the Pledge to the United Kingdom
• Receive your Certificate of Naturalisation

After the ceremony, you can apply for a British passport.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing Ineligible Referees

Make sure both referees are British citizens and meet all the requirements. Applications are rejected if referees don't qualify.

2. Photos Not Signed Correctly

Referees must sign the back of the photo with your name. Unsigned or incorrectly signed photos cause delays.

3. Miscalculating Absences

The 450-day and 90-day absence limits are strictly enforced. Count your days carefully before applying.

4. Waiting When You Don't Need To (Spouse Route)

If you got ILR through the spouse route (married to a British citizen), you can apply for citizenship immediately — no 12-month wait required. Many people wait unnecessarily because they don't know about this exception.

5. Not Attending Ceremony in Time

You have 3 months to attend your ceremony. Missing this deadline can complicate your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my referees email or fax the signed forms?

No. The Home Office requires original signatures on the physical forms. Scanned or faxed copies are not accepted.

Can both referees be from the same profession?

Only one referee needs to be from the list of professions. The second can be any British citizen who meets the other requirements.

What if I can't find a referee from the approved professions?

You must find at least one. Consider colleagues, former teachers, your GP, or professionals you interact with (accountant, etc.). If you genuinely cannot find one, contact the Home Office for guidance.

Can my referee be a dual national?

Yes, as long as they hold British citizenship (even if they also hold another nationality).

Do referees get contacted by the Home Office?

The Home Office may contact referees to verify information. Referees should be prepared for a possible phone call or letter.

How long does the citizenship application take?

Currently, the standard processing time is up to 6 months. There's no priority service available for citizenship applications.

Do I need to wait 12 months after ILR if I'm married to a British citizen?

No! If you obtained ILR through the spouse/partner route and are still married to a British citizen, you can apply for citizenship immediately after receiving ILR. This is one of the most commonly overlooked rules.

What if I got ILR as a work visa dependant but I'm married to a British citizen now?

The exemption applies to how you obtained ILR, not your current status. If you got ILR through a work visa (as the main applicant or dependant), you need to wait 12 months — even if you later married a British citizen.

Related Guides

• UK ILR Required Documents Checklist
• How Criminal Convictions Affect Citizenship Applications
• Which Visa Types Count Toward ILR?

Official Government Resources

For official guidance on British citizenship applications, refer to these UK government pages:

• 🔗 Apply for Citizenship if You Have ILR — gov.uk
• 🔗 Form AN: Naturalisation Application — gov.uk
• 🔗 Form AN Guidance Notes — gov.uk
• 🔗 Citizenship Ceremonies — gov.uk
• 🔗 Good Character Requirement — gov.uk
• 🔗 Life in the UK Test — gov.uk

Need Help With Your Application?

Preparing a citizenship application requires careful attention to detail, especially with referees and documentation. Our services can help:

AI Document Check (Free) — Instant verification of your documents for completeness and common errors. 1 free check per document daily.

Expert Review (£49) — Comprehensive review by immigration specialists who check your entire application, including referee eligibility and form completion.

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