Process

Naturalisation is the customary method by which adults apply for citizenship and is at the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor based on statutory criteria such as residence, language, knowledge of life in the UK and Islands and good character.

Registration is a similar process but mainly for minors and persons who already hold a British nationality other than British citizenship. In some cases there is an entitlement to register.

This diagram is intended as a guide to visually illustrate the process for ease.

The process of naturalisation as a British citizen involves a number of stages, some of which are carried out by other government departments including the Home Office in the UK. In normal circumstances, we therefore anticipate that most applicants will receive an invitation to attend a ceremony within 9 months of the applications being made.

Successful candidates must attend a Citizenship Ceremony where they will be required to swear either an Oath of Allegiance to the Sovereign or if a non-religious option is preferred, they may declare an Affirmation of Allegiance to the Sovereign.

Candidates will also be required to make a Pledge to be loyal and respect rights and freedoms and to uphold the democratic values of the 'United Kingdom'. The British Nationality Act includes, with the consent of the Isle of Man, a legal definition which defines for the purposes of nationality only, the Crown Dependencies.

After candidates have taken the oath or affirmation, taken the pledge and been addressed by the Commissioner for Oaths, the Certificates, to which the newly naturalised or registered British citizen are entitled, will be presented by the Lieutenant-Governor or on his behalf by the Private Secretary to the Lieutenant-Governor.

Applying through the UK

Applicants who are resident in the Isle of Man are required to apply through the Isle of Man Passport, Immigration and Nationality Office. If you apply to the Home Office in the UK your application is likely to be returned to you and you may not get your application fee refunded by the UK Home Office.

Receiving updates

It is not our practice to provide updates on the progress of your application. If additional documents are required, we will write out to you within a month of receiving the application. Otherwise you should expect the first contact to be when we invite you to enrol your biometrics.