British citizenship by marriage

British citizenship by marriage is a pathway to acquiring British citizenship for spouses or civil partners of British citizens. If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship through this route.

How to get citizenship by marriage in the United Kingdom

Here are some key points to understand:

1. Residence requirement. To be eligible for British citizenship by marriage, you must typically have lived in the UK with your British spouse or civil partner for a specified period. Currently, the residence requirement is usually five years, although there are exceptions.
2. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Before applying for British citizenship, you generally need to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. ILR is a settlement status that signifies permanent residence in the country.
3. Demonstrating good knowledge of the English language and passing the Life in the UK test.
4. Proving your continuous residence in the UK throughout the qualifying period.
5. Meeting the character requirements, which involve disclosing any criminal convictions or immigration offenses.
6. Application process. The application process involves completing the relevant forms, gathering supporting documents, and paying the application fee. The documentation required typically includes proof of identity, proof of marriage or civil partnership, evidence of residence, and language proficiency certificates.
7. Decision and ceremony. After submitting your application, the UK Home Office will assess it. When your application is granted, you will be invited to a citizenship ceremony. During this momentous occasion, you will swear an oath or proclaim your allegiance to the United Kingdom and be presented with your Certificate of British Citizenship as a proud new citizen.

Application and Documentation

When applying for British citizenship by marriage, you will typically need the following documentation:

1. Proof of identity. This can include your valid passport, national identity card, or other official identification documents.
2. Proof of marriage or civil partnership. Provide the original marriage or civil partnership certificate as evidence of your legal relationship with your British spouse or civil partner.
3. Proof of residence. Gather documents to demonstrate your residence in the UK with your spouse or civil partner, such as utility bills, rental agreements, or bank statements.
4. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). If you have obtained ILR, provide the relevant document as proof of your settled status in the UK.
5. Language proficiency. You may need to provide a valid English language test certificate or other approved evidence of your English language skills.
6. Life in the UK test. If required, submit the pass certificate from the Life in the UK test, which assesses your knowledge of British society, history, and culture.
7. Character requirements. Declare any criminal convictions or immigration offenses and provide supporting documentation, such as police clearance certificates.

Dual Citizenship

The United Kingdom allows dual citizenship, which means you can hold British citizenship alongside the citizenship of another country. The UK government recognizes and accepts the concept of dual citizenship, and obtaining British citizenship does not require you to renounce your existing citizenship.