Nationality checking service
This page explains what the nationality checking service is and how you can use it when making your application for British citizenship.
The nationality checking service is provided by local authorities (for example your county council or city council). The service allows you to make your application for British citizenship in person at your local council offices.
How does the service work?
If you decide to use the nationality checking service, you will have to pay a fee to the local authority. The fee is set by the local authority and you should contact it for details. The local authority fee is in addition to the fee you pay to us for deciding your application.
You should contact the local authority before you visit its office to find out if you need to make an appointment. You must visit the local authority in person; you cannot send a representative on your behalf. If you are a husband and wife or civil partners making a joint application you must visit the local authority together.
You should take your completed application form, supporting documents and the application fee with you to the local authority offices. Staff will check:
- your application form is completed correctly; and
- you have provided all the necessary supporting documents; and
- you have included the correct fee for us to process your application.
The local authority will also photocopy and certify any valuable documents such as your passport. Your valuable documents will be returned and you will not need to send them to us. You must take the original documents with you to the local authority; photocopies are not acceptable.
We need the original evidence of your knowledge of life in the UK. These documents will not be photocopied by the local authority. We will return any original educational certificates by recorded delivery. Your letter about your life in the UK test will be retained by us as part of your application.
Once your application has been checked and your valuable documents have been copied, your application will be sent to us by recorded delivery.
The local authority only provides a checking service and will not be able to give you nationality or immigration advice. If we need further information to support your application we will write to you at the address you provided on the application form.
Where is the service available?
The service is not available from all local authorities. If your local authority does not currently provide the service you can go to another authority in your area.
To make it easier for you to find your closest local authority that offers the service, we have separated the information into offices in England, Greater London, Scotland and Wales.
England
Excluding central and greater London
Greater London
The city of London and surrounding areas
