Waiting times
This page tells you how quickly we aim to complete new applications for British citizenship and other forms of British nationality.
Since the announcement of the proposed changes to the route to British citizenship (earned citizenship) we have been receiving significantly more applications than usual. You should think very carefully before applying if you require your passports within the next three months. You will not need to send your original documents if you make your application through the nationality checking service. See nationality checking service for details of local councils that offer the service. The nationality contact centre can also give you these details.
We may also accept copies of original documents that have been certified by solicitors.
All applications for citizenship are subject to enquiries to ensure that the statutory requirements have been satisfied. These enquires can take some time to complete. The additional applications will result in slightly longer waiting times and we anticipate that applications made since January will take up to seven months to complete. Someone who applied in June 2008 should not expect to here from us before the end of December 2008. However this is only an average waiting time and some applications may be dealt with more quickly and some may take longer depending on the nature of the enquiries to be carried out.
If you have sent applications or documents to us by recorded or special delivery, you can confirm receipt by visiting the Royal Mail website.
