Citizenship ceremonies

Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 all applicants aged 18 years or over who have had their application for British citizenship granted must attend a citizenship ceremony.

The ceremony will include taking an oath or affirmation to the King and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.

Salford Register Office is responsible for making the arrangements for citizenship ceremonies of applicants who live within the city of Salford.

When an applicant receives a letter of approval from the Home Office, they should contact the Salford register office to obtain details of which ceremony they may attend. Applicants are required to attend a ceremony within three months of the approval from the Home Office being given, otherwise they may have to make a new arrangement.

To arrange a ceremony please contact us online or by writing to:

Citizenship Officer
Salford Register Office
Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
Salford
M27 5AW

Or you can email: registeroffice@salford.gov.uk.

Ceremony venues

Standard group citizenship ceremonies will normally be held each month on a Tuesday afternoon at the council chamber, Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton. The number of applicants at each group ceremony may vary with up to 34 applicants attending a ceremony at any one time.

Private ceremonies

If you wish to celebrate becoming a British citizen in a more personal way, this may be for family, personal or cultural reasons, you may do so in the ceremony suite at the town hall. This will allow you to invite family and friends and have an alternative venue to the council chamber.

If this is your preference, you will need to contact the citizenship officer as soon as possible to allow arrangements to be made within three months of your application being granted. You will be advised of where your ceremony may take place but the council will charge an extra fee for this. Ceremonies cannot be held in private homes.

The cost of private ceremonies are £100. For families the cost is £100 for the first family member and £50 for each additional member.

Ceremony details

Standard group ceremonies will normally start between 2pm and 2.30pm depending on the size of the group.

Applicants should arrive at 1.30pm prompt for the ceremony so that the Citizenship Officers may book you in and check your details. You must bring your Home Office invitation and your confirmation letter from Salford City Council to the ceremony as you will not be permitted entrance to the ceremony without them. Guests attending a ceremony must bring their invitation card with them.

On your arrival at the ceremony we will give you a personalised copy of the oath or affirmation depending on your choice, and the pledge to use during the ceremony. If you wish to swear your allegiance to the Crown whilst holding a holy book you should bring one to the ceremony with you.

The standard group ceremony will normally comprise the following:

  • Introduction and welcome
  • Address by local dignitary
  • Taking or affirming of the oath and pledge
  • Official response
  • Presentation of the Citizenship Certificate
  • National anthem

Children

There is no legal requirement for applicants under the age of 18 to attend a citizenship ceremony and take the oath and pledge. However, children under 18 who have applied with their parents may attend a ceremony with other members of the family.

Children attending a ceremony may take the oath and pledge if they wish and collect their certificate. If any children cannot attend a ceremony another family member may collect their certificate.

Please let the citizenship officer know as soon as possible if any children will be attending your ceremony.

Guests

Whilst you are welcome to bring guests, family and friends to your ceremony, accommodation is unfortunately restricted at the standard group ceremonies.

It is therefore necessary to place a restriction of up to two guests per applicant at a group ceremony. Attendance at these ceremonies is strictly by invitation only and applicants will be issued with an appropriate number of entrance cards.

Further information

If you have any enquiries regarding an application for British citizenship, you should contact the Home Office in the first instance.

This page was last updated on 7 November 2022

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