Current naturalisation/citizenship waiting times

blahblah when you got your passport back was it sent to you by regular 2nd class post.

Anyone else when you got your passport/valuable documents back were they sent to you by regular post not special delivery?

Finally received my approval letter!!! 

Applied through NCS - 5 April 2016
Application received - April 6
Payment taken: 25 April 2016
Letter of acknowledgement: 25 April 2016
biometrics invite: 28 April 2016
Biometrics submitted: 30 April 2016
Approval letter received: 21 July 2016 (dated 6 July)
Ceremony booked for 7 September 2016

Can't believe this process is (almost) finally over!!
Next hurdle (after ceremony, of course) - passport application...

Good luck to everyone still waiting!!  Hang in there! 

Congrats staceyann, were your documents returned to you alongside the Approval letter that you received on 21 July 2016 ?

Were your documents sent back 2nd class post or by signed for delivery? oyu would have needed to have sent UKVI a pre paid special delivery envelope to get your documents returned to you by signed for delivery.

blahblah when you got your passport back was it sent to you by regular 2nd class post.

Anyone else when you got your passport/valuable documents back were they sent to you by regular post not special delivery?

When I sent my application in, I included a special delivery mailer for them to return documents so my letter of approval came with my US passport.

Finally received my approval letter!!! 

Applied through NCS - 5 April 2016
Application received - April 6
Payment taken: 25 April 2016
Letter of acknowledgement: 25 April 2016
biometrics invite: 28 April 2016
Biometrics submitted: 30 April 2016
Approval letter received: 21 July 2016 (dated 6 July)
Ceremony booked for 7 September 2016

Can't believe this process is (almost) finally over!!
Next hurdle (after ceremony, of course) - passport application...

Good luck to everyone still waiting!!  Hang in there! 

I knew you would hear soon!
How did you get your ceremony scheduled so quickly? My letter said I had to wait and if I didn't hear by 3 weeks to email! Well, I am ringing the locals on Monday to see if I can have it first week in August.

Hi colours - thank you!  Wish I could help with your questions - but I applied through the Nationality Checking Service so I didn't need to send in any of my documents.  I knew I would need to travel during the time my application was pending, so I knew I'd need to apply through NCS....

Hi blahblah - yes!! Finally!!  Feels so good!   My letter said I needed to contact my local authority within 21 days to schedule my ceremony.  Maybe it's different depending on your council - I'm in Northern Ireland so I'm not sure if that makes a difference?  Some things vary wildly over here...!  Hopefully you will hear from your council soon!!

blahblah when you got your passport back was it sent to you by regular 2nd class post.

Anyone else when you got your passport/valuable documents back were they sent to you by regular post not special delivery?

I think ours was sent regular second class, they were returned about a week before approval.

Sent application in by post on 12 April 2016
It was received on 13 April 2016
Credit card had fee deducted 2 May 2016
Email acknowledging application 5 May 2016
Letter acknowledging application/requesting biometrics 6 May 2016
Biometrics done 11 May 2016
Letter of approval -sent with return of passport -16 July 2016 (dated 14 July)
Letter of invitation to ceremony -23 July 2016 (dated 15 July)

I think ours was sent regular second class, they were returned about a week before approval.

 beignets thanks for the reply.  beignets did you enclose a stamped addressed envelope when you sent your Passport etc with the FOrm AN? Or did you use NCS?

beignets thanks for the reply.  beignets did you enclose a stamped addressed envelope when you sent your Passport etc with the FOrm AN? Or did you use NCS?

No to both of those. Just sent all the documents in an envelope and they returned them in an unmarked brown envelope with a letter saying they had been returned for our convenience.

Good news...I think...

I am having my ceremony on Tuesday morning, 2 August. Good part is that it is a 10 minute walk for me and that my great, sweet mate will be with me. The not so nice bit is it is considered private so no dignitaries. I really don't mind as it is just a technicality and I want it over with! Too bad I paid for a regular ceremony but at least they aren't charging me for a private one either!

The women at the registrars (two offices/locations) were all very, very nice but when one (the boss) rang me back to confirm the 2nd she said Wednesday and I made sure she meant Tuesday! She didn't notice she had messed up so I can only pray the papers find their way here from the office an hour away!

Congrats Blahblah and StaceyAnn!   Fantastic news for both of you!

Thanks Fallgal.

My ceremony was very sparse and pleasant. Just me, my mate and the main registrar lady. She was very, very nice.Thankfully I didn't have to sing. I told her I would if both of them would join in.

Pretty cool and hasn't sunk in that I am now British. Took a few decades, but better late than never I say. Haha.

Once I recover from the last week, I shall forge ahead and do the passport.

Thanks Fallgal.

My ceremony was very sparse and pleasant. Just me, my mate and the main registrar lady. She was very, very nice.Thankfully I didn't have to sing. I told her I would if both of them would join in.

Pretty cool and hasn't sunk in that I am now British. Took a few decades, but better late than never I say. Haha.

Once I recover from the last week, I shall forge ahead and do the passport.

So glad it went well for you!

I'm glad you had a nice ceremony in the end, Blahblah.   I still have to do my passport. I'm just kinda sick of it all ATM, but will get to it soon.