Super Quick Citizenship and Travelling

Hi all,

My wife received her invitation for her ceremony today! She applied 5 weeks ago and had her biometrics 4 weeks ago (insane time).

We purposely applied in February to hopefully receive an approval around August/September time when we were definitely not travelling. However, she received it now which puts us in a spot.

Her initial ceremony is 7th of April and she is travelling to the US end of April. Zero room to apply for a British passport.

We also travel to the US (again) and arrive back 6th June which is cutting it fine.

I know she has three months to attend. But I have some questions:

1) When does the 'countdown' begin? She received the council email and hasn't received any official Home Office letters/email.
2) Do councils run these ceremonies every month or is it as and when they get enough applicants?
3) Would she be refused entry if she were to travel after her ceremony? She'd obviously be without her BRP and she'd have her certificate.

TIA!

1.  The countdown will have begun when the Home Office approved her, so it’ll be around the time of the council letter.

2.  All councils are different. All have at least one ceremony a month, most much more frequently.  Always the option of a private ceremony as well. Call your council and you’ll have proper accurate information.

3.  She would be fine to travel without her BRP but absolutely would want a copy of her naturalisation certificate (I believe the original will be with the passport office). She will be held in the pen while they validate her certificate and told to apply for her passport ASAP.

Congratulations! 

3) Would she be refused entry...

  Not in my experience and I tested this last weekend.  I'm sure you've seen the thread.  They can't refuse entry to a UK citizen unless the Home Secretary knows your name.  Let it slip how happy and proud you are to be a UK citizen and the border guards will fall over themselves to open the gate. 

Thanks all.

Yes I saw jimbo just wanted to be extra sure. Especially with you travelling twice as my wife will be also.

Worth her just trying the e-gates on her first trip back?

Just to add:- my wife has the opportunity to have her ceremony in between trips. So we've booked that one so she's only dealing with one return trip. Do you receive your certificate on the day? I'm hoping it's correct!

Yes, you get your certificate on the day and will take lots of photos with it!