Citizenship Ceremony yesterday

Hi all,
I went to my Citizenship ceremony yesterday afternoon in High Wycombe and it was really nice and interesting.

Everyone had to arrive 1:45 for 2:30 so that they could check our invites and log each of us into their book.
The Superintendent Registrar spoke to us individually and told us about what would happen in the ceremony and gave us an Oath or, in my case, an Affirmation sheet with the words we have to say.

We went into the well airconditioned room (very nice  ) and sat on either side based on whether we were affirming or taking an oath.  I think it was a judge who spoke to us about some history and information mostly about our county of Buckinghamshire with lots of tidbits, some I didn't know (did you know there's an Aylesbury Duck or that the Lace Industry was big there?  Or that a few centuries ago the County Town was moved from Buckingham to Aylesbury because the officials feared highway men on the Buckingham read.  I knew about the Furniture Industry in Wycombe).  They were very proud of their county.

Next, the Oath folks read from their sheet following the Superintendent's words and the Affirming people went next.

The judge had each person come up and get their packet with Naturalisation certificate, information about getting a Passport and a gift, which was a glass paperweight saying 'Commemorating British Citizens' (I think) and a picture of the Swan with the crown chained around its neck (symbol of Bucks).  Everyone could take pictures receiving their stuff and also standing next to a big picture of Queenie in the front of the room.

They then proceeded to play a CD with the national anthem on it for which we all stood.

Lastly, they had us go back into the first room where they had tea and coffee, buscuits and cakes and we could all chat.  I think it was all done a bit after 3:00.

A nice day all around, really.

Matt

Congratulations Matt! That really sounds touching.
How long did it take you to get your passport back after applying? The reason I ask is I have to go back to the USA in Jan and really didnt want to have to worry about not having my passport back on time so I have been putting off applying.

Congratulations Matt!  That is so exciting!

Thanks guys, it was a really nice ceremony.

Pebbles, to answer your question, I didn't have to give up my US passport at all in applying because I went to Brent Town Hall and they certified it for me (along with all other related application items) for £30.  They sent it off the day I went in (Friday afternoon) and the Home Office received it on the Monday and had everything processed that week.

I know some people have sent in their documents in the past to Liverpool so they might be able to answer better.  I highly suggest going to one of the Nationality Checking offices if it's feasible for you.  It might require a trip down to London, however.

Matt

Congratulations Matt!

Pebbles, my application took 3 months, and they kept my passport the entire time.
I thought 3 months was actually brilliant, cos their website said the average time was 8 months! 

Garry just advised me not to send my passport so I'll have to find someone to notarize a copy for me. Is it certify like Matt said or notarize? Is there a difference?

You can have a solicitor notarise a copy of the document, ie with the stamp and signature, saying that it is a true copy of the original.  Or you can go to one of the local councils on the Home Office website and they will make copies certifying that they are true copies of the original.  The council staff aren't notaries but the Home Office has appointed them specially to act on its behalf.

I don't know for sure how much a notary would cost, I suspect it's down to the solicitor's fees.  The council charged me £30 and that included them sending it special next business day delivery to the Home Office in Liverpool.

Matt

Congrats, Matt!  And what a neat ceremony.

My hubby took his oath yesterday in Orlando, and it was nowhere near what you've described.  He was the only one, we stayed in the lobby of the Consular office (anyone could have walked in, and in fact they had said he could have one guest but we had both children and a friend there too-she was supposed to watch them it's a long story).  He got his certificate but no gift or anything, no speech beforehand, no tea, no national anthem.  He just took the oath, got his cert and a passport application and that was it.  I'm not telling him about yours, I don't want to disappoint him.

Saf, sorry to hear your hubby didn't have that great a US citizenship ceremony experience.
DW didn't get past the green card stage when we were over there so she didn't get to experience that.

Matt

Oh, no, it was still a wonderful experience and incredibly important and special.  It just wasn't fancy like yours.  Thanks though!

Although now I'm worried about when it's my turn and he sees something like what you've described...

I'm sure he'll be too happy for you on the day to mind too much.

Matt

The ceremony part was started just after I got my citizenship. On the first one, Prince Charles administered the oath/affirmation and I would have loved to have done that!

When I got the papers in the post, it was kinda like looking around an empty room and feeling "no one here to cheer with me"  :\\\'(

Thanks for sharing the experience, Matt! I've been wondering what they were like.

How on earth did I miss this thread?? Hey, congrats, Matt!!! Sounds like a nice ceremony - something to look forward to in a couple of years!!!

How about the 31st for a BBQ, so we can raise a glass to England's new citizen!? 

Thanks Anne, that sounds really good, I'll check the 31st.  You guys could come to ours.
I'll give ya a call in the next couple days.

Matt

Congrats, Matt!  And what a neat ceremony.

My hubby took his oath yesterday in Orlando, and it was nowhere near what you've described.  He was the only one, we stayed in the lobby of the Consular office (anyone could have walked in, and in fact they had said he could have one guest but we had both children and a friend there too-she was supposed to watch them it's a long story).  He got his certificate but no gift or anything, no speech beforehand, no tea, no national anthem.  He just took the oath, got his cert and a passport application and that was it.  I'm not telling him about yours, I don't want to disappoint him.

Saf,

not disappointing even if no tea and biscuits - tell your hubby congrats from me!

Michael