Citizenship

Hi all,

I am looking into applying for UK citizenship for myself and my 17-year-old daughter.
We have ILR.

I'd like some opinions and advice, please.
In my research, I found that you can use a service to help with the application process.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-citizenship-spouse/how-to-apply

Apply through an agent or representative
An agent or representative is a private company or individual that can help you with your application and give you advice.

We used this for ILR and found it very helpful.
But, at that time, we were submitting a lot of paperwork.

Any experience or advice here?

Thank you.

I personally wouldn’t bother and I’ve just submitted the application and had the appointment. It was straight forward and only needed about 6 or 7 documents. That being said, I didn’t have a child to sort, only myself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks xoKissofDeath.

Sorry, I have another question that I fear complicates things.

My passport is in my previous last name. (Husband number 1's surname)
So I have had 3 surnames: maiden name (A), married name 1 (B), married name 2, current surname (C)

In previewing the application, I saw that it asks all names that I am known by.
Being that my passport and ILR documents are in surname B, I am applying for citizenship in that name.
I assume I am adding my maiden name as well.

Am I also adding my current surname, (C)?
My US drivers license and UK bank cards are in current surname (C).

I know it's a bit tricky, but I want to do this right.
Thank you.

Thanks xoKissofDeath.

Sorry, I have another question that I fear complicates things.

My passport is in my previous last name. (Husband number 1's surname)
So I have had 3 surnames: maiden name (A), married name 1 (B), married name 2, current surname (C)

In previewing the application, I saw that it asks all names that I am known by.
Being that my passport and ILR documents are in surname B, I am applying for citizenship in that name.
I assume I am adding my maiden name as well.

Am I also adding my current surname, (C)?
My US drivers license and UK bank cards are in current surname (C).

I know it's a bit tricky, but I want to do this right.
Thank you.

You need to submit the application in whatever name is used on your visa documents (so if that's Surname B, that will be the surname you use) and then you can just list all other names known by as Surname A (with explanation that it's your maiden name) and Surname C (with the explanation that it's your new married name). Hope that makes sense.

For example, my Maiden name is the name my visa and current US passport is under. I submitted my application under my maiden name but pretty much EVERYTHING here in the UK is under my married name. I also have my work under my "NICKNAME + MARRIED NAME" So I listed the application as Full name + Surname (as per my visa and US passport). Then I listed other names as "Full name + Married Name" (explaining this is due to marriage) and "Nick Name + Married Name" (explaining that my work HR department has things under my nickname for some reason and it was too complicated to change at the time).

Hope that helps?

Yes, that does help.
Thank you!

No worries - good luck!

I have a couple more questions.

Is it necessary to fill this out:

Other information
Do you have any other details that you would like to be considered regarding this applicant and their application to be registered as a British Citizen?

For example, I have volunteered on top of holding a full time job for the past few years. Is that relevant?

And, as for the second referee, I am unsure of who I should ask as it says:

Your second referee
Give your second referee's details. This referee should be a person (of any nationality) who has professional standing. This can include a minister of religion, civil servant or a member of a professional body such as an accountant or solicitor (who is not representing you with this application).

I have a friend that is a police officer here in the UK. Should I ask him?
Thanks.

I have a couple more questions.

Is it necessary to fill this out:
For example, I have volunteered on top of holding a full time job for the past few years. Is that relevant?

I honestly didn't include anything else there as I assumed it was like on the other spousal visas where they just want to know if there's anything else you need them to consider that could effectively make/break your application (if that makes sense). I could be wrong, but that's just how I interpreted it.

And, as for the second referee, I am unsure of who I should ask as it says:
I have a friend that is a police officer here in the UK. Should I ask him?
Thanks.

Your friend who's a cop would be considered a civil servant. How long have you known your friend?

Five years or so?

Do these people have to show up to interviews or ceremonies?

Five years or so?

Do these people have to show up to interviews or ceremonies?

Not sure if the time requirement applies for the professional referee but even if it does, 5 years or so should be fine (but it might not apply at all so might be irrelevant - it wasn't quite clear as I found conflicting information when going through the process). Either way, you're fine with the cop I believe.

They don't have to show up to anything. They might be contacted by the home office in regards to confirm that they do know you and did sign the forms, etc. but I've had one person I know say they don't believe their referees were contacted and another who said their referees were contacted but it was literally just a "just to confirm, did you agree to be so-and-so's referee?" type deal so nothing major. You do need to give them the heads up as you do need loads of their info (like passport info, previous address for the last 5 years, etc.) and they need to sign a declaration for you/sign your passport photo with your name/DOB so it can't be a person you just list without their knowledge.

Hope that helps.

For both your "regular" and your professional referee, you must have known them for 3+ years.  Your cop friend does qualify as a professional referee as long as he's not related to you or your other referee, so you should be all set.  Congratulations on getting to this final hurdle!  This one's the easiest. 

For both your "regular" and your professional referee, you must have known them for 3+ years.

I thought as much but wasn't sure if it was only for your "regular one" and not your professional one but I made sure to follow the time rule for both just to be safe haha

I thought as much but wasn't sure if it was only for your "regular one" and not your professional one but I made sure to follow the time rule for both just to be safe haha

I had a difficult time finding a professional referee (I mean, I had one in the bag because our good friend is a license holder and runs our old local pub, but then he was incommunicado just when we needed him), and during my scramble, I became very good at reciting the requirements to my husband while we brainstormed who could take his place if we didn't get a reply in time.  I had plenty ready and able in the US, but I was worried about turnaround time getting the form back to me in time for my (now discontinued) JCAP appointment.

Thanks guys!

I have another question, please.

When coming to the end of my application, it lists all documents to send.
I am puzzled about "Referees statements."

Am I supposed to ask them to write a statement?