Trying to figure out citizenship

I live in Wales (where people lean toward gregarious), but booked my ceremony in Bristol so my elderly grandparents-in-law could attend (they generously offered to pay my application fee).  I expected my ceremony to be more along the lines of what you described, but I think the various councils go out of their way to find super happy people to perform these things.  I worry you won't have the austere experience you're hoping for.  But it, too, shall pass. 

Yet another example of the hostile environment!

Referee declaration question: Do they need to sign the passport photo or just the form?

Should I have them sign extra passport photos, so I'm ready to apply for the passport?

Think I'll be able to do a documents check next week, but I'll save that heart attack for then.

Yes, they need to sign the passport photo too.

I don't think you actually need referees for the actual passport application but - KF/JFK can you advise?

I did a private ceremony, and my council worker was so enthused.  The part where we all had to sing God Save the Queen to the accompaniment of an agonizingly-slow recording played through an inadequate 80's style "boombox" was a bit sad, but the rest was good fun.  Far more festive than I expected it to be.

Please tell me it's not mandatory to sing this. This is my nightmare.

Yes, they need to sign the passport photo too.

I don't think you actually need referees for the actual passport application but - KF/JFK can you advise?

The referees declarations are for the citizenship application, not the passport application.  I did JCAP, so both applications were submitted together, so I can't be 100% certain, but I do remember the passport application itself being very short and to the point.

Please tell me it's not mandatory to sing this. This is my nightmare.

The woman conducting my ceremony handed out sheets with the words on them, and we all stood around kind of mumbling our way through it.  She sang with something verging on gusto.  I mean, some of us tried to sing along, but the recording was awkwardly slow, and we couldn't hear it very well, so we were all done and it was still playing.

The referees declarations are for the citizenship application, not the passport application.  I did JCAP, so both applications were submitted together, so I can't be 100% certain, but I do remember the passport application itself being very short and to the point.

The woman conducting my ceremony handed out sheets with the words on them, and we all stood around kind of mumbling our way through it.  She sang with something verging on gusto.  I mean, some of us tried to sing along, but the recording was awkwardly slow, and we couldn't hear it very well, so we were all done and it was still playing.

I'd be like...oh no thank you..

Sounds optimistic, but it would be nice if it were that fast. I'm considering a private ceremony just so I can avoid the whole faff. I'll cynically agree to pretend to care, recite whatever, and get it done in five minutes so the bored council worker and I can move on with our lives. This is worth any price!

Mr L attended a group ceremony. It was just lovely.   

From your perspective, I think it might be a little more awkward to be by yourself but maybe just try to enjoy it?  I know you think of British citizenship as purely a means to an end but it really is a big deal. 

Mr L attended a group ceremony. It was just lovely.   

From your perspective, I think it might be a little more awkward to be by yourself but maybe just try to enjoy it?  I know you think of British citizenship as purely a means to an end but it really is a big deal. 

My private ceremony was lovely, too, apart from the God Save the Queen part.  I'm kind of sad that I wasn't in a group for that bit, because with enough voices, it could've been moving.

And, I agree... citizenship was a thing I didn't know I wanted until I got it.  It really is a big deal.

Mr L attended a group ceremony. It was just lovely.   

From your perspective, I think it might be a little more awkward to be by yourself but maybe just try to enjoy it?  I know you think of British citizenship as purely a means to an end but it really is a big deal. 

My friend downplayed the important of her citizenship as well I was like " AHH SHUT UP STOP! It's a big deal!! Be excited!! Be proud!!"

We simply listened to God Save the Queen at my ceremony.   

But yes, for me it was a big deal.  Such a relief that NO MATTER WHAT, my husband and our children can live somewhere together without any government involvement. 

Mr L attended a group ceremony. It was just lovely.   

From your perspective, I think it might be a little more awkward to be by yourself but maybe just try to enjoy it?  I know you think of British citizenship as purely a means to an end but it really is a big deal. 

It's more complicated than that. Performativity substituting for meaningful substance is admittedly just not my bag -- whether with regards to events or allyship or interpersonal dynamics or etc etc. But it's particularly hollow here, where my 'achievement' is holding enough, multifactorial privilege to be able to outlast the requirements of a bigoted, oppressive structure. While I can imagine, perhaps, one day being persuaded to attend one of my graduations (all that time wasted when you could be reading or napping or snacking or going for a walk!), I can't separate the political from the personal here. At the very heart of a citizenship ceremony is the creation (celebration) of division, 'you' -- worthy, achieving -- versus 'them': the undocumented, the not-citizens, the only-residents. I cannot find joy in the complicity and, yet, to deny myself security would be equally injurious, so my relationship with all citizenships remains complicated.

Yes, they need to sign the passport photo too.

Brill, cheers. You only need one photo countersignatory for the passport, it seems, so I'm just going to have my mate do that at the same time. Unless the pictures I take after the gym today are terrible. In which case, we'll wait for take two.

Brill, cheers. You only need one photo countersignatory for the passport, it seems, so I'm just going to have my mate do that at the same time. Unless the pictures I take after the gym today are terrible. In which case, we'll wait for take two.

Literally I do not photograph well so I couldn't even be bothered haha my photos are HORRIFIC and I was just like "whaaaaaaatever! I'll only have to see it on holidays!". My levels of non-f*ckery given has become astounding.

My levels of non-f*ckery given has become astounding.

I truly think if I've put a bra on it's equivalent to the way Kim K. gets dolled up for every photo opportunity.

I truly think if I've put a bra on it's equivalent to the way Kim K. gets dolled up for every photo opportunity.

I even put a little bit of makeup on for mine but I ended up just looking like an absolute idiot because I'm rubbish at makeup! haha I just wanted to use a booth so I could at least see the photo being taken but I ended up having to go to Tesco photo centre which is when I just thought "F*CK IT! WE'LL USE THE FIRST TAKE!"

It's more complicated than that. Performativity substituting for meaningful substance is admittedly just not my bag -- whether with regards to events or allyship or interpersonal dynamics or etc etc. But it's particularly hollow here, where my 'achievement' is holding enough, multifactorial privilege to be able to outlast the requirements of a bigoted, oppressive structure. While I can imagine, perhaps, one day being persuaded to attend one of my graduations (all that time wasted when you could be reading or napping or snacking or going for a walk!), I can't separate the political from the personal here. At the very heart of a citizenship ceremony is the creation (celebration) of division, 'you' -- worthy, achieving -- versus 'them': the undocumented, the not-citizens, the only-residents. I cannot find joy in the complicity and, yet, to deny myself security would be equally injurious, so my relationship with all citizenships remains complicated.

Your perogative. 

I even put a little bit of makeup on for mine but I ended up just looking like an absolute idiot because I'm rubbish at makeup! haha I just wanted to use a booth so I could at least see the photo being taken but I ended up having to go to Tesco photo centre which is when I just thought "F*CK IT! WE'LL USE THE FIRST TAKE!"

And can we talk about how I recently purchased a wireless bra thinking it would be life changing and it's the most uncomfortable thing IN THE WORLD?!?!?  I mean, - WHY??  Just why?!?!???