Citizenship Ceremonies commenced nationwide in January 2004. The first ceremony in Surrey was held at County Hall in Kingston on April 19 2004.

Every citizen (aged over 18) who applies for citizenship, after approval by the Home Office, must attend a Citizenship Ceremony in order to achieve citizenship status. If they do not attend within three months of approval, they need to start their application process again.

The ceremony is the final step to becoming a British Citizen. It is a way of formally welcoming people into their community, as well as welcoming them as a new British Citizens.

We ask each new citizen to make promises and say an oath to the Sovereign, that they will be a faithful Citizen. They must also make a formal and public pledge, that they will be a loyal subject and observe the laws of this country.

We hold a ceremony once a week at County Hall, Kingston each week and the ceremony is conducted by a Superintendent Registrar from Surrey. We also have a local dignitary who says a few words on behalf of Surrey County Council.

New citizens can also choose to have an individual ceremony, which would be held at the citizenship office in Weybridge or at Guildford register office or Leatherhead register office, for an additional charge.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a British Citizen must have lived in Britain for five years (three years if you are married to a British national), and apply to the Home Office in Liverpool. Once they have then been approved they will be invited to contact their local authority to arrange a ceremony.

We offer a limited Nationality checking service for anyone applying for British Citizenship.

There is more information on the Home Office's British Citizenship website.

To arrange a Citizenship Ceremony within Surrey

Please contact the Citizenship Officer, quoting your Home Office reference number.

• By phone: 01932 794678
• By email: citizenship@surreycc.gov.uk
• By post: Citizenship Office, 81 Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9LN

Please note. We are unable to see personal callers at the office without a prior appointment.