Citizenship ceremonies

Changes to registration services

To keep customers and staff safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and to use our limited resources in the best way possible we have made changes to our registration services. Our current priority is arranging and providing death registrations, birth registrations and responding to enquiries about ceremonies that have already been booked with our registrars.

Ceremonies

We are experiencing an unprecedented number of enquiries. We completely understand, but ask that customers remain patient. Please be assured we will respond to enquiries as soon as we can, but there will inevitably be a delay. To postpone or rearrange a ceremony already booked with the registration team please email: chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

We are not currently taking bookings for any ceremonies.

European Settlement Scheme service

We are not offering European Settlement Scheme verification service at this current time. We will continue to review our service provision on an ongoing basis. Regular updates will be provided on our webpages.

A citizenship ceremony is the final step in becoming a British citizen.

We choose historic and spectacular venues for our ceremonies, providing the perfect place for new citizens to celebrate the occasion with their family and friends.

If you have not already applied for British Citizenship you can apply online.

Apply for Citizenship

Booking a ceremony

Contact Chester Register Office.

Types of ceremonies

Group citizenship ceremony

No additional payment needs to be made to have a group citizenship ceremony. The cost of the group ceremony is included in the fee paid to the Home Office when applying for citizenship.

Fees for 1 April 2020 - 31 March 2021

Private citizenship fees

If you are not able to attend a group ceremony and a private ceremony needs to be arranged, the following fees will apply.

• £44 for the first applicant
• £21.50 for each additional applicant within the same family

What happens at a ceremony

The ceremony begins with a welcoming speech. You will then be invited to swear an oath or make an affirmation of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen. 

You will also make a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom before being presented with your citizenship certificate and a gift from a representative of The Queen.