Eligibility quiz
Are you married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
British passport
British citizens can apply for a British passport and normally use it to return to the UK.
British citizens travelling to the UK must carry a valid British passport or a certificate showing their right to live there.
A passport can expire and must be renewed, even though citizenship does not expire.
Live in the UK for life
British citizens have the right to live in the UK indefinitely and enter without a visa or travel permission.
Moving abroad does not by itself end citizenship.
Live and work in 5 countries
Study in the UK
British citizens can study in the UK without immigration restrictions.
Admission, fees and funding follow the usual education rules.
Work in the UK
British citizens can work in the UK without a work permit or immigration conditions.
Get help abroad
British citizens can receive help from UK officials abroad, even if they do not normally live in the UK.
If you are in a country of your other citizenship, the UK would not normally intervene in your dealings with its authorities.
Vote in elections
British citizens can register to vote, with rules depending on their age, residence and the election.
In a UK general election, voters must be 18, registered, not legally barred and either live in the UK or be registered to vote from abroad.
British citizens who previously lived in the UK can register from abroad.
Use public healthcare
British citizens can use NHS services, but citizenship alone does not make every treatment free.
Rules differ across the UK, and many services depend on where you normally live.
People who live permanently abroad may not keep free UK treatment.
Claim financial support
British citizens can claim benefits without immigration restrictions, but each benefit has its own residence, income, contribution and other rules.
Many income-related benefits cannot be claimed abroad for more than four weeks.
How to apply
Applying in the UKApplying in the UK
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your application.
See required documentsFill in your application
Create an account and complete the online British citizenship application. Pay the application and ceremony fees as part of the application.
Start your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I start an online British citizenship naturalisation application as the spouse of a British citizen in the UK?”
Submit your application
Submit your completed application online. You can also apply by post using the paper Form AN.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an online British citizenship naturalisation application as the spouse of a British citizen in the UK?”
Book your appointment
When prompted, create a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services account and book an appointment online.
Book your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment for British citizenship in the UK?”
Upload your documents
Upload your supporting documents through your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services account, or arrange to have them scanned at your appointment.
Upload your documentsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I upload documents to UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services for British citizenship in the UK?”
Attend your appointment
Bring your appointment QR-code confirmation, passport or travel document, and any documents you have not uploaded to your UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment. Give your fingerprints and have your photograph taken there.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services appointment for British citizenship in the UK?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the Home Office to decide your application. Answer any questions and send any further documents it asks for.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track a British citizenship naturalisation application in the UK?”
Book your ceremony
Once your application is approved, wait for your citizenship ceremony invitation and book a ceremony with your local authority. Attend within three months.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a British citizenship ceremony with the local authority in your city in the UK?”
Attend your ceremony
Bring your invitation, make the oath or affirmation and pledge, and collect your citizenship certificate. You can then apply for a British passport.
Find ceremony informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a British citizenship ceremony in the UK?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership certificate
Provide your marriage certificate or formal civil partnership certificate. An unmarried relationship on its own does not qualify for this route.
Spouse's citizenship records
Provide your spouse or civil partner's current British passport, or their certificate of British naturalisation or registration. It must show that they are a British citizen.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Overseas voter registration
To keep voting from abroad, British citizens must renew their voter registration every three years.
Citizenship can be lost
An adult of sound mind can give up citizenship with another nationality or a promise of one.
If the promised nationality is not gained within six months, British citizenship is kept.
The government can take citizenship away for fraud, lies or hiding important facts, or for the public good if it leaves you with a nationality.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Spouse Visa Journey - UK 🇬🇧
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and visas
Request to joinEU Settlement Scheme And UK Citizenship
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and visas
Request to joinUK Spouse Visa Help FLR ILR Naturalisation
English Facebook group for people interested in British citizenship and visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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