Introduction
Coronavirus information – Citizenship ceremonies
From December 2020 we received authorisation from the Home Office to conduct Virtual Citizenship ceremonies, which are currently being conducted using Microsoft Teams. The Home Office is dealing with the backlog of Citizenship Certificates in date order and we are only able to schedule Citizenship Ceremonies where we have received the certificate and you have an Invitation Letter from the Home Office to contact us.
For those new citizens in receipt of a Home Office Invitation letter, please phone 01823 282251 (9am to 5pm – Monday to Friday) to arrange a Citizenship Ceremony. Due to the continuing impacts of COVID-19, the Home Office has advised that you still currently have 6 months from your Poll Date to arrange your Citizenship Ceremony date. We will receive notice from the Home Office when this special dispensation will be removed.
We have made additional Citizenship Ceremony spaces available These are virtual bookings only and can take place in a group with up to 4 other new Citizens. Please note – your legal checks and personal data are not shared at any time.
Despite the high volume of requests, our team are still able to offer ceremony dates within the 6-month period required by the Home Office from Poll Date, but you should phone to arrange your ceremony as soon as possible to secure a space.
Please note – we are currently unable to offer private ceremonies. If you are unable to attend a Virtual Citizenship Ceremony – please phone us on 01823 282251 to discuss.
Coronavirus information – Naming and Eternity ceremonies
Naming and Eternity ceremonies can take place in covid-secure venues and are subject to social distancing and other restrictions that apply to weddings and ceremonies. More Information
As well as marriages and civil partnerships, we provide a range of other types of ceremonies.
Citizenship ceremonies, naming ceremonies and eternity ceremonies are wonderful markers of milestone events.
Naming ceremony
Sometimes called a ‘welcome ceremony’, we offer a ceremony to celebrate a child and recognise their place in their family. It’s a non-religious alternative to a christening ceremony, and a great opportunity for friends and family to come together and celebrate the new addition to a family – new babies, extended families with step-children, adopted families, fostered children. The ceremony can be tailored to your needs and can include music and readings.
The ceremony can be held at a register office, one of our approved premises, or a village hall.
Get in touch with our team to check availability and book an appointment to plan your ceremony.
Eternity ceremony
Sometimes called a renewal of vows, we offer a ceremony to reaffirm your marriage or civil partnership vows. This is a formal yet romantic opportunity to reflect on your marriage or civil partnership and look forward to the future in the presence of your family and friends.
The Eternity ceremony is available to any married or civil partnered couple who wish to renew their commitment in a joyful celebration. It has a format similar to a civil ceremony but with no legal status. It can be personalised and totally unique. Each ceremony lasts about 30 minutes, depending on your requirements
The ceremony can be held at a register office, one of our approved premises or a village hall.
Get in touch with our team to check availability and book an appointment to plan your ceremony.
What you need to do
For either ceremony, you must contact your local Register Office to make an appointment.
At the appointment you can check our availability, book the ceremony and run through your specific requirements.
You will need to:
- Decide on your Eternity ceremony date, time and venue
- Check venue availability for your chosen date and time
- You can have the ceremony at one of our Register Offices or an approved premises
Naming and Eternity Ceremony costs
At a Register Office – Monday to Friday
- Taunton, Tudor Hall (100 guests) £350
- Taunton, Vivary Room (Friday only) (40 guests) £200
At a Register Office – Saturday
- Taunton, Tudor Hall (100 guests) £350
- Taunton, Vivary Room (40 guests) £200
- Yeovil, Abbey Manor (40 guests) £200
At approved premises or a village hall ceremonies cost
- £420 Monday to Thursday
- £450 Friday and Saturday
- £500 Sunday
- £600 on a Bank Holiday
Citizenship ceremonies
In January 2004 the Government introduced a requirement that everyone aged 18 years or over, who is accepted for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen, must take a citizenship oath and pledge at a citizenship ceremony. A citizenship ceremony is a memorable and enjoyable event which celebrates the important occasion of gaining citizenship.
A citizenship ceremony involves new citizens making an oath of allegiance to the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom.
After you receive your letter of approval from the Home Office you will be sent a letter from the citizenship ceremonies administrator at Somerset Registration Service confirming the date and time of your ceremony.
You must attend a ceremony within three months of the approval being given, or you may have to make a new application.
A standard group ceremony
Ceremonies are normally held every four to six weeks on a Tuesday at:
Somerset Register Office
The Old Municipal Buildings
Corporation Street
Taunton
TA1 4AQ
Ceremonies take about 30 minutes, although you will be there for about an hour and a half as this includes registration before the ceremony and photo opportunities after the ceremony.
A standard group citizenship ceremony involves:
- a welcome address by a registration officer
- speeches by local dignitaries explaining about what it means to be a British citizen, history of the county, the local community and the ceremony venue
- the taking of a citizenship oath and pledge
- presentation of a certificate and a, information pack
- closing address and the playing of the national anthem
- informal celebration with light refreshments where you or your guests have the opportunity to have your photograph taken
If your children have attained British citizenship with you then they are welcome to attend a ceremony although they do not have to. You can collect their certificate if they do not attend.
Fees
There is no additional fee for a standard group ceremony. Payment for the ceremony was included in the money you have already paid in your application for British citizenship. You will need to pay extra if you choose to have an individual ceremony.
What to bring with you
You need to bring the invitation letter sent to you by the Home Office. If you do not bring your letter you may not be allowed into the ceremony.
Guests
Your friends and family are welcome to attend the ceremony with you. Unfortunately space is limited so we must restrict the numbers of guests to two per family.
Individual citizenship ceremonies
If you have a large number of guests you may like to have an individual citizenship ceremony.
Fees for individual ceremonies
There is an additional charge of £120 for an individual ceremony held in the Somerset Register Office.
Individual ceremonies are subject to staff and accommodation availability, and compliance with the Home Office’s deadline for the ceremony to take place.
Applying for a British passport
Once you have received your citizenship certificate you can apply for a passport.
For more information about how to apply for a passport:
- Use the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) pages on GOV.UK
- Phone the IPS passport advice line on 0300 222 0000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, weekends and public holidays 9am to 5.30pm)