Community directory

Nationality Checking Service for those applying for British Citizenship

The Citizenship Unit of Hertfordshire County Council is pleased to be registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner as a member of the Nationality Checking Service.

This is a partnership between the Home Office Nationality Group and selected England and Wales local Councils and is intended to help those people who are submitting applications for British Citizenship.

Using the Nationality Checking Service will help you in the following ways:

• Your documents will be checked, copied and the copies certified so that you will not need to send original documents with your application. This eliminates any risk of important documents being lost. You will also be able to retain your passport rather than sending it with your application.
• Your application will be checked for accuracy and then sent by secure posting to the Home Office.
• Applications that have been through the Checking Service will arrive at the Home Office containing all the necessary details and will be dealt with more quickly than those that are incomplete.

Please note that you do not need to live in Hertfordshire to use the Hertfordshire Checking Service.

Also please note that information on the requirements to be met before applying for citizenship should be obtained from the Home Office-see the link top right on this page.

Steps in the process:

1. Obtain the correct application form. This can be downloaded from the Home Office: Border and Immigration Agency website which you can access from the link on this page (right hand side) or can be obtained by telephoning the Home Office Application Forms Unit on 0870 241 0645.

2. Follow the instructions and complete the form.

3. Assemble the necessary supporting documents.

4. Contact the Hertfordshire Citizenship Unit for an appointment or for further information. An appointment is essential and people cannot be seen without one. The direct line number is 01707 897396 or an email may be sent to: citizenshipunit@hertscc.gov.uk

5. Attend the appointment and pay the appropriate fee. The Citizenship Unit is based at The Old Court House, St Albans Road East, Hatfield, Herts. AL10 0ES

The costs of the service are:

• Adult submitting a single application - £50
• Husband & Wife living together and applying at the same time - £80
• Children £25 per child.
• Fees are payable at the time of booking by credit or debit card.

During the Appointment

A Citizenship Officer will check the application form against the documents provided. They will then copy all relevant documents and certify them. Originals will be returned to you immediately.

The application form plus the certified copies of all documents will then be sent by secure post to the Home Office.