British Citizenship by Marriage
Call us on 0207 100 2525 for immediate help & assistance with your situation.
We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.
Eligibility Requirements for British Nationality by Marriage
- You may apply for British citizenship by marriage if you meet the following updated eligibility criteria:
- Married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen holding a UK passport
- Aged 18 or over at the date of application
- Hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), EU Settled Status, or EEA Permanent Residence
- Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years of continuous residence
- Meet the Good Character requirement, with no serious criminal convictions or immigration breaches
- Have passed the Life in the UK Test
- Meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B1 (unless exempt)
- Comply with absence limits and UK immigration laws
How to Apply for British Citizenship by Marriage?
You can become a British citizen in a number of ways, such as by birth, descent, marriage, or naturalization after getting Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Each route has its own rules from the Home Office about who can use it, where they can live, and what paperwork they need.
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply for British citizenship by marriage through the spouse naturalisation route, as long as you meet the Home Office’s nationality requirements for 2026. These include having a legal residence, a valid ILR or EU Settled Status, not going over the allowed absence limits, passing the Life in the UK Test, meeting the English language requirement, and passing the Good Character test.
Professional legal advice is highly recommended because checks will be stricter and more thorough in 2026. Adam Bernard’s British citizenship solicitors in London offer expert advice, make sure applications are correct, compliant, and fully supported, and help reduce delays or refusals, giving you the best chance of a successful outcome.
0207 100 2525
Consultation Now
Zoom | Teams | Whatsapp | Skype
Residency Requirements to Apply for British Citizenship
If you want to become a British citizen as the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you must meet strict residency and immigration requirements set by the Home Office.
- You must have lived in the UK for at least three years without breaking the law, and you must have proof of this, such as visas, passports, tenancy agreements, or job records.
- You must have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Indefinite Leave to Enter, or EU Settled Status when you apply.
- In the last three years, you must not have been away from the UK for more than 270 days.
- You can’t have been outside the UK for more than 90 days in the last 12 months before you apply.
- You must have followed UK immigration laws and have a good character, which means you can’t have any serious criminal records.
Experienced British citizenship solicitors in London, including specialist immigration lawyers in Central London, Greater London, and surrounding boroughs, can provide tailored advice to ensure your residence history and absences meet the latest Home Office nationality rules, helping to reduce delays or refusals.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Good Character Requirement to Apply for British Citizenship
The ‘Good Character’ requirement is an essential component of a British citizenship application. You will need to meet this requirement in order to be eligible for the application process.
Under this requirement, your previous record must not contain:
- Any immigration offences on your previous record during the last 10 years
- Any illegal immigration entry into the UK
- Any custodial sentence which had a duration of more than 4 years
- Any recent or severe criminal record, including offences committed inside and outside the UK
- Any term of imprisonment that lasted at least 1 years up to a maximum of 4 years, unless you served this term more than 15 years prior to the date of application
You must also demonstrate that you abide by the British law and have not committed any other legal violations or immigration breaches since the date of your entry into the UK. British citizenship solicitors London can review your record and advise you on whether any previous records can cause a problem for your application.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Application Process for British Citizenship by Marriage
To apply for citizenship UK as the spouse of a UK national, you are required to fill out Form AN, also known as Application for Naturalisation as a British Citizen.
This is a long application form comprising 30 pages. You are required to fill in your travel details, residency information, identification data, and more. You must have already passed the Life in the UK Test, met the English language requirements, and have the relevant documentation before you fill out the form.
Once your form is complete, you send it to the Home Office which begins the application process.
It is highly recommended that you consult a British nationality solicitor before filling the form. A qualified solicitor will help you avoid any errors, ensure that your application is complete, and improve your chances of success.
Fees and Processing Time
The basic fee to apply for British citizenship as the spouse of a UK national is £1,580. However, you may need to consider other smaller fees as a part of the application process.
For instance, if your documents are not in English or Welsh, you may require professional translation services to have them translated for a fee. You will also need to take an English test if you don’t already have certification to prove that you meet English language requirements.
You will be required to have your biometric details collected at a designated centre.
The Home Office takes up to 6 months to process your application. The actual duration may vary based on whether or not your application is complete and accurate. If the application has errors or the documents are not complete, it may take UKVI longer to process it.
Any changes in your relationship status can also impact the processing time and outcome of your application. For instance, if your relationship breaks down and you divorce your spouse, this can directly affect the application’s outcome. You must get in touch with the UKVI at the earliest in the wake of any such developments.
The right British nationality solicitor will advise you on how best to ensure a speedy processing of your application. Your solicitor will also guide you on whether you have any fast-track options when you apply for British citizenship.
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
British Citizenship Ceremony
Once your citizenship application is approved, you must send your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to the Home Office within five days. So it is best to have your BRP ready and at hand as you await the outcome of your application.
After your application is successful, the Home Office will send you an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony. Attending the ceremony is mandatory for applicants who are aged 18 or above. You must respond to the invitation within 3 months and book your space at a designated ceremony. If you are not sure how to go about it, British citizenship solicitors London can help you.
The ceremony is typically organised by your local council. You have to pay a fee of £80 to attend the event which is typically a group ceremony with other invitees as well. As one of the invitees, you are allowed to take a maximum of two guests with you to the ceremony.
You also have the option of having a private ceremony organised exclusively for you. However, this option costs significantly more.
What to Do if Your British Citizenship by Marriage Application Is Refused
It can be stressful if your application for British citizenship by marriage is turned down, but you can do something about it with the help of a lawyer. Adam Bernard – British citizenship solicitors in London specialize in helping clients deal with refusals and giving them the best chance of success on the next step.
Here’s how we can help:
-
Case review: We thoroughly assess the Home Office refusal notice to understand the exact reason your application was declined.
-
Request to reconsider: If you believe the refusal was made in error, we can prepare a Request to Reconsider application, providing strong legal arguments and supporting evidence.
-
Fresh application guidance: We help you prepare a new, fully supported application, ensuring all residency, Good Character, and document requirements are properly met.
-
Reducing future risk: Our specialist solicitors in London advise on addressing gaps, absences, or issues flagged in your previous application, increasing the likelihood of approval.
With Adam Bernard’s experienced British citizenship lawyers, you get personalised advice, step-by-step guidance, and strong representation to turn your refusal into a successful naturalisation outcome.
Why Choose Adam Bernard
- Immigration lawyers with years of experience helping people apply for British citizenship
- Knowledge of the Home Office rules and nationality requirements for 2026 that are up to date
- Naturalization and spouse-route applications have a high success rate.
- Personalized help to avoid mistakes and delays
- Service that is clear and focused on the client at all times
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors
- Specialist British citizenship and immigration lawyers in London
- Expert guidance on naturalisation, spouse route, and ILR applications
- Up-to-date with 2026 Home Office rules
- High success rate with complex cases
- Client-focused, personalised support
- Efficient handling to reduce delays and refusals
- Trusted legal advice across the UK and worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, are at least 18 years old, have ILR, EU Settled Status, or EEA Permanent Residence, have lived in the UK for at least three years, pass the Life in the UK Test, and meet the Good Character and English language requirements, you can apply.
You must complete Form AN (Application for Naturalisation), provide proof of residence, identity, language ability, Life in the UK Test, and Good Character. Applications are submitted online, and you must book a biometrics appointment at a UKVCAS centre.
You must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years, not be absent for more than 270 days in total, and not over 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months. You must hold ILR, Indefinite Leave to Enter, or EU Settled Status.
You must have no serious criminal convictions, no breaches of immigration law, no custodial sentences over 4 years, and no severe offences abroad. Minor issues may be considered if rehabilitation or community contribution is proven.
Typically, the Home Office processes applications within 6 months, but complex cases or incomplete applications may take longer. Timely and correct documentation is essential to avoid delays.
A refusal can be challenged by filing a Request to Reconsider or submitting a fresh application. Adam Bernard solicitors in London can review your case, address issues, and guide you through next steps to improve approval chances.
A solicitor makes sure your application is correct, complete, and follows the 2026 Home Office rules. They also help you avoid mistakes, deal with complicated residency or Good Character issues, and raise your chances of getting approved.
