Release Date: 28/08/2008
Residents applying for British citizenship will soon be able to take the hassle out of the process thanks to the Council’s new Nationality Checking Service.
From 16 September, the service will operate every Tuesday and Thursday at Richmond Register Office, offering practical support with checking application forms and submitting the correct documents and fees to apply for British citizenship.
The Citizenship Team will also send complete applications directly to the Home Office, enabling applicants to retain important documents such as passports by submitting certified photocopies.
Though the service will not provide a fast track to citizenship, in some cases it may help speed up the application process by minimising requests for further information or documents from the Home Office.
Richmond Council’s Register Office will also provide support to applicants from outside the borough and has already received a number of appointment requests from Hounslow residents among others.
Sir David Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I strongly recommend that residents applying for British citizenship make use of this new invaluable service.
“Until now, people applying for citizenship had to go directly to the Home Office, with the risk of submitting incorrect forms, which could make the application process long and laborious.
“The Council’s Checking Service will help make the process stress-free, allowing applicants to keep the originals of important documents and providing practical support that will help avoid complications and delays.”
The Nationality Checking Service is a partnership initiative between the Home Office and local authorities that allows individuals to make an application for British citizenship in person at local council offices.
Applicants who would like to make use of the checking service should contact the Citizenship Team as soon as possible to discuss application requirements and book an appointment. Service users will incur a small fee to cover administration costs.
To book an appointment with the Nationality Checking Service and for further information please contact the Citizenship Team on 020 8332 2473 or registeroffice@richmond.gov.uk, marking emails as “NCS”.