Naturalisation application

[aa1730]

Hello new to this forum so apologies if this is not in line with any policy/protocol etc

Have a friend who is going to make an application for naturalisation.

His ILR was granted in 2000 on basis of marriage to British citizen.

However he lost the passport with the ILR sticker in it circa 2001. He reported it and obtained a crime number etc and obtained a new passport.

He still has the original letter from the Home office granting the ILR.

He remains married and has never left the UK ever since he got the ILR and there are no exit/entry stamps in the replacement passport as he has never left.

He has been employed continuously in the UK since 1999.

He now wants to travel abroad etc and so has decided to apply for nationality.

He has been told that he must apply for a BRP via form NTL because his passport does not have the ILR sticker.

Query therefore is it strictly necessary for him make that NTL application prior to making the naturalisation application as he has the original home office letter granting ILR which he can submit together with his current passport.

If not does he need to explain the passport situation regardless in the form AN ?

Also, does he need to provide anything in addition to his passport to confirm residence in previous 3 years - he has letter from his employer stating he has been employed by them continuously since 1999 - would he need to provide anything else e.g. bank statements, utility etc ?

Many thanks for any help in advance as money is tight for him so if he can avoid the fees for the NTL that would be a big help.