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I think I know the answer, saw it here somewhere but can't find it now.

After a visa journey of around 9 years, my partner had her Naturalisation approved last week, Ceremony still pending, we were box wondering when she actually becomes British? Is it on approval or at the Ceremony itself?

I thought it was at the ceremony but reading the approval letter it does say naturalisation is approved so logically it must be from the date of that letter?

You are only British once you have attended the ceremony, pledged or said oat etc and received your certificate, which will be dated for that day.

Congratulations!

Now I'm not so sure, a lot of the Council web pages for the Citizenship Ceremony say this...

All new citizens must attend a citizenship ceremony after being granted citizenship and within 90 days of being invited to attend a ceremony. This is the final stage of becoming a British Citizen.

Confusing, as with most UKVI information. You don't acquire British Citizenship until you have attended the Citizenship ceremony, take the oath and receive your certificate.

The council is wrong. It should read:
...after being granted permission to become a citizen...
OR ...after being invited to become a citizen...

I thought the actual point you become British is the moment you finish saying the oath or affirmation. I don't think you have to attend a ceremony as such but only certain people are allowed to administer the oath so the ceremony itself is more of a convenience than anything. From what I understand the certificate is just proof that you did indeed attend a ceremony and say the oath but is not required for you to become British.

If you fail to attend a ceremony (within the allotted time) you will not be granted BC. The crucial wording is ' This is the final stage of becoming a British Citizen.'

See the guidance on page 54.

It seems you have to attend a ceremony (exactly what that is doesn't seem to be defined). You have to take the oath/affirmation and pledge of allegiance, the registrar must date the certificate and must, within 14 days, notify the HO you attended.

EDIT:
It's on page 66, 6.13.5:

Section 42B(1) of the 1981 Act, as amended, explains that a person 67 registered as a British citizen becomes such a citizen:
a. immediately on making the required oath and pledge; or
b. where the oath/pledge requirement is waived, the date on which he or she is registered

Section 42B(2) of the 1981 Act, as amended, explains that a person to whom a certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen is granted becomes such a citizen:
a. immediately on making the required oath and pledge; or
b. where the oath/pledge requirement is waived, the date on which the certificate is granted

I wonder what the rule was before the Ceremonies were introduced in what, 2004?

Wanderer wrote:I wonder what the rule was before the Ceremonies were introduced in what, 2004?

See the same guidance, previous section. It was similar but if you were a citizen of a country that had the queen as head of state you didn't have to take the oath.