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I have a query regarding referees for children. The guidance states that “For child applicants, at least one of the referees must be a person who has dealt with the child in a professional role, such as a teacher, doctor, health visitor or social worker.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... 2#referees

My children are in school, but their class teacher changes every year and I am unsure whether the teachers would be willing to sign as referees and share their personal details.

In practice, how do people handle this situation? Has anyone had experience with this?

You can use another person who knows the children. This is asked about regularly.
There's a common issue with many teachers and NHS staff not wanting to share their personal details.
UKVI are aware of this and will accept a referee not fitting that description but who otherwise qualifies to act as a referee.
Attach a note explaining, include any correspondence you may have had about this and load with your other documents.

The link you quoted also says this:
"Where a child cannot provide a referee who has dealt with them in a professional capacity and has provided documents to show that they have attempted to do so, you can accept 2 referees who meet the criteria for referees on adult applications."

Does the referee for a child need to personally know the child for at least three years? Is this three-year requirement applicable to child applicants as well, or only to adult applicants?

SS_SS wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 04, 2025 9:39 am

Does the referee for a child need to personally know the child for at least three years? Is this three-year requirement applicable to child applicants as well, or only to adult applicants?

The three years rules applies to children as well, unless the child is less than three years old of course.

My child’s class teacher changes every year, so I don’t understand how a teacher can truly get to know a child over a three-year period. It doesn’t make sense to me, and I’m sure my situation isn’t unique. This also means I’ll never be able to have a class teacher act as a referee for my child. Am I missing something?

Ask a teacher that has known your child for 3 years, doesn't matter if they weren't their teacher for 3 consecutive years.

We’re in the process of preparing UK naturalisation applications for myself, my wife, and our children. Could anyone please help confirm the following?

1. Colour copies of all pages of the passport – Should this include only the current passport, or do I also need to include old passports?

2. Proof of parental responsibility – What documents are generally accepted for this? Would a birth certificate be sufficient, or is something else required?

3. Evidence of settled status – Should I upload a copy of the old BRP card or is it better to provide share codes instead?

4. Letter of consent from parent(s) – Is there a specific template or format for this letter that should be followed?

5. Proof of living in the UK for 5 years – What kind of documents are normally accepted as evidence of continuous residence (e.g. council tax bills, utility bills, GP letters, school records, etc.)?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

SS_SS wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 11, 2025 1:15 am

We’re in the process of preparing UK naturalisation applications for myself, my wife, and our children. Could anyone please help confirm the following?

1. Colour copies of all pages of the passport – Should this include only the current passport, or do I also need to include old passports? All passports that cover the qualifying period. Passport copies must be B&W I believe.

2. Proof of parental responsibility – What documents are generally accepted for this? Would a birth certificate be sufficient, or is something else required? Full birth certificate

3. Evidence of settled status – Should I upload a copy of the old BRP card or is it better to provide share codes instead? Do both

4. Letter of consent from parent(s) – Is there a specific template or format for this letter that should be followed? see below

5. Proof of living in the UK for 5 years – What kind of documents are normally accepted as evidence of continuous residence (e.g. council tax bills, utility bills, GP letters, school records, etc.)? If your passport used to be stamped that will be enough

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Father’s consent:
I (name of father) consent
to this application for the registration of
(name of child) as a British citizen.
signed:
Mother’s consent:
I (name of mother) consent
to this application for the registration of
(name of child) as a British citizen.
signed:
If only one parent has signed, say why the other parent has not signed and provide
supporting documents (see ‘Consent to the application’ section of the Nationality forms guide https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... orms-guide):

Hello everyone,

I’m in the process of applying for British Citizenship (Naturalisation) for myself, my wife, and our children under the standard 5-year route. We have completed just over 2 years on ILR, and I would like to confirm if the list of documents below is sufficient or if anything additional is recommended.

My Application:

* Colour-scanned copies of all pages of current and old passports
* Two referee declarations
* English Language Proficiency Statement by NARIC
* Degree certificate and Academic Qualification Level Statement by NARIC
* Evidence of settled status (Share Code + old BRP)
* Life in the UK Test URN email
* Marriage certificate

My Wife’s Application:

* Colour-scanned copies of all pages of current and old passports
* Two referee declarations
* Proof of English Language (B1 ECR)
* Evidence of settled status (Share Code + old BRP)
* Life in the UK Test URN email
* Marriage certificate

Children’s Applications (ages 7–14):

* Colour-scanned copies of all pages of current and old passports
* Parents’ settled status (both BRPs + Share Codes)
* Letter of consent signed by both parents
* Two referee declarations
* Birth certificate
* Marriage certificate
* School and NHS letters confirming the child’s name, date of birth, and registration
* Immigration status (Share Code + old BRP)

Could the experts here please advise if these documents are complete for each application type, or if there’s anything else that I should include (for example, proofs of residence or additional originals)?

Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time and help.

Kind regards,

Seems OK, but can you elaborate on your wife's test? When was it taken and did she use it for a visa/ILR application?

My wife took the Life in the UK Test in 2023 as part of her ILR application. Will that still be valid?

LIUK test doesn't expire. She can use it.

In one of the responses (viewtopic.php?t=358238#p2201684) in this forum, the respondent mentioned that passport copies should be in black and white. However, the checklist clearly states: “Colour copies of all pages of the passport or travel document.” I’m a bit confused — did I misunderstand something? Could you please confirm whether I should submit colour copies of the passport?

Documents must be below a certain size. I uploaded mine in black and white. My above question was about the English test your wife took - did she use it for a visa or ILR application?

She took the Entry Level Certificate in ESOL International Speaking and Listening test by Trinity College London as part of her ILR application.

She can reuse it then.