Exemption from Taking Oath

[fata1970]

Hello,
I am in the process of applying for citizenship. I am a citizen of Australia. My English requirement is waived.

I was reading that an oath is not required from citizen whose countries recognize the Queen as the head of state (the guide was not updated to reflect the King).

So if the above is correct and my application is approved, will the ceremony be waived as well? Or how will it work?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... plications

[alterhase58]

Per the government guidance your understanding is correct.
I expect you will still attend the ceremony and just receive your certificate without oath.
Attendance is a legal requirement but someone else could maybe confirm (otherwise ask the council because they normally receive the certificates) - it would make sense if UKVI just mail it to you.

[secret.simon]

I was reading that an oath is not required from citizen whose countries recognize the Queen as the head of state (the guide was not updated to reflect the King).

That guidance is woefully out of date. The law on that point was changed in 2004. See Section 42 of the British Nationality Act 1981 as enacted (which does have that exemption) and the current version (which does not have that exemption).

You also know that the guidance is out of date because it states that

An oath of allegiance must be administered and signed by one of the following persons:

in England, Wales or Northern Ireland ‑ any justice of the peace, commissioner for oaths or notary public: (Barristers, except in Northern Ireland, and practising solicitors have the powers of commissioners for oaths)

a solicitor who is acting for the applicant in connection with the application is not empowered to administer an oath unless also a notary public

in Scotland ‑ any sheriff principal, sheriff, justice of the peace or notary public (a practising solicitor may also be a notary public)

That has not been the case since 2004 and one must attend the citizenship ceremony as arranged by the local council, not any of the legal authorities mentioned above.

[alterhase58]

@secretsimon Thanks for the clarification, outdated/undated guidance still accessible ....

[fata1970]

Noted. Thanks for the excellent advice. What caught my eye is the date “updated” was September 2023.

Now clear, will plan accordingly

Regards

[fata1970]

I went for my biometric and I got an email immediately after submitting my bio while I was still standing there saying that biometrics have been collected and these are the categories of my submitted documents ....

The status showed unattended.

Yesterday, they posted this on my account: "IMPORTANT: Due to a technical issue, your application status may incorrectly show as 'Unattended'. If you've received an email confirming that your biometrics have been collected and sent, please disregard it. We are working to resolve this issue and appreciate your patience."

I have mixed understanding; what do I disregard? the "unattended message" or the "email confirm"?

Thanks

[alterhase58]

Just a wild guess, maybe it means "no show - didn't attend".
We don't know the internal VFS processes so can't really comment on this.
Clearly an error. They've picked it up.

[contorted_svy]

If there are issues you will be contacted, try to put your mind at ease for now.

[fata1970]

At what point are the referees contacted? is it an indication of early processing or more advanced towards the end of the process?

I am putting my my mind at ease, but sometimes I have to ask

[contorted_svy]

Referees are very rarely contacted. Were your referees contacted?

[fata1970]

No not yet.. Thanks for your reply, good to know this.