What is the official "Application date"

[Anonbha]

Hello.
We are applying for the naturalisation of my spouse (I am a naturalised British citizen myself).
Section 2.4 of Form AN:

Qualifying period
2.4 If you are the spouse or civil partner of a British citizen, you must have been in the UK on the date 3 years before making the application. Otherwise, you must have been in the UK on the date 5 years before making the application. To identify the start of the qualifying period you use the day after the application date minus the length of the qualifying period. So for an application made on the 1 September 2022, you must have been in the UK on the 2 September 2019 (spouse of GBR) or 2 September 2017 (others).

We were on holiday between 04 August 2023 to 02 September 2023. As per the criteria we either need to apply before 3rd August or after 3rd September. But what is considered as "Date of making the application"?
Is that the date we make the payment or the date we attend the appointment to give biometrics and have the passport scanned in. I know the 6 months processing timeframe starts from the date of appointment, not sure if that is also considered as the date of application also?

Technically we could wait till September but given the 6 months timeframe we'd really like to have this process complete by Feb 2027 (planning to travel), hence would be nice if we can apply now in July.

[secret.simon]

what is considered as "Date of making the application"?

The day you submit the application online and make the payment.

As your spouse has had ILR since at least 2022 (based on your earlier posts), they can apply now.

[contorted_svy]

You can apply now, until the 3 August. Make sure you attend the biometric application as soon as possible if you have any travel coming up - you can travel after that.

[Anonbha]

Thank you both.
Yes they've had the ILR since 2022 but was abroad to give birth to our second child. She returned to the UK Feb 2023.

Just to confirm it is okay to attend the appointment in August or does that also have before 3rd August or after 3rd September?

This is the last remaining citizen application in our family.
Its an expensive affair! Being able to spread it out certainly helps

[Anonbha]

Sorry one more question for proof of residence the text on the application says:

If you do not have your passport or it was not stamped when you entered the UK, you need to include letters (for example, from your employer or government department) as proof.

Bank statements or household bills are not suitable proof you have been living in the UK.

During the last few trip in 2025, UK border have not been stamping any passports. My spouse does not work so we cannot provider letter or pay slips from an employer.

Not sure what government department letters we can include. Should I try to get a letter from the GP perhaps?