Waiting times
This page tells you how quickly we aim to process new applications for British citizenship and other forms of British nationality.
Since proposed changes to the route to British citizenship (earned citizenship) were announced, we have been receiving significantly more applications than usual. You should think very carefully before applying if you require your passport within the next three months. You will not need to send your original documents if you make your application through the nationality checking service - for details of local councils that offer the service, see the page about the Nationality Checking Service or contact the Nationality contact centre.
All applications for citizenship are subject to enquiries to ensure that the statutory requirements have been satisfied. These enquires can take some time to complete. The additional applications will result in slightly longer waiting times, and we anticipate that applications made since January 2009 may take up to six months to complete. However, this is only an average waiting time - some applications may be dealt with more quickly and some may take longer, depending on the nature of the enquiries to be carried out.
Our service standards set out how quickly we aim to decide applications for British citizenship. The standard is that we will decide 95% of applications within six months.
If you have sent applications or documents to us by recorded or special delivery, you can confirm receipt by visiting the Royal Mail website.