Guests at your citizenship ceremony: how many can you bring and what happens
You are usually allowed to bring 2 guests to your citizenship ceremony, but the exact number is set by the local council that runs it, and you must attend within 3 months of receiving your invitation from the Home Office. If you want more guests, most councils offer a private ceremony for an extra fee, typically somewhere between about £126 and £270 depending on the council and the day of the week.
- GOV.UK: you are "usually allowed to take 2 guests" to a group ceremony
- The ceremony itself is included in your naturalisation application fee
- Private ceremonies cost extra and allow more guests (6 to 20, council dependent)
- You must attend within 3 months of your invitation, though the Home Office can allow longer
- You receive your certificate of British citizenship at the ceremony, not before
How many guests can you bring
GOV.UK confirms the national baseline: group ceremonies are organised by local authorities and you are usually allowed to take 2 guests. Because each council sets its own arrangements, the details vary, so always check your own council's page once your invitation arrives.
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Real examples at the time of writing:
- Oxfordshire County Council allows up to two guests at a group ceremony, with no additional charge to attend. If you book a private ceremony (from £133 per adult citizen), you can bring up to six guests.
- Wandsworth Council allows up to two guests at the group ceremony. A private ceremony costs £126 for a single person or £187 for couples and families.
- Tower Hamlets allows two guests at most group ceremonies, but a private ceremony there permits up to 20 guests. Notably, no children under 8 are admitted to either ceremony type.
- Buckinghamshire Council charges £266 for a private ceremony on a weekday, rising to £372 on a Saturday and £423 on a Sunday or bank holiday.
So if you have a large family who all want to attend, the practical route in most areas is a paid private ceremony rather than extra seats at the group event. Some councils cap guests at one for public ceremonies, so never assume two is guaranteed.
Can children come as guests
Usually yes, but rules differ by council. Oxfordshire, for example, welcomes children who are not receiving citizenship themselves as guests, provided they are closely supervised at all times, and they count towards your guest limit. Tower Hamlets, by contrast, does not permit children under 8 into the ceremony at all. If you have young children and no childcare, contact the council's ceremonies team before booking rather than turning up and hoping.
Children who are being granted citizenship alongside you are not guests. They attend as new citizens and receive their own certificates, although children under 18 are not required to take the oath.
What actually happens on the day
A group ceremony typically lasts around 30 to 45 minutes and follows a set pattern:
- Welcome and speech. A short welcome, followed by a speech from a local civic dignitary such as the mayor or a deputy lieutenant.
- Oath or affirmation. You take the oath of allegiance, or an affirmation if you prefer not to swear by God. Both carry identical legal weight.
- The pledge. You promise to respect the rights, freedoms and laws of the United Kingdom.
- Certificate presentation. You are called up individually to receive your certificate of British citizenship and a welcome pack.
- National anthem. Everyone stands to sing God Save the King.
Your citizenship legally completes at the ceremony, which is why the certificate is handed over there and not posted in advance. For what comes next, see our guide to the full journey from ceremony to first passport.
Photography rules vary by council
Most councils have no official photographer, so bring your own camera or phone. At Oxfordshire ceremonies, for example, you can take your own photos with your guests, the civic dignitary and the flags after the formal part ends. Other venues restrict photography during the oath itself, and some historic buildings limit it entirely. If a professional photo matters to you, ask the ceremonies team when you book what is and is not allowed.
The 3-month booking window
Once the Home Office approves your application, you receive an invitation, and you must attend a ceremony within 3 months of receiving it. This deadline comes from the British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003, which require the oath to be taken "within three months of the giving of the notice or such longer time as the Secretary of State may allow". That last phrase matters: the Home Office has discretion to extend the window, but you must ask, with a good reason, rather than simply letting it lapse. If you are waiting for the invitation itself, see how the ceremony invitation arrives and who sends it.
Do not book non-refundable travel or assume you can attend any date you like. Ceremony slots at popular councils fill weeks ahead, and if you miss the 3-month deadline without an agreed extension, your naturalisation can be treated as not completed, forcing you to contact UKVI and potentially delaying your certificate and first British passport.
Book early, confirm your guest numbers with the council, and treat the invitation email as a deadline, not a suggestion.