You will be booked on the next available ceremony. Our aim is for you to attend a ceremony within one month of contacting us.

The Home Office will normally expect you to have your ceremony within 11 weeks from the date of receiving your notification. If you do not think you will be able to attend a ceremony within this period, you may apply to the Home Office for an extension.

We hold group ceremonies for up to 50 new citizens every 6 to 8 weeks at Paignton Library and Information Centre. The purpose of these ceremonies is to welcome new citizens to British citizenship and into the local community here in Torbay.

The ceremony also reinforces the fact that becoming a citizen carries with it both rights and responsibilities. The ceremonies help encourage new citizens to play an active part in the community The Mayor and other local dignitaries attend to reinforce this message.

During the ceremony, each citizen is required to swear or affirm an oath of allegiance to the Crown, and make a pledge to uphold the values and laws of the UK. We aim to make these ceremonies enjoyable and meaningful events, giving citizens an opportunity to celebrate the event rather than just complete a bureaucratic process.

During the ceremony, you will be presented with a welcome pack, which will contain your Naturalisation Certificate, an application form for a British Passport and an application form to join the Register of Electors.

For more information on registering to vote see Electoral Register.