Nationality Checking Service
As of the 31st December 2018 all Local Authorities, including Manchester City Council, will cease to provide the Nationality Checking Service and customers can now apply online at Gov.uk.
Information about the new application process.
Our Nationality Checking Service appointments are fully booked until the service finishes, however, it may be possible that some appointments will become available due to cancellations.
What is the Nationality Checking Service?
The Nationality Checking Service is a partnership between the Home Office Nationality Group and Manchester City Council. The service ensures that applications for British citizenship are completed correctly.
Important documents which need to accompany the application form will be checked, copied and certified so applicants can keep the originals. (We do have to send your original Life in the UK test certificate to the Home Office) Completed applications will then be forwarded to the Home Office by secure post. (For up to date information on applying for British Citizenship, including what documents you need to provide, please see the British Citizenship pages of the Gov.uk website)
Correctly completed applications tend to be resolved more quickly than those that are incomplete.
Appointments
The nationality checking service is by appointment only.
All appointments are held at the Manchester Register Office
To make an appointment please contact our citizenship team on 0161 234 5005.
Due to high demand for appointments, this telephone line is very busy. We apologise if you have difficulty getting through to us. If you do have a problem contacting us by telephone, you can e-mail us at registeroffice@manchester.gov.uk , giving us a telephone number we can contact you on, and we will try to phone you back as soon as possible.
The office is open for NCS appointments Monday - Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm.
We are closed from 2.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month, for staff training.
Advice about nationality
The citizenship / nationality checking service team will not be able to provide advice about nationality.
For information about nationality, please see the British Citizenship pages of the Gov.uk website
For information about how to complete the application form and the requirements you must meet, you will need to read the guidance notes and the requirements booklet.
Changes to nationality policy around breaches of the immigration rules.
Where an applicant has been in breach of the immigration laws, the Home Office have previously looked at the breach as a residence issue and have often waived the breach. However, the Home Office now treat such a breach of the laws as both a residence issue and a character issue, and it is less likely to be waived. More information about the policy changes can be found on the gov.uk website. (Annexes B and D)
The knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement for settlement and naturalisation
There are two parts to the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK (KoLL) requirement, both of which must be met by all applicants for settlement and naturalisation, unless the individual is exempt.
Applicants are required to:
- pass the Life in the UK test
AND
Please note that from November 2015, there will be a change to the accepted qualifications. All applicants should check the latest list on GOV.uk to make sure that they meet the requirements.
After your application has been received.
If you are planning to leave the UK at all in the two months following your application, you need to be aware that you will be invited to enrol your biometrics at some point in that period. You need to be aware of the fact that you only have 15 days, from the date on the letter, to enrol your biometrics, and failure to do so in the requisite period could result in the rejection of your application.
Please note that even though we send off the necessary copies of your documents with your application, The Home Office reserve the right to request original documents, additional documents and further information, as part of the application process. If the Home Office write to you requesting documents or information, they will give you 14 days to respond.
Feedback
We always welcome feedback and suggestions to improve the quality of our service.
If you would like to give us feedback about this service, or make a complaint please:
- send us an e-mail at registeroffice@manchester.gov.uk
- telephone us on: 0161 234 5005
- or write to us at
Manchester Register Office
Heron House
47, Lloyd Street
Manchester
M2 5LE
Alternatively, you may if you wish write directly to:
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
5th Floor
21 Bloomsbury Street
London
WC1B 3HF
Email: info@oisc.gov.uk
Website: www.oisc.gov.uk