The naturalisation form (AN)

Before You Start

Form AN is available on GOV.UK. Before opening the form, gather the following documents and information:

• Your current passport and any previous passports covering the last 5 years
• Proof of your settlement status. Biometric residence permits are no longer issued, so this is your online immigration status (eVisa), which you see by signing in to your UKVI account
• Your Life in the UK test pass notification (with reference number)
• Evidence of your English language qualification
• Details of all your addresses in the UK for the last 5 years
• A record of all your trips outside the UK during the qualifying period, including dates and destinations
• Details of your employment for the last 5 years
• Names and contact details of your two referees
• Details of any criminal convictions, cautions, or civil penalties (in the UK or abroad)

Having this information to hand before you start will make the process much smoother. The form allows you to save and return, but having everything ready avoids delays.

Section by Section Guide

Personal Details

This section asks for your full name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, and current nationality. If you have ever used a different name (including maiden names or names in different scripts), you must provide all previous names.

Use the names exactly as they appear on your passport and on your online immigration status. If there are discrepancies between your documents, explain them. The Home Office will compare the name on your application with all your supporting documents.

Contact Details and Address

Provide your current UK address and contact details, including email and phone number. The Home Office will use these to communicate with you about your application. Make sure they are correct and that you check them regularly.

Immigration History

You will be asked about your immigration history, including when you first came to the UK, what visas you have held, and your current immigration status. This is straightforward if you have a clean history. Provide dates as accurately as possible.

If you have had any complications (previous refusals, periods of overstaying, or breaches of visa conditions), you must declare them here. Be honest. The Home Office has access to your full immigration record, and non-disclosure is treated more seriously than the issue itself.

Residency and Absences

This is one of the most important sections. You must list every trip outside the UK during the qualifying period (5 years for general naturalisation, 3 years for spouses).

For each trip, provide:

• The date you left the UK
• The date you returned
• The country you visited
• The reason for the trip

The Home Office calculates your total absences based on this information. The limits are:

• General naturalisation: No more than 450 days absent in the 5-year period, and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months.
• Spouse naturalisation: No more than 270 days absent in the 3-year period, and no more than 90 days absent in the final 12 months.

Check your passport stamps, travel bookings, and any other records to ensure accuracy. Guessing dates can lead to discrepancies if the Home Office checks your travel records.

Good Character Declaration

The good character section asks detailed questions about your criminal record, tax compliance, immigration history, and general conduct. You must answer honestly.

You will be asked about:

• Criminal convictions anywhere in the world (including driving offences)
• Police cautions, warnings, or reprimands
• Civil penalties or proceedings
• Involvement in terrorism or activities harmful to the UK
• Outstanding debts to the NHS or the Home Office
• Tax compliance (are you up to date with HMRC?)
• Any deception used in previous immigration applications

The golden rule is: disclose everything. If you are unsure whether something needs to be declared, declare it. A minor issue that you disclose honestly is far less damaging than an issue that you hide and the Home Office discovers.

For guidance on what affects good character, see our citizenship refusal reasons guide.

Referees

You need two referees who can vouch for you. The requirements are:

• Referee 1: Must be a person of standing in the community, such as a doctor, teacher, lawyer, civil servant, police officer, or bank manager. They must be a British citizen or hold another professional qualification.
• Referee 2: Must be someone who knows you personally. They should be a British citizen or a professional person. They do not need to be in a specific profession.

Both referees must:

• Have known you personally for at least 3 years
• Not be related to you
• Not be your solicitor or immigration adviser
• Not be the same person (you need two different referees)

Your referees will need to provide their full name, date of birth, occupation, address, passport number (if British), and contact details. They may be contacted by the Home Office to verify the information.

Choose your referees carefully. They should be people who genuinely know you, not acquaintances. The Home Office may ask them questions about you, and their answers need to be consistent with your application.

Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK

You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirement and have passed the Life in the UK test. In this section, you enter:

• Your Life in the UK test reference number
• Details of how you meet the English language requirement (nationality of a majority English-speaking country, academic qualification taught in English, or approved English language test)

If you are exempt from the knowledge requirements (for example, because you are 65 or over or have a qualifying disability), indicate this and provide supporting evidence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating absences: Many applicants forget short trips or miscalculate dates. Check your passport stamps and travel records carefully.
• Not disclosing convictions: Even minor or spent convictions must be declared. The Home Office checks criminal records. If you are unsure whether to use a solicitor, we have a guide for that.
• Incorrect dates: Use exact dates wherever possible. Approximate dates should be clearly marked as approximate.
• Choosing unsuitable referees: Make sure your referees meet the requirements and are willing to be contacted. A referee who does not respond to the Home Office can delay your application.
• Mismatched names: If your name appears differently on different documents, explain the discrepancy clearly.
• Applying too early: Make sure you have held ILR for at least 12 months (if required for your category) and that your absences are within the limits.

Submitting the Form

Once you have completed all sections of Form AN online, you review your answers and submit the application. You pay the £1,839 fee at this stage — £1,709 to apply, plus the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. See our visa fees guide for a full cost breakdown.

After submission, you will need to attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph (unless you already have biometrics on record). You will receive instructions on how to book this appointment.

Processing typically takes around 6 months, though times can vary. You can track your application using the citizenship status tracking guide.

If your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony to receive your certificate of naturalisation.

After Submission

While your application is being processed:

• Do not travel excessively. Continue to comply with residency requirements until a decision is made. Check your eVisa is up to date.
• Respond promptly to any requests for additional information from the Home Office.
• Inform the Home Office if your circumstances change (for example, a change of address or a new criminal matter).
• Keep copies of everything you submitted.

Questions and answers