British citizenship application services
Becoming a British citizen is an important step that can give you greater certainty, security and a lasting connection to the UK. Hedgley Immigration provides clear, personalised support for adults and families preparing citizenship applications through naturalisation or registration.
Our advisers take time to understand your immigration history, family circumstances and long-term plans before recommending the right approach. Advice reflects your individual immigration history and circumstances. If your application depends on settlement, we can also review whether your ILR or settled status meets the relevant requirements.
Trusted support with your British citizenship application
Citizenship applications require more than completing an online form. The Home Office will consider your residence, absences, immigration status, language and Life in the UK requirements, referees, supporting evidence and good character. A mistake in any of these areas can lead to questions, delays or refusal.
Hedgley Immigration provides a structured service designed around your individual circumstances. We review the proposed application date, check whether the correct qualifying period applies and identify matters that should be explained before submission. Applicants who are married to a British citizen may be assessed under different residence rules, so we can consider your status and any related spouse visa history as part of the wider review.
From the first consultation, you will know what information is needed, which documents should be gathered and whether any part of your history requires closer attention. We set out practical next steps and provide a clear route towards submission, helping you avoid rushed decisions or unnecessary uncertainty.
Why choose Hedgley Immigration?
Hedgley Immigration supports clients in Bromley, London and across the UK. Our IAA-regulated advisers combine practical immigration experience with detailed knowledge of Home Office procedures. This allows us to look beyond a checklist and consider how the application is likely to be assessed in practice.
You will receive direct, personal guidance rather than a generic document service. We set out the work clearly, answer your questions and help you prepare an application that is accurate, consistent and supported by relevant evidence. No adviser can guarantee a Home Office decision, but careful preparation can reduce avoidable problems and give you confidence that your case has been properly presented.
Start your citizenship application with confidence
The right time to apply depends on your residence history, immigration status, travel and personal circumstances. Submitting too early or without dealing with a potential issue can put a substantial application fee at risk.
Speak to Hedgley Immigration before you apply. We can assess your position, explain the available route and provide support from the first review through to submission and the next steps after a decision. Contact us to arrange a confidential discussion about your British citizenship application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Hedgley Immigration’s British citizenship application services include?
Hedgley Immigration’s British citizenship application services are tailored to your circumstances rather than limited to checking a completed form. We first identify the correct route, which may be naturalisation for a settled adult or registration for a child or qualifying adult.
Our work can include checking eligibility, confirming the right application date, reviewing immigration status, calculating absences, identifying evidence and assessing proposed referees. We can also review the form, documents and written explanations before submission.
Where there is a concern, such as an immigration breach, criminal matter, tax issue, extended absence or refusal, we explain the possible effect and help you decide how to proceed. We also guide you through biometrics, Home Office correspondence and the steps after approval. The scope and professional fee are explained before you instruct us. We help with any Home Office enquiries.
Who can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation?
Most adults applying by naturalisation must be aged 18 or over, understand the significance of becoming a British citizen and be free from immigration time restrictions. This usually means holding indefinite leave to remain, indefinite leave to enter, settled status or another recognised permanent status.
Applicants who are not married to a British citizen normally need five years of qualifying residence and must usually have held settled status for 12 months. Those married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen normally rely on a three-year residence period and do not generally need to wait 12 months after becoming settled, although they must be settled when applying.
You must also meet residence, absence, physical presence, language, Life in the UK and good character requirements. Hedgley Immigration can review your status and timeline before you pay the application fee.
How are residence and absences assessed for a citizenship application?
For the standard five-year route, an applicant should normally have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK and no more than 90 days outside the UK in the final 12 months. For an applicant married to a British citizen, the usual overall limit is 270 days over three years, with the same final-year limit.
You must also normally have been physically present in the UK on the date five years, or three years, before the Home Office receives the application. This can determine the submission date.
Discretion may be available where absences exceed the usual limits, but it is not automatic. The reasons for travel, your UK ties and the extent of the excess may be relevant. We can calculate your absences and advise whether to apply, wait or provide supporting representations.
What documents and referees are needed for British citizenship?
The documents required depend on your route and history. Typical evidence includes a passport or travel document, proof of settled status, records showing UK residence, evidence of English language ability and confirmation that you passed the Life in the UK test or qualify for an exemption.
You may also need marriage documents, evidence of previous names, travel records and documents addressing any criminal, civil, tax or immigration issue. Two referees must support the application and meet Home Office criteria. They must know you personally, must not be related to you and must not act as your immigration representative. One will normally be a person of professional standing, while the other must generally be a British citizen aged 25 or over.
Hedgley Immigration provides a case-specific checklist and reviews referee details before submission.
What does the good character requirement mean?
Most adult naturalisation applicants, and some registration applicants, must satisfy the good character requirement. The Home Office considers a wide range of conduct and assesses each case individually.
Relevant matters can include criminal convictions, cautions, civil penalties, deception, immigration breaches, unlawful entry, unpaid taxes, financial dishonesty and conduct raising public-order or national-security concerns. An issue does not always result in refusal, but failing to disclose information fully can create a serious separate problem.
The Home Office’s approach to immigration history and illegal entry has become stricter. Applicants with asylum, irregular arrival or complex status histories should obtain advice before applying. Hedgley Immigration can review the circumstances, dates and evidence. We provide realistic advice on risk, whether waiting may help and how an explanation should be presented. Complete disclosure remains essential.
How much does a British citizenship application cost and how long does it take?
As of August 2026, the Home Office fee for adult naturalisation is £1,839, comprising the £1,709 application fee and £130 citizenship ceremony fee. Biometric enrolment normally has no separate Home Office charge, although optional appointment services may cost extra.
The usual service standard is up to six months, but some cases take longer where further checks are required. Since 20 July 2026, eligible applicants applying from within the UK may choose a priority service for an additional £500. The Home Office aims to decide priority citizenship applications within 30 working days from biometric submission, although complex checks can extend this period. An application already submitted cannot normally be upgraded.
Our professional fees are separate and depend on the work required. Hedgley Immigration explains the service and costs before instruction.
Let’s Work on Your Citizenship Application
You don’t have to apply alone. Contact Hedgley Immigration for professional, clear-headed support with your UK citizenship journey. Based near Bromley, we’re here to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Sean: 07704 909490
Lydia: 07587145994