• Home
• Community information
• Peterborough Register Office
• Contact Details
• How to find the Register Office
• Marriages and civil partnerships
• Registering a birth
• Naming ceremonies
• Arranging a citizenship ceremony
• Family history and certificates
• Nationality Checking Service
• Renewal of vows ceremonies
• Register a death

Please note: Translations are handled by an external website and are not endorsed by Peterborough City Council.

Nationality checking service

We offer a nationality checking service to assist people who wish to become British citizens. The nationality checking service is a partnership between ourselves and the Home Office nationality group. It offers an optional service to those applying for British nationality.

Why should I use the service?

There are many benefits to using the Nationality Checking Service:

• You are able to keep your original documents, including your passport, allowing you to travel whilst your application is under consideration from the Home Office.
• You will get peace of mind that your application has been checked before sending and is accurate and complete. This greatly reduces the risk of mistakes.
• Over half of all applications for British Citizenship are now dealt with by the Nationality Checking Service. Although success cannot be guaranteed, only 2% of applications sent this way were refused last year.
• This compares very favourably with applications sent directly to the Home Office by you yourself or through solicitors or other agencies. The failure rate of these applications is between 11% and 14%.
• Applications are sent by secure post and delivery is guaranteed.

What the Nationality Checking Service team are not allowed to do is to give advice on nationality, immigration or asylum matters. They cannot check applications for Indefinite Leave To Remain and they cannot help to complete the application forms. Advice and assistance on these matter is provided by:

• The Nationality Helpdesk on 0845 010 5200
• The Office of the Immigration Service Commissioner

When and where?

We offer a friendly and professional service on two or three days a week (including some Saturdays) at the register office. You will need to make an appointment by contacting Peterborough Register Office. There is free car parking on site and our team will:

• check that you are eligible to apply
• check the application form is correctly completed
• check/certify your supporting documents and information and return them to you
• submit the application with copies of all the necessary documents and the correct fee

English language requirements

Peterborough College of Adult Education is the local centre for taking your "Life in the UK Test" and they also provide ESOL courses. There are no other centres within a 50 mile radius.  Whether you are local to Peterborough or have travelled here to take your test, we at Peterborough Registration Service welcome the opportunity to help you with your application for citizenship through the Nationality Checking Service. We offer a friendly and professional service.

How to use the service

You should contact our nationality checking service team at  Peterborough Register Office. We will be able to give you more information to assist you and book an appointment for you to visit the office to submit your application. The fee for the service is payable by debit/credit card when you make the booking and is in addition to the Home Office fee.  It is not refundable if you fail to attend or if your application may not be submitted for any reason.

Application fees

* Husband and wife or civil partners who apply at the same time