What is Nationality Checking?
The Nationality Checking Service (NCS),is provided in partnership with the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
If you are applying for British citizenship we will
- Check that your application has been completed correctly
- Ensure that you submit all the required documents such as passports, certificates and proof of English proficiency
- Certify your supporting documents
- Send your application(s) to the Home Office by special delivery post
The NCS is not a fast-track application service, but applications which have been completed properly do tend to be dealt with more quickly. Information regarding waiting times for your application to be processed are available on the Home Office website.
We will photocopy your documents so you can keep your original documents such as your passport. However you must provide us with original documents. If you do not have a passport or travel document you may be able to supply other original documents. Our Nationality Checking Team will be able to advise you.
How do I apply for British Citizenship?
You will need to satisfy the following criteria
- Residential qualification - You will need to have resided in this country for 5 years (as a single applicant). Alternatively, for 3 years if you are the spouse or civil partner of a British Citizen. In this case you must have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain or Enter by the time that you make your application.
- If you are applying under the 5 year rule you must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain or Enter for at least 12 months. The ILR stamp should be in your passport, travel document, or on a letter from the Home Office.
- Knowledge of Life in the UK - you must have passed the Life in the UK test or hold an ESOL qualification with a Citizenship element.
For more information on the Life in the UK test log onto www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk or telephone 0800 015 4245. For more information on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Citizenship classes contact the Learn Direct Helpline on 0800 100 900 or the learndirect website at www.learndirect.co.uk.
How do I use the service?
The checking service is strictly on an appointment basis. Please ring 0113 2224408 . We aim to offer you an appointment within 10 working days. Applicants over 18 must attend in person. When booking your appointment we will ask you for your Life in the UK test certificate
How do I get a citizenship application form?
Download an application form from www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Or contact the Home Office direct:
Tel: 0845 010 5200
The Home Office IND
Managed Migration
Immigration and Nationality Directorate
PO Box 306
Liverpool L2 0QN
What does the National Checking Service cost?
We will charge you a fee of:
£45 per adult application
£25 per child application
(All fees include VAT)
Please note that these fees are in addition to the normal fee you must pay to the Home Office for processing your application for nationality. You may pay our checking fee by postal order or cheque, (made out to Leeds City Council), by credit card or cash.
You will also need to pay a non refundable deposit of £20 per application, payable by cash or credit / debit card when making your appointment
We will deduct the deposit from your final fee when you arrive for your appointment. Appointments can only be changed once and only up to 48 hours before the appointment date. We regret we cannot make appointments where no deposit is paid in advance and we cannot refund the fee if you do not attend your appointment.
Home Office fees may be paid by card, transcash or cheque (made payable to The Accounting Officer, Home Office). We cannot send cash to the Home Office.
What do I do if I want to complain about the service I receive?
If you have a compliment, comment or complaint about the service, please let us know. We will give you a customer satisfaction form to complete when you arrive for your appointment or if we are unable to send your application for process by the Home Office.
If you wish to take the matter further there are a number of ways you can do this.
1: Tell a member of staff immediately
It is always nice to know we are doing well and, if we are not, simple mistakes or misunderstandings can often be sorted out straightaway.
2: Tell the Service Manager, Mr. Steve Coupe, or the Council Feedback team.
You can do this either by completing a Leeds City Council Complaints form, which you can pick up from reception or by emailing Complaints@leeds.gov.uk or by telephoning 0845 129 0113 or by writing to
Freepost RLZR-ELTX-RUEH
Leeds City Council
PO BOX 657
LS1 9BS
3: If you are still not happy with our response you can complain directly to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
Complaints section
5th Floor
Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London SE1 2QN Telephone: 020 7211 1500
Fax: 020 7211 1533
Other Information and Home Office Contacts
Please note that Leeds Register Office is not able to give you advice about nationality. We can only check that you have the correct paperwork and that your application has been completed properly. We cannot give immigration advice or act for you after you have made your application. For this kind of information or if you have any queries regarding your eligibility to apply for British Citizenship, you should consult your legal advisors or contact the Home Office directly on 0845 010 5200 or visit the OISC website to find a local advisor.
The Nationality Checking Service at Leeds Register Office is registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to provide this service
Life in the UK Test
When applying for British citizenship you need to show that you know about life in the UK. You can do this either by taking the Life in the UK test or by taking combined English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Citizenship classes.
A book entitled “Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship” provides guidance on taking the test. This can be purchased from bookshops or from the Stationery Office website
If you only want information about language courses or to find out where your nearest college is, contact the learndirect helpline on 0800 100 900 or the learndirect website
Local Test Centres
Real Time Training
9 Hunslet Trading Estate
Severn Road
Hunslet
Leeds
Tel. 0113 277 3777
Minerva Centre Ltd
Bradtrad House
Ripley Street
West Bowling
Bradford
Tel. 01274 772121
IT2 Home
163 Killinghall Road
Bradford
Tel. 0800 08231243
Local Learning Zone
West End House
39 Legrams Lane
Bradford
Tel. 0800 0831243
Target Training
Merchant House
11a Piccadilly
York
Tel. 01904 671171