Citizenship Ceremonies

Citizenship Ceremonies

The Lieutenancy of Dunbartonshire welcomes the opportunity to represent His Majesty the King at Citizenship Ceremonies and to participate in these very special and important occasions with those who have chosen to become British citizens.

This Ceremony is the final step on the journey to becoming a British citizen.   In 2003, the UK government introduced the requirement that all persons over 18 years of age applying for naturalisation or registration as a British citizen must take a Citizenship Oath and a Pledge of Loyalty to the Monarch at a Citizenship Ceremony.   It is a legal requirement to have a Ceremony within three months of the date of the Home Office invitation letter.

The Registrar of the local Council officiates at the Ceremony which is attended by the Lord-Lieutenant or their Deputy, the Provost of the local Council and some invited guests of those who are becoming British Citizens.
The Citizenship Ceremony is a formal occasion.   All new citizens are asked either to swear an Oath to God, or to affirm an Oath that does not have any religious context.   The choice is made by each person.

Swearing the Oath: -

"I (your full name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British Citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors according to law."

Affirming the Oath: -

"I (your full name) do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that on becoming a British citizen I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, His Heirs and Successors according to law."

Both those who are swearing or affirming will then make the Pledge of Loyalty: -

"I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms.   I will uphold its democratic values.   I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen."

On behalf of His Majesty The King, the Lord-Lieutenant or their Deputy Lieutenant welcomes the new British citizens and reminds them of their rights and responsibilities within their communities and in the United Kingdom, and wishes them well for the future.   A Certificate of British Citizenship is then presented to each of them on behalf of His Majesty The King.

The Provost welcomes everyone to the local Council area and may present a certificate or gift of welcome.   At the end of the Ceremony, all new citizens and their guests stand for the National Anthem - God Save The King.

There is then an opportunity to meet and chat to the dignitaries and to each other and for photographs to be taken of this significant occasion.

Lord-Lieutenant Jill Young MBE and East Dunbartonshire's Provost Gary Pews, welcomed more than 20 people as they became British citizens at a ceremony at Kilmardinny House in Bearsden in March 2022.

Deputy Lieutenant Morag Hart MBE JP, Provost Alan Brown and Registrar Christine Wilkie, East Dunbartonshire Council, with new British Citizens - Citizenship Ceremony - 11 March 2020

Deputy Lieutenant Owen Sayers MBE JP & Senior Registrar Lynn Houston with new citizens Regina Mpimpa & Khurram Faraz Qadri - Citizenship Ceremony - 28 February 2020

Deputy Lieutenant Morag Hart MBE JP, Deputy Provost Gary Pews and Registrar Christine Wilkie with new Citizens - East Dunbartonshire Council - 29 January 2020