Immigration Corner | How to correct an error on a British citizenship certificate

Dear Mr Bassie,

I need to correct an error on my British citizenship certificate. Any information that you can provide on how this should be done would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

E.P.

Dear E.P.,

Persons who would like to replace or correct a United Kingdom (UK) citizenship certificate must pay a fee to order a replacement registration or naturalization certificate, or to correct mistakes on a certificate. It should be noted that how they order a certificate will depend on when they become a citizen.

Persons who became a citizen after September 30, 1986

Those persons who became citizens after September 30, 1986 should be aware It now costs £456 to replace a lost or damaged certificate. Persons should fill in the form online.

It should be noted that those persons will usually be able to keep their documents while the application is being processed.

Applicants can receive help with completing the online form if they do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device and/or they do not have internet access. Please note that applicants can only use this service if they are applying in the UK.

If residing in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory, applicants have to apply in person or by post instead. It is best to check which way is best with the respective governor’s office. Please note that applicants who live elsewhere, may also be able to apply in other ways.

To correct mistakes on a certificate persons must first download and complete an application for a correction of a registration or naturalization certificate. Upon completion they should send the form and their original certificate along with it. Persons will need to pay a £456 fee if the mistake on the certificate was the fault of the sender. The UKVI will send a letter advising that person if they need to pay. Persons should send the application and original certificate to the following address:

Department 201

UKVI

The Capital

New Hall Place

Liverpool

L3 9PP

Please note that persons must inform the police if their certificate has been stolen.

Persons who became a citizen on or before September 30, 1986

Persons who became citizens on or before September 30, 1986 should search the National Archives and order a certified copy for a registration certificate issued between January 1, 1949 and September 30, 1986. In the case of a naturalization certificate that was issued between January 1,1844 and September 30,1986.

Just for completeness please note that persons cannot get a replacement certificate from UKVI if they became a British citizen before October 1986. In these cases, persons should contact UKVI for assistance.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com