Oath of allegiance and pledge
This page provides details on whether people registering as British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens and British subjects are required to make an oath of allegiance or a pledge before their registration is complete.
If you are registering as a British citizen you will need to take the oath of allegiance and make the pledge at a citizenship ceremony. You should read the page on ceremonies for more information.
British overseas territories citizens
If you are becoming a British overseas territories citizen you will need to take an oath of allegiance and make a pledge before you receive your registration certificate. You will not need to attend a citizenship ceremony to take the oath or make the pledge.
Details of what you need to do to take the oath or make the pledge will be sent to you with your decision letter. If you have any questions you should contact the British diplomatic post in the country where you live.
British overseas citizens and British subjects
If you are becoming a British overseas citizen or British subject you will need to take an oath of allegiance before you receive your registration certificate. You will not need to attend a citizenship ceremony to take the oath.
Details of what you need to do to take the oath will be sent to you with your decision letter. If you have any questions you should contact the British diplomatic post in the country where you live.
MORE NEWS AND UPDATES
- Immigration fees change on 6 April 2013
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- Revisions to the codes of practice for skilled migrant workers
- New immigration fees proposed
Terms explained
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British citizen
British citizens have the right to live in the United Kingdom permanently and are free to leave and re-enter the country at any time. British citizenship is given to people who have a close connection with the United Kingdom, which includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. A close connection may be by birth, adoption, descent, marriage, registration or naturalisation.
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British diplomatic post
A British diplomatic post is a United Kingdom embassy, high commission or consulate.
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British overseas citizen
British overseas citizenship is a category of British citizenship that was gained by certain residents of Hong Kong on 30 June 1997, when sovereignty of Hong Kong returned to China.
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British overseas territories citizen
You will be a British overseas territories citizen if you are connected with a British overseas territory because you or your parents were born, registered or naturalised in that British overseas territory. If you were born before 1 January 1983, you may gain the citizenship through your grandparents. (See British overseas territory.)
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British subject
Until 1949, nearly everyone with a close connection to the United Kingdom was called a British subject. All citizens of Commonwealth countries were British subjects until January 1983. Since that date, very few categories of people have qualified as British subjects. It is a form of British nationality.
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Oath of allegiance
An official oath sworn by those taking British citizenship, promising to faithfully support the British monarch. An affirmation of allegiance is a similar declaration.
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Pledge
A pledge is made by those taking British citizenship. It promises loyalty to the United Kingdom, respect for its rights and freedoms, to uphold its democratic values, observe its laws faithfully and to fulfil the duties and obligations of a British citizen.