How to apply for residence documents as a European citizen

This page explains how a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland can apply for a registration certificate or a document certifying permanent residence.

For more information about registration certificates and permanent residence, and when you can apply for them, see the Residence documents for European citizens page.

You can apply for a registration certificate by completing the EEA1 application form.

You can apply for a document certifying permanent residence by completing the EEA3 application form.

You should read the EEA guidance notes before you make your application.

You can find both application forms and the guidance notes under 'Application forms' on the right side of this page.

The fee

There is a fee of £55 for an application made by post or in person for a registration certificate or document certifying permanent residence. If you include any family members in your application, the fee increases by £55 for each family member, as explained in the table below:

Number of applicants	Fee
You	£55
You and 1 family member	£110
You and 2 family members	£165
You and 3 family members	£220
You and more than 3 family members	Add £55 to the amount above for each additional family member

If you do not pay the fee your application will not be processed and it will be returned to you.

How to submit your application

You can submit your EEA1 application:

• by post to the address on the front of the application form; or
• in person at our public enquiry office in Croydon. You will need to book an appointment before you visit the office, and appointments must be booked approximately 2 months in advance. For details of the public enquiry office's location, its opening times and how to book an appointment, see the Applying in person section.

You can submit your EEA3 application:

• by post to the address on the front of the application form.

What should you send with your application?

When you make your application, you must provide:

• the fee of £55 for each person applying
• your valid identity card or passport, issued by a country in the EEA or Switzerland;
• evidence that you qualify for the documentation; and
• 2 passport-style photographs of you.

The EEA guidance notes contain more information about the evidence required. We have also produced a checklist which can help you decide what evidence to provide. You can find this checklist under 'Related documents' on the right side of this page.

We will return your documents using Royal Mail 2nd class post, or by Recorded Delivery if we received and acknowledged your application before 17 January 2011. If you want us to return your documents to you by a Royal Mail 'signed for' service, you can find out what to do under 'More information' below.

Processing times

The time taken to process your application will depend on the type of application you make and how you submit it.

We deal with all applications within 6 months. Some applications will be resolved much sooner.

To help us to focus on deciding applications as soon as possible, please do not phone or write to ask about the progress of your application unless you need a passport or other document urgently.

If you apply in person for a registration certificate at our public enquiry office in Croydon, we will usually process your application on the same day.