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Citizenship and naturalisation
Certificates of British nationality
Certificates of British nationality, also known as registrations of citizenship, are issued under the British Nationality Act of 1948 to people from self-governing Commonwealth countries and former colonies.
1949-1986
The National Archives holds duplicate certificates of British nationality from 1 January 1949 to 30 September 1986 in HO 334. To find a certificate, the registration number is required.
If you already know the registration number and wish to obtain a copy of a certificate:
- Contact us to obtain the document reference number in HO 334
- Use our record copying service to order a certified or uncertified copy of the certificate
If you do not know the registration number and wish to obtain a copy of a certificate:
- Contact us in writing with the following information:
- Full name at the time of application
- Date of birth
- Town and country of birth
- Date of registration
- Place of registration
- If we are able to locate the registration number in the name index, we will provide you with it and the related document reference number in HO 334
- Use our record copying service to order a certified or uncertified copy of the certificate
After 1 October 1986
For all enquiries about certificates of British nationality after this date, contact:
UK Border Agency
Reliance House
20 Water Street
Liverpool
L2 8XU
email: ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
Naturalisation certificates
Naturalisation certificates are issued by the Home Office to people from foreign countries.1844-1969
The National Archives holds duplicate naturalisation certificates from 1844 to June 1969.
- Between 1844 and 1873, Home Office naturalisations were enrolled on the Close Rolls in C 54
- Between 1870 and June 1969, duplicate naturalisation certificates can be found in HO 334
Indexes are kept at The National Archives.
1969-1986
From June 1969 until 30 September 1986 the Home Office did not retain a set of duplicate certificates.
Often the only evidence of naturalisation is in the indexes in HO 409 (up to 1980) or in a card index at The National Archives (1981-30 September 1986, staff access only). Contact us in writing for all enquiries about the card index.
After 1 October 1986
For all enquiries about naturalisation certificates after this date, contact:
UK Border Agency
Reliance House
20 Water Street
Liverpool L2 8XU
email: ukbanationalityenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
Research guides
For further information, read the research guide Naturalisation and Citizenship: Grants of British Nationality.
Bookshop
Roger Kershaw, Migration Records (The National Archives, 2009)
