Use this service if you would like The National Archives to search for the following on your behalf:
- registration certificates issued in the UK between 1 January 1949 and 30 September 1986
- naturalisation certificates issued in the UK between 1 January 1981 and 30 September 1986
For certificates issued from October 1986, contact UK Visas and Immigration.
For naturalisation certificates issued in the UK before 1 January 1981 or issued overseas before 1 January 1983 read our guide on Naturalisation, registration and British citizenship.
If you meant to request confirmation of no evidence of British naturalisation, use this service.
Commonwealth citizens and other nationalities, who have been lawfully resident in the UK for a long time but who do not have documents to demonstrate their status, can apply to UK Visas and Immigration for the necessary documentation for free. You may also be able to apply for British citizenship under the Windrush Scheme for free here.
How it works
Our team will contact you via email or post with the results of the search within 10 working days.
If we find the certificate we will provide the certificate number and explain how to order a copy.
Standard copies take up to 24 working days to dispatch. Certified copies take up to 16 working days to dispatch.
If we don’t find the certificate we will advise who to contact for further information.
How much does it cost?
Our initial search is free.
The fee for a standard copy depends on the number of pages in the certificate (usually one or two) and the format you require. Certified copies cost £27.15, plus postage and packing.
Alternatively you can visit us to view the record for free and make copies yourself.