Applying for a Replacement Naturalisation or Registration Certificate
In This Article:
If your British citizenship certificate has been lost, damaged or stolen, the correct replacement process depends on when the certificate was issued. UK Visas and Immigration can replace a naturalisation or registration certificate dated after 30 September 1986. For a certificate dated on or before that date, you will usually need to use The National Archives instead.
A correction is different from a replacement. If the certificate contains an error, you will normally need to apply using Form RR rather than the duplicate-certificate process.
1. What Is a Naturalisation or Registration Certificate?
Where there is no British citizenship by automatic acquisition, naturalisation and registration are legal processes through which a person may become a British citizen. Naturalisation is generally an adult route, while registration can be available to both adults and children.
If you are British automatically rather than through an application for naturalisation or registration, you will not normally have a certificate to replace. A British passport is often the most practical evidence of your status, although the appropriate evidence will depend on the basis on which you became British.
When you become a British citizen by registration or naturalisation, you are issued with a certificate. It will normally record:
- your current name and any previous name recorded;
- your place and date of birth;
- the type of British nationality and the relevant statutory provision;
- the Home Office reference and certificate number; and
- the date of registration or naturalisation.
Naturalisation and registration certificates are valuable documents and should not be laminated or otherwise altered. Current HM Passport Office guidance indicates that a laminated naturalisation or registration certificate may still be accepted where its details can be verified using Home Office (UKVI) records. However, lamination or damage may result in additional checks and, in some cases, delay the application. If the certificate cannot be used reliably or its details cannot be satisfactorily verified, it may be appropriate to apply for a replacement certificate.
When applying for a first British passport following naturalisation or registration, you must provide the original certificate together with the other original documents required for the application.
2. Can I Travel Using My Citizenship Certificate?
No. A naturalisation or registration certificate is evidence of how and when British citizenship was acquired; it is not a travel document. A British citizen will normally need a British passport or evidence of the right of abode when travelling to the UK.
You cannot ordinarily enter the UK as a British citizen using a BRP, an eVisa or the citizenship certificate. A person who does not wish to obtain a British passport may be able to apply for a digital certificate of entitlement to the right of abode. Limited exceptions apply, including for Irish citizens travelling on an Irish passport or passport card and in some cases protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.
3. What Should I Do if My Certificate Is Lost, Damaged or Stolen?
If your registration or naturalisation certificate has been lost or damaged, you can apply for a replacement through the current UKVI service. If it has been stolen, you must report the theft to the police before applying. Keep the crime reference and any supporting evidence.
The process then depends on the date on which you became a British citizen.
4. I Became a Citizen on or Before 30 September 1986
UKVI cannot issue a replacement for a certificate dated on or before 30 September 1986. You will need to use The National Archives to search for the relevant record and, where available, order a copy.
The National Archives direct certificate search service covers:
- registration certificates issued between 1 January 1949 and 30 September 1986; and
- naturalisation certificates issued between 1 January 1981 and 30 September 1986.
Earlier naturalisation records may still be held by The National Archives, but they are researched through the separate naturalisation and British citizenship research guide rather than the direct certificate-search service.
The initial search is free and The National Archives aims to provide the result within 10 working days. As at 11 September 2026, a certified copy costs £68.84 plus postage. The service indicates up to 24 working days to dispatch a standard copy and up to 16 working days to dispatch a certified copy. Fees and service times should be checked before ordering.
A person whose real problem is proving immigration status, rather than replacing a known citizenship certificate, may need a different route. Eligible people may wish to consider the Windrush Scheme, but eligibility is fact-specific.
5. I Became a Citizen After 30 September 1986
If your certificate is dated after 30 September 1986, you can apply to UKVI for a duplicate certificate. The current fee is £456 as at 11 September 2026.
If you are in the UK, you can use the online replacement service. If you are in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British Overseas Territory, you should apply in person or by post through the relevant Lieutenant Governor or Governor. If you live elsewhere, use Form NC and follow the current paper application instructions.
Currently, at the date this article is written overseas paper applications are sent to:
Department 102 UKVI
The Capital
New Hall Place
Liverpool
L3 9PP
6. What Information Is Needed for a Replacement?
The replacement application asks for personal details and information identifying the original grant, including the date of registration or naturalisation shown on the certificate. You may also need to explain how the certificate was lost, damaged or stolen and provide supporting information.
Make sure UKVI holds your current contact and address details before applying. Use the current UKVI account or change-of-details service that applies to your circumstances. An out-of-date or unverified delivery address can delay issue of the replacement certificate.
7. How Do I Correct an Error on a Certificate?
If the certificate contains an error, use Form RR to apply for a correction. This is a separate process from applying for a duplicate certificate. You will normally need to send the original certificate and evidence showing the correct details.
The current Form RR asks for an explanation of the error, whether the same details appeared in the citizenship application and why the correction was not requested earlier. Where a supporting document records a later event, the current form states that the document must have been issued within 12 months of that event. The form and evidence requirements should be checked carefully before submission.
If the mistake was caused by the applicant, the current correction fee is £456. A genuine Home Office error should be corrected without charge.
A correction application can raise wider issues where the discrepancy concerns identity information or information given in the original citizenship application. Depending on the facts, UKVI may consider the validity of the original grant, deprivation of citizenship or passport action. Those consequences are not automatic, but specialist advice may be important before making a disclosure and seeking a correction.
8. Contact Our Immigration Barristers
For expert advice and assistance with replacing or correcting a citizenship certificate, or with a British citizenship application, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete the enquiry form below.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a replacement citizenship certificate cost?
The current UKVI fee is £456 as at 11 September 2026 for a duplicate naturalisation or registration certificate dated after 30 September 1986.
Can I apply online from outside the UK?
No. The online replacement service is for applicants in the UK. Applicants elsewhere should use the paper arrangements that apply to their location, including Form NC where directed.
What if my certificate was issued before October 1986?
UKVI cannot replace a certificate dated on or before 30 September 1986. You will normally need to search The National Archives and obtain a copy of the relevant record.
Will HM Passport Office accept a laminated certificate?
It may do so after confirming the certificate details on UKVI systems, although public guidance still warns against lamination. A laminated or damaged certificate can cause additional checks and should not be altered further.
What should I do if my certificate was stolen?
Report the theft to the police and keep the crime reference before applying for a replacement. Additional evidence may be needed if the original certificate is also required for a correction application.
What is the difference between replacement and correction?
A replacement reproduces a certificate that was lost, damaged or stolen. A correction changes an error on the certificate and normally requires Form RR, the original certificate and supporting evidence.
Can I use my citizenship certificate to travel to the UK?
No. The certificate is not a travel document. A British citizen will normally need a British passport or evidence of the right of abode, subject to limited exceptions.
Please note that the information provided in this article is for general guidance only and is based on the immigration rules and policies in force at the date of publication. Immigration law and Home Office policy can change frequently, and requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances. Legal advice should always be sought in relation to your specific situation.
