British citizenship · IAA-regulated advice
British Citizenship by Marriage Advice in Birmingham & London
Married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen? You can apply after 3 years in the UK, with no 12-month wait once you have ILR or settled status. We check you qualify and prepare your application, for a fixed fee agreed in writing.
Last checked 11 October 2026 · Reviewed by Vishal Gautam, IAA-regulated adviser
Overview
What is British citizenship by marriage?
It’s naturalisation as a British citizen for people who are married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen. Compared with the standard route, you need 3 years’ residence instead of 5, and there’s no 12-month wait after you settle.
It’s set out in section 6(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981. You still need indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or settled status, the Life in the UK test, English at B1 and good character, and the Home Office decides whether to grant it.
✓This is the right route if…
- You’re married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen
- You’re 18 or over and have ILR, indefinite leave to enter or settled status
- You’ve lived in the UK for 3 years, within the absence limits
- You’ve passed, or are exempt from, the Life in the UK and English requirements
Quick check
Could you qualify? Six questions, one minute
Answer honestly. Nothing is saved or sent: this is a general guide, not advice on your case.
Are you married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen today?You must still be married or in the civil partnership on the day you apply.
Are you 18 or over, with ILR, indefinite leave to enter or settled status?Some EU and EEA citizens with pre-settled status can also apply.
Were you in the UK on the date exactly 3 years before you’ll apply?The Home Office counts back from the day it receives your application.
Have you spent 270 days or fewer outside the UK in those 3 years, and 90 or fewer in the last 12 months?Only whole days count. The days you leave and return don’t.
Have you passed the Life in the UK test, and do you have English at B1 or above?Exempt if you’re 65 or over, or a long-term condition prevents it.
Is your record clear of convictions, immigration breaches and illegal entry?Include cautions, fines and convictions abroad, even spent ones.
Eligibility
British citizenship by marriage requirements
You must meet every requirement on the day the Home Office receives your application. Even then, the decision is at the Home Office’s discretion.
Your marriage or civil partnership
- You’re married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen on the date you apply
- The law sets no minimum length of marriage: the 3 years is about your residence
- Your partner can be British in any way, for example by birth, descent or naturalisation
- This route isn’t open to unmarried partners or fiancé(e)s, or if your British partner has died
You’ll need your marriage or civil partnership certificate, and proof your partner is British, such as their passport.
Residence and absences
- You were physically in the UK on the date exactly 3 years before the Home Office receives your application
- Only whole days count as absences: the days you leave and return don’t
- You weren’t in the UK in breach of immigration laws in those 3 years. If you have ILR, the Home Office won’t usually check this
- Time spent here as a diplomat or a member of visiting armed forces doesn’t count
Over the limits? The Home Office can use discretion in special circumstances, but the bar rises quickly. Ask us before you apply.
Settled status
- Indefinite leave to remain, indefinite leave to enter, or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, on the date you apply
- No need to wait 12 months after getting it, unlike the 5-year route
- Some EU and EEA citizens and their family with pre-settled status can apply after 5 years of work, study or self-sufficiency
- A citizenship application doesn’t give you any immigration status while you wait
On a spouse visa? Once you get ILR, you can usually apply for citizenship straight away, as long as you meet the other requirements.
English and Life in the UK
- An approved English test (a SELT) at B1 or above, or a degree taught in English
- A B1 test accepted for your ILR still counts, even if it has since expired
- The Life in the UK test: 24 questions in 45 minutes. If you passed it for your ILR, you don’t take it again
- Exempt from both if you’re 65 or over, or a long-term physical or mental condition prevents it. Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries are exempt from English only
Got settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme? It didn’t need either test, so you must meet both before applying.
Good character and referees
- You must declare all convictions, cautions and penalties, in the UK and abroad, including spent ones (unless you live in Northern Ireland)
- A prison sentence of 12 months or more normally leads to refusal. For applications made from 10 February 2025, so does illegal entry, however long ago, unless it was outside your control
- Other breaches in the 10 years before the decision, such as working in breach of your conditions, normally lead to refusal. Overstaying before your ILR may be disregarded
- One referee must be a professional person of any nationality. The other must hold a British citizen passport and be a professional person or over 25
Not sure whether something in your past matters? Tell us at the consultation: it’s confidential.
Documents
Citizenship by marriage documents: the easy part
Most people can list the documents. Refusals come from what the dates, records and declarations show.
What everyone needs
- Your passport, and proof of your ILR or settled status
- Your marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Proof your partner is a British citizen
- AYour Life in the UK test pass and English evidence, or proof you’re exempt
- A record of your trips outside the UK
- The details of your two referees
Plus your fingerprints and photo at an appointment after you apply. You don’t usually need to resend documents the Home Office already holds from earlier applications.
Costs & timeline
Citizenship by marriage cost and processing time
The Home Office fee is £1,839: £1,709 for the application and £130 for the citizenship ceremony. Most decisions are made within 6 months.
Home Office fees, one adult
| Naturalisation application feethe same as the 5-year route | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony feeadded to the application fee | £130 |
| Home Office total, per applicantbefore the Life in the UK test and any English test | £1,839 |
Home Office fees from the fees table in force from 8 October 2026 and GOV.UK, checked 11 October 2026. There’s no health surcharge. The Life in the UK test costs £50 each time you take it; English test costs vary by provider. If you apply without meeting the requirements, you may lose your fee. Our consultation fees →
Get ILR or settled status
No 12-month waitYou can apply as soon as you’re settled, if you also have 3 years’ residence within the absence limits.
Pass the tests
Before you applyBook the Life in the UK test at least 3 days ahead. Make sure your English evidence is at B1 or above.
Apply and give biometrics
Week 0Online application and fee paid, then fingerprints and photo, usually within 45 days of applying.
Decision
Usually within 6 monthsIf it will take longer, you’ll be told. The priority service (£500, online in the UK) usually takes 30 working days.
Citizenship ceremony
Within 90 days of your invitationYou make an oath (or affirmation) and pledge, become a British citizen and receive your certificate. Then you can apply for a passport.
Avoid a refusal
Common citizenship by marriage refusal reasons
Most refusals could be avoided by checking the requirements before applying. These are the issues we check first.
Abroad on the start date
You must have been in the UK exactly 3 years before the Home Office receives your application. If you weren’t, it may be rejected, depending on the reason.
We check: the right application date with you before you pay.
Too many days away
Over 270 days in 3 years, or 90 in the last 12 months, needs discretion. Above 540 days it’s only very rarely given.
We check: your travel history day by day, and whether discretion is realistic.
Applying before you’re settled
You must have ILR, indefinite leave to enter or settled status on the day you apply. A spouse visa isn’t enough, and this can’t be waived.
We check: your status and the earliest date you can apply.
Not declaring everything
All convictions, cautions and penalties must be declared, even spent ones. Leaving something out normally leads to refusal, and to refusal of further applications for 10 years.
We check: what you must declare and how to explain it.
Past illegal entry or breaches
Illegal entry now normally leads to refusal however long ago it was. Other breaches in the last 10 years are weighed too.
We check: your immigration history, and tell you plainly about any risk.
The wrong English evidence
Only approved tests at B1 or above, or qualifying degrees, count. Settled status under the EU scheme didn’t need a test, so many people still need one.
We check: your English evidence or exemption before you apply.
How we help
Our citizenship by marriage services
Choose a one-off consultation, or let us handle your application from start to finish for a fixed fee.
Eligibility consultation
We check your marriage, status, residence and record, and tell you when you can apply.
Absences and record check
We count your days outside the UK and review what you need to declare.
Full application
We prepare and submit your application, with a cover letter that sets out how you qualify.
Your children
We help you apply to register your children as British citizens.
Our scope: we’re regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1. There’s no right of appeal against a citizenship refusal. If you’re refused, we explain your options and, where your case needs a higher level of advice, refer you to a solicitor or higher-level adviser.
FAQs
Citizenship by marriage questions, answered
Do we need to have been married for 3 years?
No. The 3 years is about how long you’ve lived in the UK, not how long you’ve been married. You must be married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen on the day you apply.
Can I apply as soon as I get ILR?
Yes. Unlike the 5-year route, there’s no 12-month wait after you get ILR or settled status. You still need 3 years’ residence within the absence limits, the Life in the UK test and English at B1.
We live together but aren’t married. Can I use this route?
No. This route is only for husbands, wives and civil partners of British citizens. You can apply on the 5-year route instead, which needs 12 months with ILR or settled status.
My partner is British by descent. Does that matter?
No. The law only requires you to be married to, or the civil partner of, a British citizen. It doesn’t matter how your partner became British.
What if my British partner has died?
You can’t apply as the partner of a British citizen if your partner has died. You may be able to apply on the 5-year route if you have ILR and meet its requirements, so ask us to check.
What if I’ve been outside the UK for more than 270 days?
The Home Office can use discretion. Up to 300 days is normally overlooked if you meet everything else. Beyond that, you usually need to show your home, family and a substantial part of your estate are here, and absences above 540 days are only very rarely accepted.
Can we apply if we plan to move abroad?
Unlike the 5-year route, this route doesn’t require you to intend to make the UK your home. You must still meet the residence and absence rules on the day you apply. If you apply in the UK, you can’t have your citizenship ceremony abroad.
What about our children?
A child born in the UK when one parent was British is usually British automatically. Other children can apply separately to register, and the fee is £1,000 per child. Ask us to check which route fits.
Related routes
Other citizenship routes
Ready when you are
Home, sorted.
Book a consultation, or start with the free quick check on this page.