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British citizenship solicitors in St AlbansBecome a British citizen.
We check you qualify and prepare your application, for a fixed fee.
- Fixed fees, agreed upfront
- Solicitor-led, St Albans office
- Reply within 1 working day
British citizenship (naturalisation) application
£1,750+ VAT
£2,100 including VAT
- Included
- Advice on your route and eligibility
- A checklist of the documents you need
- We complete the application form
- Cover letter setting out how you meet the rules
- Submission and updates until a decision
- Not included
The Home Office application fee is paid directly to the Home Office.
- Typical timescale
- Usually ready to submit 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents, plus Home Office processing
- Award-winningBest Immigration Lawyer in St Albans, Quality Business Awards 2023 (opens in a new tab)
- 4.9 out of 5From 100+ Google reviews (opens in a new tab)
- Since 2009SRA-regulated, no. 635480 (opens in a new tab)
- Fixed feesAgreed in writing before we start
- 1 working dayTo reply to every message
- English, বাংলা, اردو, हिन्दीLanguages we speak
What it costs
A fixed fee, agreed before we start. The Home Office application fee is extra.
| Service | Our fee | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
British citizenship (naturalisation) applicationWhat's included
Timescale: Usually ready to submit 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents, plus Home Office processing | £1,750+ VAT£2,100 incl. VAT | £2,100 |
Document check (if you're making your own application)What's included
Timescale: Feedback within 5 working days of receiving your documents | £395+ VAT£474 incl. VAT | £474 |
| Immigration consultation (30 minutes)With a solicitor. Credited against our fees if you instruct us. | £150+ VAT£180 incl. VAT | £180 |
Our fees are + VAT at 20%. They don't include Home Office fees, which you pay directly to the Home Office.
Other costs you'll pay
- British citizenship (naturalisation) application£1,839
£1,709 application fee plus the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Life in the UK test£50
If you haven't passed it already. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- English language test (if needed)About £150 to £200
Paid to an approved test provider. The price depends on the test and centre. Check on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
- Certified translations (if needed)Usually £30 to £60 a page
Paid to the translator. We'll tell you if any documents need translating.
Official fees have no VAT and are paid directly, not to us. Correct at 27 October 2026; the Home Office usually changes its fees in April and October. Estimates are marked "about" or "usually".
The Home Office application fee is paid directly to the Home Office. You may also need to pay for the Life in the UK test, an English language test, and certified translations of documents.
Key stages and timescales
- Free call and fixed-fee quote: Usually within 2 working days of your enquiry
- Preparing your application: Usually 2 to 4 weeks after we receive your documents
- Home Office decision: Usually within 6 months GOV.UK processing times (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship ceremony: Within 3 months of your invitation
The Home Office publishes current processing times for citizenship applications on GOV.UK. If you're approved, you usually need to attend your citizenship ceremony within 3 months of being invited.
Your fixed fee, in writing, before we start.
Tell us about your situation on a free call and we'll confirm the fee that applies to you.
Book a free call for your quoteIs this you?
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questions or book a free call and tell us what's happened.
- You've had Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status for at least 12 months.
- You have Indefinite Leave to Remain and you're married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen.
- You want to check your absences, your good character, or your child's options before you apply.
What's included
Step 1: Check you're eligible
We check your residence, your absences, and your immigration status against the requirements for your situation.
Step 2: Review good character
We go through anything that could affect the good character requirement, such as convictions, immigration breaches, or tax problems, and advise on how to declare it.
Step 3: Prepare your application
We give you a document checklist, complete the form, and explain who can act as your referees.
Step 4: Submit and keep you updated
We submit your application and keep you updated until the Home Office decides.
Step 5: Citizenship ceremony
If you're approved, you'll be invited to a citizenship ceremony. You become a British citizen at the ceremony, and can then apply for a British passport.
Residence requirements
Most people can apply after living in the UK for 5 years, once they've held Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status for at least 12 months. You must have been in the UK on the date 5 years before the Home Office receives your application. You can usually have spent no more than 450 days outside the UK in those 5 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
If you're married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen, you usually need 3 years' residence and can apply as soon as you have ILR. The absence limit is usually 270 days over the 3 years, and 90 days in the last 12 months. The Home Office can sometimes allow more absences, and you must not have broken immigration rules during the residence period.
Good character
The Home Office must be satisfied that you're of good character. It looks at criminal convictions, immigration breaches (including how you entered the UK), tax and debts, and whether you've been honest in your dealings with it. You must declare everything the form asks about. Leaving something out can lead to refusal on its own.
Registering children
Children under 18 usually register as British citizens rather than naturalise. A child born in the UK may become entitled to register when a parent becomes British or settled, or after living here for their first 10 years. Other children can apply at the Home Office's discretion.
Who will handle your case
Every matter is supervised by
Sony Sadaf Haroon
Principal solicitor, SRA ID 482574
Your matter is run by one of our SRA-regulated solicitors, with a caseworker preparing documents under their supervision. We'll tell you who your contact is when you instruct us.
Sony supervises our solicitors and caseworkers, and is the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice and for Finance and Administration. She studied at SOAS University of London, was called to the Bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1997, and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.
Check us on the SRA register (opens in a new tab)In our clients' words
I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help…
Read the full reviewHide the full review
I contacted Sony to get advice after my settlement application was refused. Her professional advice helped us to decide what would be the best option for the next step. The whole process was very quick and smooth, the correspondence was fantastic, and I received a positive decision from the HO literally a couple of hours after all necessary documentation was sent off. I would really recommend Sony Law for their professionalism, efficiency, understanding, and help, and I will definitely go back in the future if needed. Many thanks, Sony!
Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues.
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I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional service provided by this solicitor firm during my UK visa application process. From the very beginning, they demonstrated a thorough understanding of immigration law and offered clear guidance tailored to my specific situation. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the complex application process much smoother. They were always available to answer my questions, providing timely updates and reassurance along the way. Thanks to their expertise and support, I successfully obtained my visa without any issues. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking assistance with UK immigration matters. Their dedication truly made a difference!
Believe me, I've been through many solicitors, but none comes close to my experience of working with Sony Law.
Read the full reviewHide the full review
Navigating the complexities of immigration law can be daunting. Believe me, I've been through many solicitors, but none comes close to my experience of working with Sony Law. They were an absolute game changer. From the very first consultation, they demonstrated an extraordinary level of expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for my case…
Not sure which service you need?
Answer three questions and we'll point you to the right page, or just call and tell us what's happened.
Guides on this topic
- When can I apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?Qualifying periods for Indefinite Leave to Remain by route, applying up to 28 days early, and how time spent outside the UK can affect your date.4 min read
- Spouse visa requirements explainedThe main UK spouse visa requirements: your relationship, finances, accommodation, English language and immigration history, and how each one is assessed.4 min read
- The spouse visa financial requirement explainedThe UK spouse visa financial requirement in plain English: the minimum income, what income and savings count, how to combine them, and the evidence you need.5 min read
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to have lived in the UK?
Usually 5 years, and you must have held Indefinite Leave to Remain or settled status for at least 12 months. If you're married to a British citizen, it's usually 3 years, and you can apply as soon as you have ILR.
How many days can I have spent outside the UK?
Usually no more than 450 days in the 5 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. If you're married to a British citizen, the limit is usually 270 days over 3 years. The Home Office can sometimes allow more.
What does good character mean?
The Home Office looks at things like criminal convictions, immigration breaches, unpaid tax and debts, and whether you've been honest with it. Declare everything it asks about, as leaving something out can lead to refusal on its own.
Do I need to take the Life in the UK test again?
No. If you passed it for your ILR application, you don't need to take it again. You can usually rely on the same English language evidence too.
Can my children become British too?
Children under 18 usually register as British citizens rather than naturalise. A child born in the UK may become entitled to register when a parent becomes British or settled. Other children can apply, and the Home Office decides each case.
Will I lose my other nationality?
The UK allows dual nationality, but some countries don't. Check with your other country's embassy before you apply.
Book a free 15-minute call
Tell us a little about your situation and pick a time. Our team will call you, explain how we can help and what it will cost.
It takes about two minutes. If you'd like us to help after the call, we send you a fixed quote in writing. There's no obligation.
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