I applied under 4L (straightforward British grandmother/gender discrimination). I attended my ceremony today and received a “Certificate of Naturalization” instead of a “Certificate of Registration.” It lists section 6(1).

Is this correct? What happened?

I was hoping to be 4L otherwise than by descent so I could gain citizenship for my children. I am confused and disappointed.

I am so disappointed. I honestly didn’t get to enjoy my ceremony after I saw the certificate.

I don’t know why or what went wrong. I just know I can’t apply for my children’s registration with this paper.

I emailed citizenship inquiries but my son is set to turn 17, and the clock is ticking for him.

Wow, I am sorry to hear that. Were you able to ask the officials at the ceremony? Are they able to inquire with HO on your behalf? While there are email addresses and phone numbers to contact in the UK, I would think that now you are a citizen the Consulate should help you. Please keep us posted!

They offered to keep my certificate but suggested I take it with me, apply for my passport, and then inquire.

Maybe I should have left it. If I don’t get a response from the home office in a timely fashion, I suppose I’ll contact the consulate again.

A certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen under Section 6(1) does grant you British citizenship otherwise than by descent but it is completely incorrect if you applied using Form ARD. You should have received a certificate of registration as a British citizen under Section 4L. If your son turns 18 before this is corrected then you would have a strong case to submit an application for him under Section 4L due to an act or omission of a public authority. As such I would keep a detailed record of all communication you have with the Home Office in case this becomes necessary.

Thanks BritInParis. When I saw the certificate, I honestly thought to myself, “I need to ask Brit.” You are such a wonderful help to all of us.

Yes, I applied with ARD under 4L with justification of gender discrimination. My approval email mentioned not returning my Life in The UK, which I thought was strange but just assumed it was a form letter and that part wasn’t applicable to me.

You’re most welcome.

This is definitely an administrative error but I suspect the Home Office will move at a glacial pace given it’s going to require some creative thinking to fix it.

Any progress on this?

Unfortunately no. I have received no response other than from the consulate, who has said they will initiate an inquiry on their end as well.

I’m not sure if I should just go ahead and send in the form for a corrected certificate or not.

I would wait for the consulate to respond for the time being but I suspect you will need to submit Form RR in due course.

Finally have an update...glacial pace was shockingly correct!

The Consulate has now provided a different form to return the certificate to the Citizenship Ceremonies Support Team. I'll be sending the certificate back to the home office by UPS today.

...and the wait continues.

Keep us updated.

Back with frustration…this still has not been handled.

I emailed Nationality Enquiries last week and this week finally got a response. Apparently the Home Office didn’t know why I was sending my certificate back. You’d think the form from the Consulate which accompanied it with a clear explanation would’ve been enough, but alas, here we are.

I was told the relevant parties now have my certificate and to await further communication.

They’re quite often not the sharpest tools in the shed. At least they are aware now.

Well, here we are over a year since I received my approval. This morning, I received an email from Royal Post saying a package has entered the US. So, crossing fingers this is my corrected certificate.