We offer two services relating to British citizenship. Submit a request form below depending on if you want:
1. Evidence that someone obtained or renounced British nationality
- We will carry out a search of our records of British nationality from January 1949 to October 1986 (or to December 1982 for a renunciation).
- If we find a certificate, we will provide the certificate number and explain how to order a copy.
- The initial search is free of charge.
Many certificates, including those issued before January 1949, can be located by a simple name search in our catalogue. Try a search there yourself first, as you may not need to use this service.
We do not hold records of everyone who has British citizenship automatically. See the GOV.UK guidance pages to check if you’re a British citizen or whether you may hold dual nationality.
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.
2. A letter confirming that someone did not obtain British nationality
- We will carry out a search of our records of British nationality from November 1844 to October 1986.
- If we do not find evidence of British nationality, we will send you a letter signed in wet ink confirming this.
- There is a charge of £38.95 for this service, covering the search and the letter, plus postage. This fee changed on 1 April 2026, find out more on our Fees change FAQs.