How much is British citizenship in 2026? Most adults applying through naturalisation pay £1,839, comprising a £1,709 application fee and £130 citizenship ceremony fee. Tests, a passport and professional advice can increase the total, but not everyone needs these extras.
Fees checked: 1 October 2026.
The most useful budget starts with your application route, then adds only the costs that apply to you.
How much is British citizenship for adults and children?
Naturalisation is the route many adults use after settling in the UK. Registration is a different process used by children and certain eligible adults.
| Application route | Application fee | Standard ceremony fee | Combined cost |
| Adult naturalisation | £1,709 | £130 | £1,839 |
| Standard adult registration | £1,540 | £130 | £1,670 |
| Standard child registration, under 18 | £1,000 | Normally £0 | £1,000 |
These are the main charges, not every nationality route. Some applicants qualify for lower fees or exemptions. The current main application fees took effect on 8 April 2026.
Avoid counting the ceremony twice. A quoted naturalisation total of £1,839 already includes the £130 ceremony charge.
If a child turns 18 while their application is being processed, an additional £130 ceremony fee becomes payable.
What extra costs should you budget for?
Life in the UK Test
The standard Life in the UK Test costs £50 per attempt.
You do not need to repeat it if you passed it for an earlier settlement application. Exemptions also apply, including for applicants aged 65 or over and qualifying long-term medical conditions.
English language evidence
An English test is not an automatic expense for every applicant.
If you need a new approved test, the provider sets the price. For example, Trinity College London currently lists its B1 GESE Grade 5 test at £160.
Before booking, check your previous evidence. An expired B1, B2, C1 or C2 qualification can still be used for citizenship if it was accepted when you settled in the UK.
British passport
Your citizenship fee does not include a passport.
A standard adult passport application made online from within the UK costs £102. The equivalent paper application costs £115.50. Overseas applications have different charges.
Documents and professional help
Other possible expenses include translations, replacement certificates, travel and optional appointment services.
If you instruct a solicitor or immigration adviser, request an itemised quote. Check whether it includes VAT, document checking and responses to Home Office queries.
Biometric enrolment itself has no Home Office fee for citizenship applications.
What is the total cost of British citizenship?
The following examples show the citizenship-stage budget for an adult applying through naturalisation.
| Example | Calculation | Total |
| Existing test evidence accepted, no additional services | £1,709 + £130 | £1,839 |
| Same applicant, plus a standard online UK passport | £1,839 + £102 | £1,941 |
| New Life in the UK Test, £160 English test and online UK passport | £1,839 + £50 + £160 + £102 | £2,151 |
These are calculated examples using the official naturalisation and passport charges, the standard Life in the UK Test fee and Trinity’s published test price. They exclude retakes, translations, professional fees and optional services.
Keep earlier immigration UK costs separate. Visa applications and settlement are different stages. For example, where the standard £3,226 indefinite leave to remain fee applies, ILR plus naturalisation totals £5,065, before other expenses. That is not a universal cost for every route to citizenship.
Can you reduce the cost?
Start by checking whether you already hold British citizenship through birth or a parent. Someone who is already British does not need to apply for naturalisation, although obtaining evidence or a passport can still cost money.
Next, check these practical savings:
- Reuse an existing Life in the UK Test pass.
- Check whether previous English evidence remains acceptable.
- Obtain quotes before paying for translations or legal services.
- Check child fee-waiver eligibility before submitting a paid application.
Eligible children may receive a fee waiver where the family cannot afford the charge after essential living costs. Children looked after by a local authority can apply free with the required evidence. For online fee-waiver applications, wait for the decision before applying for citizenship.
Is British citizenship more expensive for Americans?
US nationals applying through ordinary naturalisation pay the same application and ceremony charges.
However, US nationals are exempt from proving their knowledge of English, which can remove the English-test expense. This exemption does not automatically remove the Life in the UK Test requirement.
Americans with British family connections should check their nationality status and application route before budgeting for naturalisation. Automatic citizenship and registration are different from applying after UK residence.
What happens to your money if the application fails?
The distinction between refusal and rejection as invalid matters:
- Refused or withdrawn: the processing fee is not refunded, but the ceremony fee is refundable.
- Rejected as invalid: the overall fee is refunded minus a £30 administration charge per applicant.
Check your eligibility and evidence before paying. A cheaper application is little help if it is submitted under the wrong route.
Planning your citizenship budget
When working out how much is British citizenship, start with your route and add only the extras you need. For ordinary adult naturalisation, budget £1,839 before tests, a passport or optional services.
Check the current GOV.UK charges immediately before applying, particularly if you have been saving towards an older fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much is British citizenship with a passport?
For adult naturalisation plus a standard online passport application from within the UK, the combined fees are £1,941. Tests and other services cost extra where needed.
How much does British citizenship cost for a child?
Standard registration costs £1,000 for a child under 18. Fee waivers may be available. A child who turns 18 during processing must also pay the £130 ceremony fee.
Is citizenship cheaper if you are married to a British citizen?
No. Naturalisation through the spouse route costs £1,839, including the ceremony. Marriage affects eligibility requirements rather than reducing the application price.
Can you pay British citizenship fees in instalments?
The Home Office requires the application fee in full. A payment arrangement offered by an adviser is separate from the government’s payment requirements.
Can you pay extra for a faster citizenship decision?
Eligible online applicants can use the £500 priority service, which usually provides a decision within 30 working days. You will be told whether you qualify when applying. Citizenship applications cannot use super priority, and some decisions take longer.
