First anniversary for nationality checking service

A new nationality checking service, which offers help to people applying for British citizenship, is celebrating the end of a successful first year.

The service, offered by Shropshire County Council’s registration service in partnership with the Home Office, was launched on 23 October 2006, and in its first 12 months more than 380 applications - from people living in and outside the county - have been processed.

Under the service, Register Office staff in Shrewsbury are authorised to check that applications for British nationality are completed correctly, that all necessary documentation has been submitted, and that the appropriate fee has been paid.

Passports and other key documentation are certified locally, and copies sent to the Home Office by Special Delivery. Staff carrying out the pre-application checks have all received special training from Home Office immigration experts.

The service proved so popular after its launch that an additional six staff members were trained to process the applications.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for community well-being, said: “The success of this service is really helping to put Shropshire on the map, and I’m delighted that it has proved so popular.

“I would like to thank the staff of our registration service who have been working incredibly hard to process the very many applications that have been received since the service was launched.”

The nationality-checking service is available at a cost of £35 per applicant, £50 for a married couple or £60 for a family application.

It is run on an appointment-only basis, and is also available to non-Shropshire residents.

Appointments can be made by contacting Shropshire Registration Service on 0845 678 9016.

1 November 2007