British citizenship costs £1,839 per adult in 2026: a £1,709 application fee plus a £130 citizenship ceremony fee (GOV.UK, fees from 8 October 2026). Registering a child costs £1,000. Most adults also need the Life in the UK Test (£50).

That is the core British citizenship cost. The real total depends on who in your family is applying, whether you still need to take the Life in the UK Test or an English test, and whether you pay for a faster decision. This guide sets out every British citizenship fee with its GOV.UK source, so you can budget before you apply. It is general guidance only. Eligibility and costs depend on your own circumstances.

British citizenship cost 2026 at a glance

All Home Office fees below come from the GOV.UK UK visa fees page, fees table dated 8 October 2026, checked on 14 October 2026. None changed in that update.

ItemFee from 8 October 2026
Naturalisation as a British citizen, adult (application)£1,709
Citizenship ceremony£130
Total for an adult£1,839
Registration as a British citizen, adult£1,540 plus £130 ceremony
Registration as a British citizen, child under 18£1,000
Life in the UK Test£50
Priority service, where eligible£500
Nationality review£513

The adult naturalisation fee

If you apply for citizenship by naturalisation, for example after holding indefinite leave to remain or as the spouse of a British citizen, GOV.UK says "It costs £1,839 (£1,709 to apply and a £130 citizenship ceremony fee)" (GOV.UK). You pay both parts when you apply.

The ceremony fee covers a standard group ceremony arranged by your local council. GOV.UK says you might need to pay more for a private ceremony, so check the price with your council (GOV.UK citizenship ceremonies). There is no fee for giving your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) for a naturalisation application.

British citizenship fees for children

Children under 18 usually become British by registration rather than naturalisation. The registration fee for a child is £1,000. The fees table says an extra £130 ceremony fee is requested at the decision stage if the child turns 18 during the application.

If a child is under 18 and the family cannot afford the fee, GOV.UK offers a citizenship fee waiver for children. The child must be eligible for citizenship, and the family must show, for example, that they cannot afford essential living costs or that paying would mean the child's needs cannot be met. Children looked after by a local authority do not need a waiver; GOV.UK says the application will be free with evidence of this.

The other costs of becoming British

Plan for these on top of the Home Office fee.

  • Life in the UK Test: £50. You book it online at least 3 days in advance (GOV.UK). If you passed it for your settlement application, you do not take it again.
  • English language test. If you need to prove your knowledge of English and do not already hold an accepted qualification or degree, the test price is set by the provider, not the Home Office. Check the current price before you book.
  • Your first British passport. Becoming a citizen does not give you a passport automatically. An adult standard passport costs £102 online or £115.50 by paper form (GOV.UK passport fees, checked 14 October 2026).
  • Priority service (optional). You can pay £500 for the priority service for some online citizenship applications, including naturalisation and registering a child. GOV.UK says the super priority service is not available for citizenship applications (GOV.UK faster decisions).
  • Professional fees. If you use an adviser, their fee is separate from the Home Office fee.

Family cost examples

These examples use simple arithmetic on the fees above. They are not quotes.

Who is applyingHome Office fees
One adult naturalising£1,839
Two adults naturalising2 × £1,839 = £3,678
Two adults plus one child registering£3,678 + £1,000 = £4,678

Add £50 per adult who has not yet passed the Life in the UK Test, plus any English test and passport costs.

Avoiding a wasted citizenship fee

The surest way to waste £1,839 is to apply before you meet the requirements, for example with too many days outside the UK or the wrong English qualification. GOV.UK warns that an application will be refused if you send the wrong English qualification.

If your application is refused, the fees table lists a £513 fee for a nationality review. Check our guide to UK citizenship requirements before you pay, and see when you can apply after ILR. If you are preparing for the test, read how to pass the Life in the UK Test.

Frequently asked questions

How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?

For an adult applying by naturalisation, British citizenship costs £1,839: £1,709 for the application and £130 for the citizenship ceremony, under the Home Office fees table dated 8 October 2026.

Is the ceremony fee included?

The £130 ceremony fee is paid with your application and is part of the £1,839 total. GOV.UK says you might pay more if you ask your council for a private ceremony.

How much is it to register a child?

Registering a child under 18 as a British citizen costs £1,000. If the child turns 18 during the application, an extra £130 ceremony fee is requested at the decision stage.

Is the fee refunded if I'm refused?

GOV.UK says what you get back if you withdraw an application depends on the stage it has reached (GOV.UK cancel your application). Do not assume a refused application will be refunded. Have your eligibility checked before you pay.

Are there any fee waivers for citizenship?

GOV.UK offers a fee waiver for children under 18 who are eligible for citizenship and whose families cannot afford the fee. Children looked after by a local authority can apply free with evidence.

How Worldwide Immigration can help

Avoid a wasted £1,839: have our IAA-regulated immigration advisers check your application. We review your residence, absences, English evidence and character disclosures before you pay. You can apply for British citizenship with an adviser. Book a consultation online https://worldwideimmigration.eu.cliogrow.com/book, call 0203 488 2308, WhatsApp 07360 271841 or email info@worldwideimmigration.co.uk.

Worldwide Immigration advisers are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), reference F201900032. This article is general guidance, not advice on your case. Eligibility is individual, and fees and rules can change.

Sources