When applying for British citizenship, you will usually need to provide two referees who can confirm your identity and support your application. Referees are an important part of the British citizenship process. If your referees do not meet the Home Office requirements, your application may be delayed or you may be asked to provide alternative referees.
At Lexvisa, our immigration solicitors advise applicants on British citizenship by naturalisation, British citizenship registration and child British citizenship applications.
What Is a Referee for British Citizenship?
A referee is someone who confirms your identity and supports your British citizenship application.
For adult naturalisation applications, referees help the Home Office verify that you are who you say you are. Their details are provided as part of the application process, and the Home Office may contact them if further checks are needed.
The referee requirement is separate from the main eligibility criteria for naturalisation. Applicants must also meet the relevant residence, immigration status, English language, Life in the UK and good character requirements.
You can read the current Home Office guidance on the Form AN guidance page.
British Citizenship Referee Requirements
As of June 2026, adult applicants for naturalisation must provide two referees.
One referee can be of any nationality but must be a professional person. This may include a solicitor, accountant, civil servant, minister of religion or another person with recognised professional standing. A solicitor or adviser representing you in the application cannot act as your referee.
The second referee must normally hold a British citizen passport. They must either be a professional person or be over the age of 25.
Both referees must usually:
- be over 18;
- have known you personally for at least three years;
- not be related to you;
- not be related to each other;
- not live at the same address as you;
- not be your solicitor or immigration adviser for the application;
- not be employed by the Home Office; and
- be suitable to act as a referee.
The Home Office may carry out checks to confirm that referees are suitable, do not have unspent convictions and have genuinely signed the declaration.
Referees for Children Applying for British Citizenship
Children under 18 do not apply to naturalise in the same way as adults. They usually apply to register as British citizens using the relevant registration route.
For a child’s British citizenship application, one referee should usually be a professional who has dealt with the child in a professional capacity. This could include a teacher, health visitor, doctor, social worker or minister of religion.
The second referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over 25.
Where a professional referee for the child is not available, the Home Office may consider alternative referees, but this should be approached carefully. You can read more about child nationality applications in the Home Office Form MN1 guidance.
What Do Referees Need to Provide?
Referees are usually asked to provide details such as:
- full name;
- date of birth;
- address;
- profession;
- contact details;
- passport details, where relevant;
- how they know the applicant; and
- confirmation that the applicant’s photograph is a true likeness.
Referees must be willing to confirm the information they provide. Giving false information knowingly or recklessly is a criminal offence under the British Nationality Act 1981 and can lead to a fine, imprisonment or both.
Common Issues With British Citizenship Referees
Common referee issues include choosing a person who has not known the applicant for long enough, using a family member, choosing a referee who is not a professional person, or asking a solicitor involved in the application to act as a referee.
Another common issue is assuming that any British citizen can act as the second referee. The second referee must normally hold a British citizen passport and must either be a professional person or be over 25.
If the Home Office is not satisfied with one or both referees, it may request alternative referees. This can delay the application and create unnecessary complications.
Why Referees Matter in a British Citizenship Application
British citizenship is a significant legal status. Naturalisation is not automatic, and the Home Office must be satisfied that the applicant meets the relevant requirements.
The referee section is only one part of the application, but it should still be completed carefully. Incorrect referee details or unsuitable referees can slow down the process and may raise wider concerns about the quality of the application.
Lexvisa can review your circumstances, advise on suitable referees and prepare your application in line with the latest Home Office guidance.
How Lexvisa Can Help
Our immigration solicitors assist with British citizenship applications for adults and children. We can advise on:
- whether you meet the naturalisation or registration requirements;
- whether your proposed referees are suitable;
- residence and absence issues;
- English language and Life in the UK requirements;
- good character concerns;
- child registration applications; and
- responding to Home Office enquiries.
We also advise on related matters, including indefinite leave to remain, naturalisation after Skilled Worker ILR and registering a child as a British citizen.
FAQs
How many referees do I need for British citizenship?
You usually need two referees for a British citizenship application.
Can one referee be a non-British citizen?
Yes. One referee can be of any nationality, provided they are a professional person.
Does one referee need to be British?
Yes. The second referee must normally hold a British citizen passport and either be a professional person or be over 25.
Can a family member be a referee?
No. A family member cannot normally act as your referee for a British citizenship application.
Can my solicitor be my referee?
A solicitor can be a professional referee only if they are not representing you in the citizenship application. Your own immigration solicitor or adviser should not act as your referee.
How long must a referee have known me?
Each referee must usually have known you personally for at least three years.
Can a retired professional act as a referee?
A retired professional may be suitable in some cases, depending on the role, their standing and whether they meet the other referee requirements.
Will the Home Office contact my referees?
The Home Office may contact referees to verify information or carry out checks. Referees should be willing and able to respond if contacted.
What happens if my referee is not accepted?
The Home Office may ask you to provide an alternative referee. This can delay the application, so it is important to choose suitable referees from the outset.
Do children need referees for British citizenship?
Yes. Child registration applications normally require two referees. One should usually be a professional who has dealt with the child in a professional capacity.
Contact Lexvisa
If you are applying for British citizenship and are unsure whether your referees meet the requirements, contact Lexvisa for specialist nationality law advice. Lexvisa is the immigration law division of DJF Solicitor Group.
Call 02030110276 or complete our online enquiry form to speak with our immigration team.