I lost my United Kingdom citizenship certificate

IDO NOT currently live in the United Kingdom, and I think that I have lost my United Kingdom citizenship certificate. Is it possible for me to obtain a replacement certificate? If so, please advise how I can do this. – W.P. Dear W.P. It is possible for you to get a replacement United Kingdom citizenship certificate. Persons must pay a fee to apply for a replacement registration, or naturalisation certificate, or to correct mistakes on a certificate.

It should be noted that persons cannot get a replacement certificate if they became British citizens before October 1986. If this is the case, persons should contact UK Visas and Immigration authorities for help.

However, persons may be able to get a certified copy of registration or naturalisation certificates from the National Archives if the registration certificate was issued between January 1, 1949, and September 30, 1986; the naturalisation certificate was issued between January 1, 1844, and September 30, 1986; or if it is needed for legal reasons.

Just for completeness, to replace a lost or damaged certificate, persons should download and complete an application for duplicate citizenship certificate and complete the payment slip on the fees leaflet. The fee is listed on the form under ‘Duplicate certificate’ and persons can pay by cheque or credit/debit card.

The applicant should then send both forms and the cheque, if applicable, to the following address: Department 102 UKVI The Capital New Hall Place Liverpool L3 9PP

Please note that persons must tell the police if their certificate has been stolen.

Also, in order to correct mistakes on a certificate, persons must write a letter that explains what the mistakes are on the certificate; include evidence of the mistake, for example, proof that the name has been spelt incorrectly; and complete the payment slip on the fees leaflet. The fee is listed on the form under ‘Duplicate certificate’, and you can pay by cheque or credit/debit card.

Then persons should send the above documents, the original certificate and the cheque, if applicable, to the following address: Department 1 UKVI The Capital New Hall Place Liverpool L3 9PP

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-atlaw who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Courtappointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com