
The Home Office rarely contacts referees, and when they do, it is usually in written form. If they are not satisfied with a referee for whatever reason, they will ask the applicant to provide another. It is not mandatory to supply referees' passport numbers, but it is always expected that applicants have sought their permission beforehand and that the referees are happy for the Home Office to have their details.
What You'll Learn
Referee signatures are valid for up to six months
It is important to note that the six-month validity period starts from the date the referee signs the form, not from the date the form is submitted. Therefore, it is recommended to get the forms signed as close to the submission date as possible to avoid any issues.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the Home Office may contact referees during the application process. This is usually done to resolve any concerns they may have or to gather additional information. However, contacting referees is not a common practice unless there is a specific reason to do so.
Furthermore, applicants should be aware that providing false information in the citizenship application, including referee signatures, is a criminal offence. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that all information provided, including referee signatures, is accurate and up to date.
When Police Can Enter Your Home
You may want to see also
It is not mandatory to provide the referee's passport number
It is not mandatory to provide the referees' passport number
The Home Office requires applicants for British citizenship to provide two referees to verify their identity. The referees should be people who know the applicant and can help prove that they are who they say they are. While the referees must have known the applicant for at least three years, they cannot be a relative, the applicant's agent or solicitor, or employed by the Home Office.
The referees are required to provide the Home Office with particular information about themselves and sign a declaration. While the Home Office states that referees must provide their British passport number (if they are a British passport holder), it is not mandatory to supply their passport number. The Home Office will only use the passport number to check the identity of the referee.
If the applicant does not wish to supply the referees' passport number, a member of staff at the Home Office can contact the referee to ascertain any further information. The application will not be rejected if the applicant does not provide the referees' passport number. However, the application will be rejected if the applicant refuses to supply a referee.
Using a Panasonic Office Phone for Home: Converting for Personal Use
You may want to see also
The referee must be over the age of 25
When applying for British citizenship, the applicant must provide two referees to verify their identity. The referees must be people who know the applicant and can help prove that they are who they say they are.
The second referee must be a British citizen and either a professional or over the age of 25. This means that the referee can be a retiree, as long as they are a British citizen. The referee must also declare that they are not related to the applicant or the other referee, are not the applicant's legal representative or agent, and are not employed by the Home Office. They must also declare that they have known the applicant personally for more than three years and are willing to give full details of their knowledge of the applicant.
The referee will need to provide their full name, gender, current address, telephone number, email address, and current passport number. They will also need to sign and date their section of the citizenship form.
It is important to note that the Home Office will only contact a referee if it could resolve concerns about an application and if they have the authority from a senior caseworker to do so. This is rare, but it is always best to choose a referee who is comfortable with being contacted directly and providing information about the applicant.
Exploring the Possibility: Can Army Officers Return Home Every Night?
You may want to see also
The Home Office rarely contacts referees
Referees are requested for all applications for British citizenship. The purpose of this is to establish the applicant's identity. For a child, the guidance specifies that one of the referees should be a person who has engaged with the child in a professional capacity, such as a teacher, health visitor, social worker, or minister of religion. This fulfils a child protection purpose in that it allows the Home Office to be satisfied that the child has had dealings with an official and is therefore likely to be known by the authorities.
The application must be endorsed by two referees and a recent passport-sized photograph. One referee should be a professional who has engaged with the applicant in a professional capacity. The other referee must normally be the holder of a British citizen passport and either a professional person or over the age of 25. Each referee should know the applicant personally and should not be related to the child, the other referee, or be acting as a solicitor or agent in connection with the application.
The Home Office will not accept a referee who has been convicted of an imprisonable offence in the last 10 years unless that conviction can be disregarded.
Maximizing Tax Benefits: Understanding Bonus Depreciation for Home Office Improvements
You may want to see also
The referee must not be related to the applicant
When applying for British citizenship, the applicant must provide two referees to verify their identity. The referees should be people who know the applicant and can help prove they are who they say they are. However, the referees cannot be related to the applicant. This means that the applicant cannot choose a relative to be their referee.
The Home Office's 'Guide AN: Naturalisation Booklet' states that "checks may be carried out to ensure that the referees do not have unspent convictions". This highlights the strict nature of the requirements. The referee must also not be the applicant's representative or be employed by the Home Office.
If it becomes clear that a referee does not meet the necessary requirements, the Home Office will ask the applicant to find a suitable referee who meets them. This will delay the application process, so it is important to ensure that the chosen referees are eligible.
Mobile Home Sales: Realtors' Role?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Home Office rarely contacts referees, but they can if they suspect something or want additional information.
Referees should be over the age of 25, not related to the applicant, not acting as a solicitor or agent for the applicant, and not employed by the Home Office. At least one referee should be a British citizen and know the applicant personally for at least three years.
Referees are not obliged to share sensitive personal details, but they should be aware that the Home Office may contact them directly to ascertain further information.