In-person Citizenship Ceremonies return in Suffolk

Following an almost three year break due to the Covid pandemic, Citizenship Ceremonies are now once again being held in person at Register Offices across the county.
Published: 23 Feb 2023

During the pandemic, like many other services, Citizenship Ceremonies moved to being conducted online. 563 new citizens were welcomed in virtual ceremonies in 2022.

In-person Ceremonies have once again been taking place since 18 January 2023 and take place every month at the Ipswich Register Office and on alternating months at the Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft offices.

After nearly three years of conducting citizenship ceremonies online it feels great being able to bring everybody together again, to celebrate this very significant event in their lives. Having their guests with them at the ceremony makes the occasion even more special for the new citizens. It is an honour to be a part of their journey.
Jacqueline Maynard, ceremony manager for Ipswich Registration Service
I’m pleased that since January we have been able to conduct these important ceremonies in-person again. Group ceremonies allow new citizens an opportunity to meet with other new citizens as they are enrolled, helping them to truly feel part of our diverse community.
Cllr Bobby Bennett
Cllr Bobby Bennett, Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities
It really is a privilege and delight to meet the new citizens, whose skills, heritage and histories make a valuable contribution to Suffolk’s diversity and success.
Colonel Anthony Fairbanks Weston, Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk

The most recent ceremony took place on Monday 13 February. For the thirty-four participants at the ceremony, this was the last step on their journey to British citizenship:

Judith, a secondary school teacher from Felixstowe, said “I came to Britain from Zimbabwe as a teen. It feels great to be a British citizen now and to be part of the British culture and share in British values”.

Natalia moved to Suffolk from Greece. Having made Sudbury her home, she says she’s excited to become a British citizen now. She said: “I’ve been here for eight years now. It just made sense to apply for citizenship and become a part of Britain.”

Citizenship Ceremonies can only be booked once an application has been approved by the Home Office, and an official invitation has been sent. Please call our Ipswich Office on 0345 607 2050 to book or email citizenship@suffolk.gov.uk.

For more information, please visit the Citizenship Ceremony page on our website.