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The Nationality Checking service (NCS) is a partnership between the Home Office Nationality Group and a number of local councils in England and Wales.  The participating councils will offer an optional service to those applicants who wish to take advantage of it.  For a modest fee, the designated councils will check that applications for British nationality are completed correctly and have been submitted with all the necessary supporting documents such as passport, certificates and proof of proficiency in spoken English.

The completed applications will then be forwarded to the Home Office by special delivery post.  Applications of this type can then be dealt with, on average, more quickly than those that are not properly completed.  Those using the service keep their passports and other important documents rather than send them to the Home Office.

Applicants must satisfy three main criteria.  They must have an appropriate residential address dependent on the section of the Immigration Act under which they are applying and must have been granted indefinite Leave to Remain in the United Kingdom and they must have proficiency in the English language. 

You do not have to use such a service and can apply directly to the Home Office if you prefer, or use a solicitor.  However the checking service allows you to keep your passport and does not restrict your travel plans while your application is under consideration by the Home Office.

In the North Wales area the local council that can help you with this service is Conwy County Borough Council.  They can be contacted on 01492 574043.  Please contact them direct to find out about the procedure and the fees charged.