Choosing referees for your British citizenship application

The rule, simply

• Referee 1: A person of any nationality, holding a "professional position" from the accepted list.
• Referee 2: Either (a) a person of any nationality holding a professional position, OR (b) a British citizen aged 25 or over.

So if you have one professional friend (e.g., an accountant or doctor) and one British friend over 25 who is NOT in a professional role, that combination works. Two professionals also works. Two non-professional Brits does NOT work.

The full list of accepted professional positions

The Home Office publishes a specific list. Anyone holding one of these positions can sign as referee:

Who CANNOT be a referee

• Anyone related to you by blood, marriage, civil partnership, or co-habitation
• Anyone living at the same address as you
• Your immigration solicitor or anyone working on your case
• Anyone with a criminal record (within the past 10 years)
• Anyone who has been declared bankrupt
• People who don't know you personally — you must have known each other for 3+ years

What your referees sign

Each referee completes a section of your AN form (the citizenship application form) confirming:

• They've known you personally for at least 3 years
• The information in your application is correct to the best of their knowledge
• They're not related to you, not in the same household, not your immigration adviser, etc.
• They are of good character themselves (no convictions, not bankrupt)

They sign and date the referee declaration. They also provide a passport-style photograph signed on the back (this is verifying their identity).

Photo requirements for referees

Each referee provides a recent passport-style photograph of themselves. On the back, they write: "I certify that this is a true likeness of [referee's full name]" and they sign and date it. The photo gets submitted with your AN form.

If you struggle to find referees

• Your GP is often the easiest professional you'll know for 3+ years. Many GP practices will sign referee forms for a small fee (£10-25).
• Your accountant if you've used one consistently.
• A teacher from your child's school if you've been the parent contact for 3+ years.
• Your local councillor — usually happy to sign for residents, often free.
• Minister of religion / faith leader at a place of worship you regularly attend.

Some referees charge a fee to certify (it's a professional service for them). £10-30 is normal. Solicitors and notaries can charge more (£60-150).

Common mistakes

• Using a family member who happens to be a doctor or solicitor. Not allowed regardless of profession.
• Using your immigration solicitor. They have a conflict of interest and are explicitly excluded.
• Referee hasn't known you 3 years. A new colleague or new GP doesn't count.
• Referee photo not signed on the back. Common reason for application delays.
• Referee not a British citizen for Referee 2 (and not in a professional role). Make sure they meet at least one of the eligibility criteria.

The bottom line

Two referees. One of them must hold a professional position from the list above. The other can be a British citizen aged 25+ OR another professional. No family. No housemates. No solicitor. Met you 3+ years ago. Photos signed on the back.

Get this right and the referee section is the easiest part of the application. Get it wrong and you risk a 3-6 month delay while the Home Office asks for replacements.