Choosing a Referee for British Citizenship is an important part of a British citizenship application. For most adult applications, you need two referees who meet specific Home Office requirements. The person you choose must not only know you personally but must also meet rules about professional standing, British citizenship, age, and their relationship with you.

One referee can be of any nationality but must be a professional person. The second referee must normally hold a British citizen passport and be either a professional person or over 25. Both referees must normally have known you for at least three years. The Home Office specifically gives examples of suitable professional people, including ministers of religion, civil servants, accountants and solicitors who are not representing the applicant. This guide explains five valid professional roles, the main eligibility rules, common mistakes, child application differences, and what to check before submitting your application.

Who Can Be a Referee for British Citizenship?

A Referee for British Citizenship must satisfy the Home Office rules that apply to your particular nationality application.

For most adult British citizenship applications, you need two referees:

• The first referee can be of any nationality but must be a professional person.
• The second referee must normally hold a British citizen passport.
• The second referee must also be a professional person or over 25.
• Each referee must normally have known you for at least three years.
• Neither referee can be related to you.
• The two referees cannot be related to each other.
• Your solicitor or agent representing you with the application cannot act as your referee.
• A Home Office employee cannot act as your referee.
• The Home Office will not usually accept a referee who has been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the last 10 years.

These requirements mean that you should not choose someone simply because they have a respected job or because they have known you recently. You need to consider all the requirements together.

Understanding the Two Referee Requirements

One of the easiest ways to avoid confusion is to understand that the two referee positions have different requirements.

Referee	Main requirement
First referee	Any nationality + professional person
Second referee	British citizen passport holder + professional person or over 25
Both referees	Normally must have known you for at least 3 years
Both referees	Must not be related to you or each other
Both referees	Must not be your application representative
Both referees	Must not be employed by the Home Office

This distinction is important when selecting a Referee for British Citizenship. For example, you may know a professional accountant who has known you for five years. That person could potentially meet the first referee requirement. You would still normally need another person who satisfies the separate requirements for the second referee. The Home Office confirms that two referees are required to establish the applicant’s identity.

5 Valid Roles for a British Citizenship Referee

The Home Office lists several examples of professional people who can potentially act as referees.

The five useful categories are:

1. Minister of religion
2. Civil servant
3. Accountant
4. Solicitor
5. Member of a professional body

These roles can potentially satisfy the professional-standing requirement for the first referee. However, having one of these occupations does not automatically guarantee eligibility. The person must still satisfy the other requirements, especially the three-year personal-knowledge rule and the restrictions on relationships and representation.

Minister of Religion

A minister of religion can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship if they meet the relevant Home Office conditions. You may know a minister through your local religious community, place of worship or another established relationship. If the person has known you personally for at least three years and satisfies the other requirements, they may be suitable as your professional referee. The key point is that the minister must actually know you. You should not choose a religious leader simply because they hold an official religious position. If you have only met them briefly, they may not be able to satisfy the requirement to confirm that they have known you personally for the required period.

Before choosing a minister, check that:

• They have known you personally for at least three years.
• They are not related to you.
• They are not related to your second referee.
• They are not representing you in your citizenship application.
• They are not employed by the Home Office.
• They can provide the required information accurately.

A long-standing relationship with a minister may make this a practical option for applicants who have been active in a local religious or community setting.

Civil Servant

A civil servant can also potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship. The Home Office specifically identifies a civil servant as an example of a professional person who may qualify. However, applicants should not assume that every government employee automatically qualifies. The exact circumstances matter, and Home Office employees are specifically excluded.

If you know a civil servant personally, check that the person:

• Has known you for at least three years.
• Knows you personally rather than only through a brief professional contact.
• Is not related to you.
• Is not related to your other referee.
• Is not representing you with your application.
• Is not employed by the Home Office.

The civil servant should also understand what they are confirming when they complete and sign the referee declaration. Choosing someone who genuinely knows you is more important than choosing someone simply because their occupation appears on a professional list.

Accountant

An accountant can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship. The Home Office specifically gives a member of a professional body, such as an accountant, as an example of a professional person who can potentially act as a referee. This can be useful if you have known an accountant personally for several years. However, there is an important difference between professional contact and personal knowledge. For example, suppose you started using an accountant’s services eight months ago. The accountant may have the necessary professional standing, but eight months would not normally satisfy the three-year requirement for an adult application. If you have known the accountant personally for more than three years and they meet the other requirements, they may be a suitable option. Also remember that a professional person who is representing you with the same citizenship application cannot act as your referee.

Solicitor

A solicitor can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship because the Home Office specifically identifies a solicitor as an example of a professional person. There is an important restriction, however: the solicitor must not be representing you with the same citizenship application. For example, imagine that you have known a solicitor socially for six years. If that solicitor is not representing you in your citizenship application and meets the other requirements, they may potentially qualify. But if you have hired that solicitor to prepare or represent you with your British citizenship application, you should not use them as your referee. This rule shows why professional status alone is not enough.

When considering a solicitor, ask:

• Have they known me personally for at least three years?
• Are they independent from my application?
• Are they unrelated to me?
• Are they unrelated to my other referee?
• Are they not employed by the Home Office?

If the person meets the applicable requirements, they may be an option for the professional referee position.

Member of a Professional Body

A member of a professional body can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship if they have the required professional standing. This category covers people whose professional status comes through membership of a recognized professional body. The Home Office gives accountants and solicitors as examples. The important point is not simply the person’s job title. You should check whether the person genuinely has the professional standing required by the nationality guidance and whether they meet the other referee requirements. For example, a person may have a professional occupation but may not satisfy the specific conditions for your application. Similarly, a person may have the right professional status but may not have known you for three years. Check both aspects before asking them to sign your application.

How Long Must a Referee Know You?

Each adult applicant’s referee must normally have known them for at least three years. This is one of the most important rules when choosing a Referee for British Citizenship. The requirement concerns personal knowledge. It is not enough for someone to have seen your documents or dealt with you briefly.

For example:

• A colleague you have known for five years may potentially qualify if they meet the other requirements.
• An accountant you have used for four years may potentially qualify if they have sufficient professional standing and meet the other conditions.
• A new solicitor you met six months ago would normally not satisfy the three-year requirement.

Before entering a person’s details, make sure they can genuinely confirm that they have known you for the required period.

Does a Referee Have to Be British?

No, not both referees. The first referee can be of any nationality as long as they are a professional person who meets the applicable requirements. The second referee normally must hold a British citizen passport and must either be a professional person or be over the age of 25. This difference can be important for applicants who have professional contacts from different countries. If you are considering a Referee for British Citizenship, first decide which referee position that person would fill. Then check the specific requirements for that position. Do not assume that because someone qualifies for the first referee position, they automatically qualify for the second.

Can a Friend Be a Referee?

A friend can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship, provided the friend meets all the relevant requirements. Being a friend does not automatically make someone eligible, but it also does not automatically disqualify them. For example, a friend who is a professional person may potentially meet the first referee requirement. A friend who holds a British citizen passport and is over 25 may potentially meet the second referee requirement, subject to the other rules. The friend must normally have known you personally for at least three years.

The friend must also not be:

• Related to you
• Related to your other referee
• Your application representative
• Employed by the Home Office
• Disqualified under the relevant criminal-conviction rules

The relationship should be genuine, and the referee should be comfortable confirming the information they provide.

Can a Teacher Be a Referee?

The answer depends on the type of British citizenship application. For a standard adult application, the general referee rules apply. For a child application, however, the Home Office has an additional requirement. At least one referee for a child must normally be someone who has dealt with the child in a professional capacity. Examples include:

• Teacher
• Doctor
• Health visitor
• Social worker
• Minister of religion

The Home Office specifically identifies these professional roles for child applications. Therefore, a teacher may be an appropriate referee for a child if the teacher has dealt with the child professionally and satisfies the relevant requirements. Parents should not automatically apply the adult referee rules to a child’s application.

Special Referee Rules for Child Applications

Child citizenship applications have an important difference. At least one referee should normally have dealt with the child in a professional role. This helps provide an independent professional connection with the child. If a child cannot provide a referee who has dealt with them professionally, the Home Office guidance allows two referees who meet the adult criteria in certain circumstances. The applicant must provide evidence showing that they attempted to find an appropriate professional referee. This means parents and guardians should check the exact application route before selecting a Referee for British Citizenship. The requirements can depend on whether the applicant is an adult or child and on the particular nationality form being used.

Who Cannot Act as Your Referee?

It is just as important to understand who cannot act as a Referee for British Citizenship.

The Home Office states that referees must not normally be:

• Related to the applicant
• Related to the other referee
• The applicant’s solicitor or agent representing them with the application
• Employed by the Home Office

The Home Office also states that it will not usually accept a referee who has been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the last 10 years. This means that a person may have an otherwise suitable profession but still be unsuitable because of one of these restrictions. Always check the complete eligibility picture rather than focusing only on the person’s occupation.

Can Your Immigration Solicitor Be Your Referee?

Generally, no, if the solicitor or agent is representing you with the same a Referee for British Citizenship application. A solicitor can otherwise be an example of a professional person, but the Home Office specifically excludes a solicitor who is representing the applicant with that application. This distinction is important. For example, a solicitor who has been your family friend for many years may potentially qualify if they meet the other requirements and are not representing you. A solicitor you have hired to handle your citizenship application should not act as your referee. If your immigration adviser is also a qualified solicitor, choose another eligible person who is independent of your application.

What If a Referee Has a Criminal Conviction?

The Home Office states that it will not usually accept a referee who has been convicted of an imprisonable offence during the last 10 years. Checks may be carried out to confirm that referees meet the requirements and that their signatures are genuine. This is another reason to check your referee’s eligibility before submitting the application. If you are unsure about a person’s eligibility because of their criminal record, do not simply assume that their professional status makes them acceptable. Check the current official guidance for your application route.

What If You Live Outside the UK?

Applicants living outside the UK can face an additional issue if they do not know an eligible a Referee for British Citizenship. The Home Office provides a specific provision for applicants living abroad who do not know a British citizen passport holder who is qualified to act as a referee. In certain circumstances, a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the country where the applicant lives may be able to complete and sign the form if they have professional standing, have known the applicant for three years, and the Consul considers the signature acceptable. This is a specific exception, so applicants living overseas should check the current guidance for their particular application rather than assuming that any local professional can act as a substitute.

What Information Does a Referee Provide?

A referee provides information that helps the Home Office establish your identity and confirm that the referee meets the required conditions. Depending on the application form, the referee may need to provide information such as:

• Full name
• Profession
• Contact details
• Relationship with the applicant
• Length of time they have known the applicant
• Relevant declaration
• Signature

The information should be accurate and consistent with the application. A referee should understand what they are confirming before signing. Do not ask someone to sign the form merely as a favour if they do not know you personally or do not understand the declaration.

How the Home Office Checks Referees

The Home Office can carry out checks to confirm that a Referee for British Citizenship are qualified and that their signatures are genuine. The guidance also states that checks may be made concerning unspent convictions. Applicants should therefore choose genuine referees and provide accurate information. Providing false information knowingly or recklessly can have serious consequences under the British Nationality Act 1981. Your referee should never sign a form without understanding the information they are confirming.

What Happens If Your Referee Does Not Qualify?

If the Home Office identifies that a Referee for British Citizenship does not meet the requirements, it may ask you to provide a different referee. The nationality policy guidance specifically explains that where it is clear that a referee does not meet the requirements, the applicant should be asked to provide another referee. This can create additional work and potentially delay the application process. Checking the referee before submission is therefore a sensible step. If you discover that your chosen person does not meet one of the requirements, replace them with someone who clearly qualifies rather than hoping the issue will be overlooked.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When choosing a Referee for British Citizenship, several mistakes are easy to make.

Choosing someone who has known you for less than three years

Professional standing does not normally replace the three-year personal-knowledge requirement.

Choosing your application solicitor

Your solicitor or agent representing you with the same application cannot act as your referee.

Choosing a Home Office employee

Home Office employees are excluded from acting as referees.

Choosing a relative

A referee cannot normally be related to you.

Choosing two related referees

The two referees must not be related to each other.

Forgetting the British citizen passport requirement

The second adult referee normally needs to hold a British citizen passport.

Assuming every professional qualifies

A professional job title alone does not guarantee eligibility. The person must meet all the applicable conditions.

Choosing someone who does not know you personally

A referee should genuinely know you and be able to confirm your identity.

A Simple Way to Choose Your Two Referees

A practical way to select a Referee for British Citizenship is to start with people who have known you personally for at least three years. Create a short list of possible candidates. Then divide them into two groups:

Group 1: Professional candidates

Look for someone with professional standing who could potentially serve as the first referee.

Group 2: British citizen candidates

Look for someone who holds a British citizen passport and is either a professional person or over 25. Then check both groups against the remaining restrictions.

Ask each candidate:

1. Have you known me personally for at least three years?
2. Are you eligible for this referee position?
3. Are you related to me?
4. Are you related to my other referee?
5. Are you representing me in this citizenship application?
6. Are you employed by the Home Office?
7. Can you provide accurate information and sign the declaration?

This simple process can help you identify problems before you submit the application.

British Citizenship Referee Checklist

Before submitting your application, review the following checklist.

First referee

• Professional person
• Any nationality
• Known you personally for at least three years
• Not related to you
• Not related to the second referee
• Not your application representative
• Not employed by the Home Office
• Meets the relevant criminal-conviction requirements

Second referee

• British citizen passport holder
• Professional person or over 25
• Known you personally for at least three years
• Not related to you
• Not related to the first referee
• Not your application representative
• Not employed by the Home Office
• Meets the relevant criminal-conviction requirements

If both people satisfy these conditions, they may be suitable referees for an adult application.

Five Professional Roles at a Glance

Role	Can potentially qualify?	Key point
Minister of religion	Yes	Must meet all other requirements
Civil servant	Yes	Home Office employees are excluded
Accountant	Yes	Professional standing and three-year relationship matter
Solicitor	Yes	Cannot represent you in the same application
Member of a professional body	Yes	Must have the required professional standing

These roles are examples provided by Home Office guidance. They should not be treated as an automatic guarantee of eligibility for every individual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an accountant be a Referee for British Citizenship?

Yes. An accountant can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship if they have the required professional standing, have known you personally for at least three years and meet the other conditions.

Can a solicitor be a referee?

Yes, a solicitor can potentially qualify as a Referee for British Citizenship, but they cannot be representing you with the same citizenship application.

Does my referee have to be British?

No. The first referee can be of any nationality if they are a professional person. The second referee normally needs to hold a British citizen passport and be a professional person or over 25.

Can my friend be a referee?

Yes, a friend can potentially be a Referee for British Citizenship if they meet the relevant requirements. Friendship itself neither qualifies nor disqualifies someone.

Can a teacher act as a referee?

A teacher can be particularly relevant to a child citizenship application because at least one referee should normally have dealt with the child professionally.

Can a family member be my referee?

No. A referee must not normally be related to the applicant.

How long must my referee know me?

Each referee must normally have known the adult applicant for at least three years.

Can two referees be related?

No. The two referees must not be related to each other.

Can my immigration adviser be my referee?

Not if that person is acting as your representative for the same citizenship application.

Can a Home Office employee act as my referee?

No. Home Office employees are specifically excluded.

What if I cannot find an eligible British citizen?

If you are living outside the UK and cannot find a qualifying British citizen passport holder, special provisions may apply. Check the current Home Office guidance for your application before selecting an alternative.

Conclusion 

Choosing a Referee for British Citizenship becomes much easier when you understand the difference between the two referee positions. For most adult applications, you need two referees. The first can be of any nationality but must be a professional person. The second normally needs to hold a British citizen passport and be either a professional person or over 25. Both referees must normally have known you personally for at least three years. They must also meet the restrictions concerning relatives, representatives, Home Office employment and relevant criminal convictions.

The five professional roles discussed in this guide minister of religion, civil servant, accountant, solicitor and member of a professional body are useful examples when looking for an eligible professional referee. Before submitting your application, check the latest GOV.UK guidance for your exact citizenship route. Requirements can differ for adult applications, child applications and different registration or naturalization forms. The most important step is to choose people who genuinely know you, meet the relevant eligibility rules and can provide truthful information about your relationship with you.