BrowsePetitions#708690
PETITIONClosedPetition · petition.parliament.uk

Abolish the requirement for two referees in the British citizenship application

We, the undersigned, call upon the UK Government to abolish the requirement for two referees in the British citizenship application. We believe this system is outdated and should be replaced with a fairer and more inclusive method that does not rely on personal connections.

Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
32
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 32/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 32/100,000
Background
We believe this requirement, while seemingly a minor administrative measure, disproportionately impacts applicants and creates an unnecessary barrier to naturalization. Applicants may struggle to find individuals who meet the stringent referee requirements. We think referees add an additional layer of bureaucracy that does not significantly enhance the Home Office's ability to assess applications. Technology and modern administrative practices could offer alternative ways to verify identity and character.