Every new British citizen aged 18 or over must attend a citizenship ceremony at their local council and either swear an oath or make an affirmation. The wording is fixed by statute. The oath uses the words "I swear by Almighty God"; the affirmation uses "I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm". Both then continue with the same sentence: that you will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, according to law.
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After the oath or affirmation you give a separate pledge: "I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen." The pledge introduces the five fundamental British values that the rest of the citizenship test is built around — democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance.
You can choose freely between the religious oath and the secular affirmation; neither carries any legal advantage. The ceremony is conducted by a registrar, usually accompanied by a senior councillor or the mayor, and finishes with the national anthem. From that moment you are a British citizen with the right to apply for a British passport.
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