EU settlement scheme

Changes to registration services

To keep customers and staff safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and to use our limited resources in the best way possible we have made changes to our registration services. Our current priority is arranging and providing death registrations, birth registrations and responding to enquiries about ceremonies that have already been booked with our Registrars.

European Settlement Scheme service

We are not offering European Settlement Scheme verification service at this current time. We will continue to review our service provision on an ongoing basis. Regular updates will be provided on our webpages.

If you’re a European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Swiss citizen, you and your family will be able to apply to get either settled or pre-settled status.

We are one of the local authorities supporting EU, EEA and Swiss citizens complete the ID verification part of the process.

Who can apply?

Information on who is required to apply for pre-settled or settled status can be found on the Gov.UK website.

The cost of the EU Settlement Identification Verification Service is £14 per person.

Identity verification

You’ll need a compatible Android phone or tablet if you want to scan your identity document yourself, this can be your own phone or tablet or someone else's.

If your mobile phone or other device doesn’t have near field communication (NFC) you can make an appointment to bring your ID document to us. We can scan and verify these for you. You will then be able to make an application for pre-settled or settled status.

We will not need to keep your ID document and in most cases you should not be asked to send your passport anywhere else during your application for pre-settled or settled status.

Please note that if you have already submitted your application for pre-settled or settled status then you are required to post your ID document to the Home Office even if you attend the local authority EU Settlement Service. If you have attempted self service and submitted your application without completing the ID verification process then please contact the Home Office.

Book an appointment

If you wish to book an appointment to use the EU Settlement service you can contact us:

• Email: chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
• Phone: 0300 123 7037

Appointments are available each Thursday morning between 9 am - 12pm at Chester Register Office, Goldsmith House, Goss Street, Chester CH1 2BG.

What should I bring to my appointment?

• your current valid biometric EU, EEA or Swiss passport or a valid Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
• a mobile phone that can receive text messages or a device that can receive email

Only the ID documents listed above can be checked by us, if you do not have one of these ID documents then you can find more information on the Gov.UK website.