ejnichls

Hello, I moved to the US when I was 18. I am moving back to the UK 30 years later with my American husband. American husband is applying for a spousal visa to reside in the UK. Meanwhile, I am a Brit, with 2 British parents, but I have only an American Passport (was naturalized as US citizen in 2003). My UK passport is lost. We are leaving for the UK in about a month. How do I get through UK immigration with the intent to reside? I have an original birth certificate. Is this enough for now to get through immigration until I get a British passport (which takes 6 weeks?)
Thanks for any advice.

BritInParis

Did you not need to include your British passport as part of your husband's visa application?

ejnichls

I submitted my US passport, my naturalization certificate (stating my nationality is UK) and also an original UK birth certificate.

BritInParis

I suspect this may cause you difficulties.

Vadio

You stated that you intend to move to the UK in about a month? Has the spouse visa been approved?

colchar

Do they not have an express passport service? I know Canada does but it costs a lot.

MarkJP

Probably, you should immediately submit your passport application online, and express courier your completed forms and documents and picture, and definitely include an explanation that you need the passport ASAP. Then contact the British Embassy in the US and tell them the situation, and they could tell you how to get emergency travel documents from them, in case you don't get your passport in time.

You want to show up in the UK with correct UK travel documents for yourself, and a completed and granted spousal visa for your spouse, otherwise you might only get a temporary visitor visa, in which case you both probably would have to leave and re-enter the UK to complete the process...

BritInParis

I would concerned that the spousal visa application won't go through without submitting your British passport as proof of your citizenship. I guess you'll just have to wait and see now.

If it is granted then I highly recommend applying for your British passport or at least an ETD before you leave the US. If your husband arrives in the UK with a spousal visa on the basis of your British citizenship but you only have a US passport then that is going to look very strange indeed.

ejnichls

Thanks. Yes, we have realized that we need to go to the British consulate here in Atlanta to get a UK passports (for me and child) pronto...

British Consul

Please call before going to the Consulate. Issuing Emergency Travel Documents to adults and children who have never held a British passport can take time, and you'll need to supply additional documentation before they offer you an appointment. Please call (404) 954 7700 and select option 2. You can also learn more about an ETD at www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document.

Dean

ejnichls

Thank you for your response. we may need to travel on a US passport until we get British ones, and just have a return ticket to the US, which we'll need anyway to visit relatives throughout the year...that should solve the problem.