UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
#212
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Ian
#213
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I was panicking, because they said after 3 declines, on their website, it would be returned to me. We have since had other problems and still haven't received it - application sent February 18, 2011. Charged March 23, 2011. Passport office informed us May 2, 2011 that although we sent my son's long form birth certificate, we sent MY short form. I guess it says somewhere that we should have sent my long form ... we were very careful to make sure we sent HIS long form .. it is his passport application! I guess, I missed that we should send MY long form ????~ They make this application very difficult!
My son is entitled to a passport from another country too, as a result of my dual nationality. The country is irrelevant, but I got my renewal in 5 weeks last year, even though I had to send additional info. The communication. was great. No long phone menus to go through and you can talk to a LIVE person at anytime, if you prefer. That is so nice, because when you are stressed a automated phone doesn't cut it.
I know hindsight is 20/20, but oh do I wish we had just applied for that one instead. I am proud to be British, but it seems like many of us are having a lot of trouble getting a passport. My son is over in the UK right now on an ER passport. We had to amend his trip, because it expires on May 15, 2011 and he was not due to return until May 18th.
This whole process has been very stressful. Like I said, we applied Feb 18. Charged March 23. The embassy informed us May 2 that there was a problem ... Careline weren't even able to help in mid April ~ we got an ER passport May 12 for travel to London May 13. When the embassy called me the other day to tell me they could not issue his full passport, they didn't even know that he was already over there on an emergency passport ???? Yet, the guy in Washington, DC said, "We are so much more thorough than the USA... we don't just give anyone a passport. We make sure that the person is entitled. Yes we are living in the USA (have for past 26 years), but we are not US citizens. I am not sure what prompted that statement; I guess I just showed dismay that it was the fact they didn't have his mother's LONG form birth certificate ???? I have asked quite a few people, "DO you have easy access to your mother's long form birth certificate?" Not one person said, "YES." ~ It is only required if the person applying was born after 1982.
Now, we will just wait for his passport. I am sending my long form birth certificate I just received. My son will be on his way home May 15th.
I wish all of you the best in getting your passports on time
#214
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Ian
#215
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
It is Ireland ... I was born there and my father is Irish, too. My mother is English. I hold both passports. My son has always been entitled to an Irish passport. We just haven't done it ... Right now, kind of wish we had. It will all work out, though.
I just empathize with all of those on here right now. This passport stuff has been very stressful; more so, because we make phone calls and rarely get answers. In the mean time, our hair gets more grey by the minute!
I just empathize with all of those on here right now. This passport stuff has been very stressful; more so, because we make phone calls and rarely get answers. In the mean time, our hair gets more grey by the minute!
Last edited by ExPatinIndiana; May 6th 2011 at 6:18 pm.
#217
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
After calling Careline last night, I was told that my name was not even in the system. My money order has yet to be cashed.
The first lady I spoke to couldnt really tell me much but cost me $$.
I logged back in and I had received some advice from the Consul.
I called Careline back with the Consuls words of advice and they couldnt esculate my passport because it has yet to pass through passport examiners. I did press the guy on the phone, who DID take my number, info and even flight number and said that I should get a call by Monday.
SIGH!!
However, this same guy adviced me to call my local consulate. I did this morning and I have an appointment 2 days before Departure for an Emergency Document.. I cant really complain..
My only concern is that the ED will be in my maiden name and my flight is in my Married name. Ill see what can be done.. but I believe the worst is over.
Hopefully, by the time I get back, my passport will be here.
Lesson learnt: will apply from London next time!!!
Good luck everyone
The first lady I spoke to couldnt really tell me much but cost me $$.
I logged back in and I had received some advice from the Consul.
I called Careline back with the Consuls words of advice and they couldnt esculate my passport because it has yet to pass through passport examiners. I did press the guy on the phone, who DID take my number, info and even flight number and said that I should get a call by Monday.
SIGH!!
However, this same guy adviced me to call my local consulate. I did this morning and I have an appointment 2 days before Departure for an Emergency Document.. I cant really complain..
My only concern is that the ED will be in my maiden name and my flight is in my Married name. Ill see what can be done.. but I believe the worst is over.
Hopefully, by the time I get back, my passport will be here.
Lesson learnt: will apply from London next time!!!
Good luck everyone
Dean
#218
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I have thought about it ... For me it is no big deal. My husband is American & I have never really had any issue not being. My son as young as he is, probably yes ... Might not be a bad idea. Then, the USA want to take your UK passport away, though ... We can always reapply, but that isn't the point!
#219
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
My mum didn't lose her British passport when she became an American citizen. I doubt they even asked her for it. Maybe things have changed since then; she became a citizen in the late 90's, when things were very loose as far as US citizenship was concerned (according to a DHS immigration prosecutor I know).
#220
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Quincy MA
Posts: 56
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Has anyone done the send your passport renewal to a relative in the UK. My passport expires in August and i was wondering if this way works and what the time line is, plus i believe it saves some money too
#221
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,248
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I have thought about it ... For me it is no big deal. My husband is American & I have never really had any issue not being. My son as young as he is, probably yes ... Might not be a bad idea. Then, the USA want to take your UK passport away, though ... We can always reapply, but that isn't the point!
#222
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 221
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Except fight against them should the US go to war against them.
#223
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Interestingly - this is a really arcane note - I read online that a new passport design came into use last fall, but my new passport is the "bird" design that has been used since the UK went biometric. I read that the new design would be phased in (must be using up old stock), but I thought that process would be done by now. This is NOT a complaint; obviously I my passport, thanks, IPS!
Dean
#224
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
The FCO home page suggests it is still responsible for passports outside the UK:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ad/passports1/
Given the ongoing problems with issuing passports in Washington, the sooner processing moves to the UK the better. For whatever reason, the Passport Office in Britain doesn't have these regular crises of "excessive demand" - at least, not since 1999. When there was a lot of attention focused on the Passport Office and how they run their operations.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ad/passports1/
Given the ongoing problems with issuing passports in Washington, the sooner processing moves to the UK the better. For whatever reason, the Passport Office in Britain doesn't have these regular crises of "excessive demand" - at least, not since 1999. When there was a lot of attention focused on the Passport Office and how they run their operations.
The Foreign Office websites are, however, the portal for all UK government services offered overseas.
Dean
#225
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Dean i would like to thank you for taking the time to addr the treatment i recieved and want you to know that the information you have provided is greatly appreciated ....Its just a shame that the other consulates throughout the country dont take the same interest as in reading various threads i get the feeling that it is becoming the norm for British Citenzens to be treated poorly .So thanks for restoring some faith lol.... I will defenetly be making my the treatment i rceived known about .... In regards to the Careline the gentlemen i spoke to was very friendly and the information he gave me let me know what to expect. I have a feeling i will have to spend much more of my hard earned money ,to have this taken care of and i do still have enough faith it will betaken care of before i have to leave .
Dean