Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Aug 16th 2005, 1:17 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 23
Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
I'm a landed immigrant living in Ontario and my UK passport expires in August.
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
Aug 16th 2005, 1:32 pm
#2
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by mark_in_2k
I'm a landed immigrant living in Ontario and my UK passport expires in August.
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
Go into passports/passport forms and look in the notes for form C1.
You are cutting it a bit fine mate.
Aug 16th 2005, 2:18 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 23
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
I know it's a little too close for comfort!!!
I can't seem to speak to anyone in Ottawa! All I get is recorded info!
I can't seem to speak to anyone in Ottawa! All I get is recorded info!
Originally Posted by Souvenir
It's all there on www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk
Go into passports/passport forms and look in the notes for form C1.
You are cutting it a bit fine mate.
Go into passports/passport forms and look in the notes for form C1.
You are cutting it a bit fine mate.
Aug 16th 2005, 2:36 pm
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: montreal
Posts: 490
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
i hear you! i have never had such service ! the uk consulate in ottawa kept me hanging for 30 minutes and they dont even have a toll free number. I was totally disgusted and i told them so . they told me , after a 30 minute wait to get the answers to my question on the website after all that !its www.britainincanada.org. good luck!
Aug 16th 2005, 2:36 pm
#5
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by mark_in_2k
I'm a landed immigrant living in Ontario and my UK passport expires in August.
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
I've filled out my application form to renew it as I'm travelling in Sept to the UK.
Now, the form says that I have to send my birth cert. as proof, but is this just for a new passport? Can't I just send in my still-valid UK passport as proof of ID?
I did see it somewhere on the consulates website that I could, but I can't find it anymore.
Can anyone tell me?
Aug 16th 2005, 2:46 pm
#6
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
You might have better luck if you contact them via email. I got next-day response when I did that a couple of years back.
Aug 16th 2005, 2:57 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: canada Bradford
Posts: 183
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by Souvenir
You might have better luck if you contact them via email. I got next-day response when I did that a couple of years back.
You just need the passport you have now and the forms to renew yours,i have renewed 2 passports at ottawa.
Aug 16th 2005, 3:24 pm
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 23
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Thanks for the info.
I just checked out the UK Passport site and they say:
I just hope they process it quickly! I fly out Sept 6th :scared:
How long does it usually take? There was a section on the app that asked when I will be travelling. Hopefully I get it before!
I just checked out the UK Passport site and they say:
You can renew your existing standard 10 year British passport once it expires, is full or is shortly due to expire. You will need a standard application form, your current passport, two, identical recent passport photographs and payment. Your form will not need to be countersigned (section 10) or the photographs certified if you can still be recognised from the photograph in your current passport. A new valid passport will be issued. Please note that your old passport will be cancelled. Please be aware that this may invalidate any visas in the passport. You are recommended to contact the issuing authorities to confirm whether an unexpired visa in a cancelled passport remains valid.
How long does it usually take? There was a section on the app that asked when I will be travelling. Hopefully I get it before!
Originally Posted by debbyathome
You just need the passport you have now and the forms to renew yours,i have renewed 2 passports at ottawa.
Aug 16th 2005, 4:05 pm
#9
Invisi... K
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Montreal, Canada (from London, UK)
Posts: 3,760
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
i just renewed my passport... took 6 weeks from sending it and finally getting it back.
you can supposedly expediate the process, you need to check the website.
Don't bother trying to call, as you've already found out, you just get automated responses. But email does work... got a reply about 24hrs later.
For the fast process, i think you will have to pay extra...
PS: you don't need your birth certificate... i sent my old passport as proof. Just follow the application form... it is all explained
you can supposedly expediate the process, you need to check the website.
Don't bother trying to call, as you've already found out, you just get automated responses. But email does work... got a reply about 24hrs later.
For the fast process, i think you will have to pay extra...
PS: you don't need your birth certificate... i sent my old passport as proof. Just follow the application form... it is all explained
Aug 16th 2005, 4:23 pm
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 23
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Are you travelling soon? On the 1st page of the app. form it asks you to state when you are travelling, so I put Sept 5th (a day before I actually fly out).
I'm hoping that they will speed up the processing. I'm going to England for a just-announced wedding, which is why I'm a bit late!
I'm hoping that they will speed up the processing. I'm going to England for a just-announced wedding, which is why I'm a bit late!
Originally Posted by ksct97
i just renewed my passport... took 6 weeks from sending it and finally getting it back.
you can supposedly expediate the process, you need to check the website.
Don't bother trying to call, as you've already found out, you just get automated responses. But email does work... got a reply about 24hrs later.
For the fast process, i think you will have to pay extra...
PS: you don't need your birth certificate... i sent my old passport as proof. Just follow the application form... it is all explained
you can supposedly expediate the process, you need to check the website.
Don't bother trying to call, as you've already found out, you just get automated responses. But email does work... got a reply about 24hrs later.
For the fast process, i think you will have to pay extra...
PS: you don't need your birth certificate... i sent my old passport as proof. Just follow the application form... it is all explained
Aug 16th 2005, 7:16 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
I had to renew my passport recently from within Canada. It's in the instructions to allow at least 4 weeks for processing (though according to the British High Commission's website, it's currently taking 6 weeks). I sent mine on June 15th and put the date I travelled as July 25th to allow for a bit more time than they said. I included my birth cert. just in case and only received my new passport 2 days ago! No response when I emailed to check everything was in order. So I'd definitely have it expedited if possible, it might cost a lot more but you don't want any last minute panics...
Aug 16th 2005, 7:35 pm
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 23
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
I just mailed off my renewal application, so they will receive it tomorrow.
Is there any way that I can get in touch with them to see if they will expedite for me. I also sent the credit card authorisation form so they will charge my card, but I could also ask them to add on the "expedite" fee to the total bill.
If only I could get hold of someone there!
Is there any way that I can get in touch with them to see if they will expedite for me. I also sent the credit card authorisation form so they will charge my card, but I could also ask them to add on the "expedite" fee to the total bill.
If only I could get hold of someone there!
Originally Posted by Remya
I had to renew my passport recently from within Canada. It's in the instructions to allow at least 4 weeks for processing (though according to the British High Commission's website, it's currently taking 6 weeks). I sent mine on June 15th and put the date I travelled as July 25th to allow for a bit more time than they said. I included my birth cert. just in case and only received my new passport 2 days ago! No response when I emailed to check everything was in order. So I'd definitely have it expedited if possible, it might cost a lot more but you don't want any last minute panics...
Aug 16th 2005, 7:49 pm
#13
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Mainland, B.C.
Posts: 165
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by zalaben
i hear you! i have never had such service ! the uk consulate in ottawa kept me hanging for 30 minutes and they dont even have a toll free number. I was totally disgusted and i told them so . they told me , after a 30 minute wait to get the answers to my question on the website after all that !its www.britainincanada.org. good luck!
Aug 16th 2005, 8:04 pm
#14
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by AnnetteM
I had the same experience with the British consulate last December. I had already sent in my passport for early renewal, then needed to rush back as my Mum was dying. Panic set in when I realised my passport was still in Ottawa. Phone calls are useless even in an emergency. I had to resort to sending an email, pleading for a response - which I got the following day. It was a form letter, no help at all. I finally got my passport back after another 4 days, but it was too late, my Mum passed away the day I flew out. If I could only have left 2 days earlier.
It's a bit late now but in situations like that the Consular Section is probably the best place to aim at. The section is there to help Britons in distress (and you can get to speak with a human). I think you qualified as being distressed. They could probably have "had a word". I used to work in a High Commission (not UK) and I know that stuff can get done real quick when necessary.
Aug 16th 2005, 8:07 pm
#15
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Lower Mainland, B.C.
Posts: 165
Re: Renewing my UK passport in Canada. Do I need my birth cert?
Originally Posted by Souvenir
Sorry to hear about that.
It's a bit late now but in situations like that the Consular Section is probably the best place to aim at. The section is there to help Britons in distress (and you can get to speak with a human). I think you qualified as being distressed. They could probably have "had a word". I used to work in a High Commission (not UK) and I know that stuff can get done real quick when necessary.
It's a bit late now but in situations like that the Consular Section is probably the best place to aim at. The section is there to help Britons in distress (and you can get to speak with a human). I think you qualified as being distressed. They could probably have "had a word". I used to work in a High Commission (not UK) and I know that stuff can get done real quick when necessary.