Has anyone here used the "new" system of sending their passport to the US for renewal?

If so, how long did it take to get the new one, and did you get your old one back, or do you have to ask to have it returned (cancelled)?

I did mine about 18 months ago. It was back in three weeks with the old cancelled one. I have heard of people waiting longer though.

Ours took about 3 months.

Two months. Easy process.

Thanks all. I'm glad they send the old pp back! There are some long waiting times there....

We got some new ones recently (last month) and they only took two to three weeks to arrive. We were away for just over a week and they were here waiting for us when we returned. The old passports arrived back separately a few days later.

I did it a couple of years ago. Was no problem at all. Even had to phone them to find out if it was in process, and staff were very helpful indeed. Think it took about three weeks total to get it back.

Thanks both. I'm a bit wary of phoning.... it's $2 per minute or something daft now, isn't it?

It took 3 weeks in October. Very straightforward

My son's Canadian passport took longer and they even phoned about the guarantor for a simple renewal.

Depends on the time of year, busier during the June/July summer rush. Washington had some very well publicised problems last year, but the rush is over for this year, so expect two to four weeks presuming there are no issues with your application.

When you receive your new passport, check it thoroughly for errors. Mine was incorrect and I got stung for $40 of call charges for advice, then the entire processing fee a second time, to correct their administrative error. If the error goes unnoticed for more than a month then they won't admit fault and you have to re-apply from scratch.

If it was their error, it should be reissued free of charge and any Careline charges refunded as long as it's returned within six months. If you returned yours within six months, you should have been refunded, not charged again.

http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...oblem-passport

Mine came back yesterday. It took four weeks. No sign of the old passport but maybe it'll come later.

I was surprised my application wasn't rejected. I'd let my photos become older than they are allowed to be. I took a chance.