Renewing a UK passport
 

My passport expires beg May 2013. I am travelling to Orlando at the end of Sept and need to travel back to the UK mid Nov returning late Dec when my passport will have less than 6 months.

My problem is that Washington need the photo's to be signed (something you dont need in the UK when renewing a passport if you haven't changed much). The person signing has to be a British Citizen which is impossible as I dont know any Brits in Canada or a Canadian of a profession that I have known for more than 2 years also impossible as I have only lived here 12 months.

Does anyone know if I can get the photo's signed in the UK and travel back to Canada with less than 6 months on the passport as I have a PR card.

My only other option would be to book a return ticket and hope I can get an appointment in London when I return hoping they have an available slot.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

No problem.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

Sorry does that mean I can.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

Yes you can travel back on the passport with less than 6 months as you have a PR card.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

think the 6 months rule is if you are a visitor, if you have PR then you can stay :)

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

I'm not sure you even need a counter signature. Read this:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ntersignatures

"Who needs a counter signature:
- All first time adult applications
- All applications for replacement passport to replace lost, stolen, or damaged passport applications
- All first time child applications
- Children’s renewal applications up to the age of 12
- Renewing a passport when your appearance has changed so much that it would be hard to recognise you from the photo in your last or current passport"


Since your application is a renewal, it looks like you shouldn't need a counter signature unless your appearance has changed dramatically from your previous passport. Also, even if you do need a counter signature, there is a workaround for applicants who can't provide one:


"If you are unable to provide a counter signature, because you have recently moved to the country of application or are short-term visitors, provided our consular staff have no doubts regarding your identity you may not need to provide a counter signature. Proof of identity may include your previous passport bearing a photograph showing that you are clearly the same person, or any other photographic ID may be acceptable."

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

My recent renewal of my UK passport via Washington did not require the pics to be countersigned, and my old passport was at least 5 years expired (so 15 years since the old pictures)

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

If all else fails you can make a declaration in front of a notary that you don't know anyone who can sign.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

Yep, you don't need the photos signed unless your appearance has changed dramatically since your last passport. I'm doing ours at the moment.

If you do need a signature, it does not have to be a Brit, they will take any commonwealth, Irish or EU of certain occupations, failing that, then someone who holds a passport in the country you live in. they just have to have known you for 2 years, although they can even get around that if need be it seems - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ntersignatures

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

Renewed mine last year. They dont need to be counter signed.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

If you are travelling back to the UK, another option is to apply there in person. You pay a premium but at least you get the passport quickly.

My friend who travels frequently for work and cannot afford to be without a passport just makes an appointment flies in with one passport and then flies out with his new one.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

My daughter's passport runs our in March, i already have the form, and got the counter signatory from the UK before i left in June so have all that, as she is only 8. My question is what happens to her visa that is in her old passport? Do i leave it in, take it out, will she get a new one with her new passport number on? I know it will run out when her passport does, but i intend renewing her passport in the next few weeks. Will i then i have to contact CIC for a new visa with the new passport number etc and get it extended?

Hope someone knows as i have looked online but can't find the answers, and im sure someone on here must have had the experience.

thanks

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

What is your daughter's status in Canada?

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

I did put it in another thread, but we had ours back from Washington/UK within 2 weeks, including postage in both directions. They are very quick at the moment.

I had the option of doing it in the UK, but couldn't take the risk that it wouldn't be back in time for my return flight.

Re: Renewing a UK passport
 

You get the old passport back. I think you may have to specify that you want it back. I renewed a couple of months ago (via Washington). The new one arrived in about a month. The old one came separately a couple of days later. Security reasons, I think.