Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Jun 7th 2014, 1:40 am
#406
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Hi,
My son was born in Kenya in August 2013. My husband and I are both British citizens and passport holders (other than by descent). We submitted his passport application to the UK, Durham office, in December last year. It has still not been completed and when I call for updates I am told it is still undergoing routing security checks. The website advises the minimum time for processing is 12 weeks, which have expired. They will not advise on how long the application could take to be completed and there is no maximum time (which is quite worrying...).
Has anyone else experienced delays with the applications for first passports for a child born overseas? Or has anyone recently applied from Kenya, via the UK, and if so could you please advise on how long the application took? Also, any tips on ways to expedite the process?
Many thanks.
My son was born in Kenya in August 2013. My husband and I are both British citizens and passport holders (other than by descent). We submitted his passport application to the UK, Durham office, in December last year. It has still not been completed and when I call for updates I am told it is still undergoing routing security checks. The website advises the minimum time for processing is 12 weeks, which have expired. They will not advise on how long the application could take to be completed and there is no maximum time (which is quite worrying...).
Has anyone else experienced delays with the applications for first passports for a child born overseas? Or has anyone recently applied from Kenya, via the UK, and if so could you please advise on how long the application took? Also, any tips on ways to expedite the process?
Many thanks.
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
Jun 7th 2014, 6:53 pm
#407
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 12
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
Jun 7th 2014, 6:54 pm
#408
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 69
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Jun 7th 2014, 6:55 pm
#409
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 69
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
Jun 7th 2014, 7:02 pm
#410
Just Joined
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
72 hours! Don't believe that parrot they have in their email response team. You will never hear from anyone. Call the office where your passport has gone to. Liverpool office numbers are in one of threads here.
They are trying all the tricks in the world to delay the process for people.
Some guy from Liverpool office called and told me that it will be ready in the next 2 weeks. Indeed!
It is 5 weeks since he said that. Still haven't got my son's passport.
This is the most pathetic service ever!
They are trying all the tricks in the world to delay the process for people.
Some guy from Liverpool office called and told me that it will be ready in the next 2 weeks. Indeed!
It is 5 weeks since he said that. Still haven't got my son's passport.
This is the most pathetic service ever!
Jun 8th 2014, 12:50 am
#411
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
72 hours! Don't believe that parrot they have in their email response team. You will never hear from anyone. Call the office where your passport has gone to. Liverpool office numbers are in one of threads here.
They are trying all the tricks in the world to delay the process for people.
Some guy from Liverpool office called and told me that it will be ready in the next 2 weeks. Indeed!
It is 5 weeks since he said that. Still haven't got my son's passport.
This is the most pathetic service ever!
They are trying all the tricks in the world to delay the process for people.
Some guy from Liverpool office called and told me that it will be ready in the next 2 weeks. Indeed!
It is 5 weeks since he said that. Still haven't got my son's passport.
This is the most pathetic service ever!
Jun 8th 2014, 6:30 am
#412
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 34
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Same here. .applied for my son from egypt 11 weeks ago, they had the payment on 17th of march 2014 , application sent to Durham. Thier website said 6 weeks now it says 12 weeks..why they need all that time?
Jun 8th 2014, 6:31 am
#413
Looking Around~
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: England
Posts: 1,550
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
i'm at 10 weeks (im in china)
Jun 8th 2014, 4:35 pm
#416
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 27
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Hi all,
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
I was just wondering if anyone has any progress with their passports? I' haven't received my son's passport and my husband has to return to the UK for his work. The prospect of being alone in Australia with my seven month old is far from ideal. I'm absolutely shocked by the way this situation is being handled by the passport office. I can fully understand that delays etc happen but their refusal to provide any information about where my son's passport is in the 'queue' and even a rough timescale is positively obstructive. All I want them to do at this stage is give me some information so that I can make plans - our lease is up on our home and I need to find somewhere to live if the passport isn't coming anytime soon. I've been promised call back within 72 hours three times now and it's never happened. I've also seen some press coverage about this but not a lot - I work in PR and I'm considering going to the press. Would anyone be willing to participate by being a case study and telling their story?
I would be willing to participate. Applied in December from Kenya, via Durham office, and still waiting.
FYI - the Guardian is covering this to some extent, although without a focus on the overseas angle. I may send the journalist a link to this thread. Perhaps you and others could do so too? Here's a link to the article: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...ations-backlog
Jun 8th 2014, 4:45 pm
#417
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
Hi Lou,
I would be willing to participate. Applied in December from Kenya, via Durham office, and still waiting.
FYI - the Guardian is covering this to some extent, although without a focus on the overseas angle. I may send the journalist a link to this thread. Perhaps you and others could do so too? Here's a link to the article: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...ations-backlog
I would be willing to participate. Applied in December from Kenya, via Durham office, and still waiting.
FYI - the Guardian is covering this to some extent, although without a focus on the overseas angle. I may send the journalist a link to this thread. Perhaps you and others could do so too? Here's a link to the article: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...ations-backlog
S
Jun 8th 2014, 5:18 pm
#418
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
This whole passport situation has me in a stressful quandary at this point. I was about to mail off my supporting documents on Friday and received news at work that has changed my circumstances completely. I now need to be there within the month and it is impossible to get my passport renewed in that time. There aren't even any emergency travel docs for people with an old expired blue passport like me. I can't even pay to rush it through within a few weeks. It is absolutely disgusting! If the timeframe were the old six week rule, then I could try it, but not at 12 weeks or more!
My sister is now 73 and at this rate I will never see her!
My sister is now 73 and at this rate I will never see her!
Last edited by windsong; Jun 8th 2014 at 5:38 pm.
Jun 8th 2014, 5:38 pm
#420
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100