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.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

I suspect it's because there's a high rate of fraud for births in Kenya and the birth certificate and other supporting documentation will need to be verified.

A consular birth certificate would have sped up the passport application process considerably but you may have faced a similar wait for that to be issued. Not much you can do but wait at this point.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

As BritInParis says, mostly down to fraud.... but you really should of got his consular birth certificate... i did that for my son and sent off his passport application to liverpool (and so far they haven't emailed/phoned me of any issues) (if they do.. that is...)

They will no doubt require additional documents i think, just relax it will be fine in the end.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Thanks for your responses. Yesterday I spoke to someone in Durham who told me that all overseas passport applications are proceeding slowly due to teething problems associated with the centralization of all overseas applications in the UK. Apparently there are two stages to the application: firstly, review in the UK and secondly review in the region from which you apply. My application is still stuck on the first phase after 3 and a half months and apparently that is not abnormal. It looks likely to atleast another few weeks still.

I will update when I receive it, for the benefit of others in a similar situation.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Hi Kenya,
I did mine from Moscow and it took a very long time. Everytime I phoned they said it was undergoing security checks and they couldn't transfer me. Just keep phoning and phoning and I am sure it will be all right in the end!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Hi sm16,

Many thanks for the info! It sounds like you got yours in the end? Could you help me with a few questions as I am mystified by this process?

Would you mind letting me know how long it took from what you applied ?Also, what was the minimum time they advised for applications from Moscow compared to how long it actually took in the end?

I am calling every day but don't know if it is making any difference at all and that helpline is terrible!

Thanks again.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

It took about 6 months I think in the end but they did write and ask for extra documents. In the embassy they had no idea how long it would take when I applied because they had just changed the process, they wouldn't even hazard a guess!
If you need it urgently I would keep pushing, if you have the time then I would just wait for it to come through - time consuming but less stress.
Good luck

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Thanks for sharing you experience. I will keep my fingers crossed!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Yea let us know if you manage to get the passport in the end... (im wating for my sons one to arrive... not sure how long but hope it won't take months...)

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Hello,

A quick update. I sent a letter requesting that the supporting documentation be returned to us while they proceed with processing the application. We paid a small fee of GBP10.60 yesterday and they called today to say they will send them today via DHL to the High Commission here in Nairobi. At least we will have our passports and other documents back while they take their time in completing the application.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Why would you do that? they will send them back anyway... you paid for them to be returned to you in the first place.... seems your £10 out of pocket son :P

But in all serious hope you get the passport soon... im in the same boat as you... but i wouldn't contact them to send me the supported documents back they will do it once the passport has been issued.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

You may want to consider registering the birth at the High Commission in Nairobi to avoid any similar delays or problems in the future.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Would there be any issues with moving back to the UK with a baby on their foreign passport and dealing with their British passport once you were there?

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

It's always advisable to get them their British passport if your intention is to move back permanently as there is no guarantee of entry on their foreign passport. It would also depend on the passport. If don't require a visitor visa then you are much more likely to be accepted than if you had to have applied for a visa.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

And if there isn't time for that? Ours would be on a Canadian passport so no visa requirement.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Then it would be at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. Many posters have had no problems doing just that but you would be advised to have the relevant paperwork to hand (birth/marriage certificates) just in case.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Hi ,
I sent my son's first british passport application from kenya in february 2014 to Durham, the website indicates atleast 12weeks process time. I have sent my british passport as per requirement. I had called them to track the application but they require a reference number from the application form to track. I didnt see any reference number on the application form. Did anyone of you see any ref number on the application? Pls advice
Thankyou

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

1: You didn't need to send them your passport... a color photocopy would be enough....

2: Why didn't you register your son at the British embassy? because he would get a consular Birth Certificate... which would have made the process gone even faster not 12 weeks per say.

4: There is no Application Number on overseas passport applications... because you me and everyone else have to print them off and send to liverpool/durham etc i phoned up recently to check the statues of my sons application... and she told me they all have tracking numbers (which is utter bull) because its a printed form for gods sake lol no barcode on it at all... she was dreaming that day no doubt....

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Well i did send my passport thinking it would be faster. I have registered my son at the british embassy. Without the reference number i cant even get my passport back as they cant track! I really need to travel in may 2014. Jus hope it comes back on time!!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

ok so? if you did register him then you got a 'consular birth certificate' yes ? and you sent it with the application?

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Yes, i got the certificate and sent it with the application.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Strange... it shouldn't take this long with a copy of your passport and his consular birth certificate.. like someone said there is a 'backlog' at the moment.. but you sent yours in February, i would raise hell if i was you find out what the hell is going on, when you do call them they always require a number yes? you need to investigate this.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Different circumstances for me, but I'm in the Durham passport queue for a replacement passport. Time given; at least 6wks. Application received 4th Feb. Appeared on system 10th Feb. Spoke to a processing officer last Thurs - there was a barcode with the number on the form I sent off. My application is nearing the top of the queue and could be done next week. If not, after Easter.:frown:

After years of boasting how quick and easy bureaucracy is in the UK compared to Italy, it's pay back time. :(

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

What do u mean by "they require a number"? And how do i investigate... as they cant do anything without a reference number. I called them up this morning and said they cant help me if i dont hav a ref number and it takes minimum 12 weeks. Its around 7 weeks since the application was received.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Every time i call.... the woman/man always say to me 'give me the application number' but they FAIL to realise!.... its an overseas British passport application... where you print off the forms (or do it online for certain countries) at the end of the day 'THEY DO NOT HAVE A BAR CODE NUMBER' How this man/woman on the phones get a job there is beyond me stupidity at it's finest... you would of thought you can give them your DHL or whatever post service you used tracking number to them... because a bar code number does not exist on overseas applications... and yet they believe they do 0_o i mean what the hell...??!

Must be another way to 'chase' this without a ref number you and me and everyone else who do a overseas application must have a way to check our progress......



You sent yours to durham? which country are you in now? i had to send mine off to Liverpool Via DHL

Here is the time estimate


- Sent off Application March 31st (China)
- Application arrived in Liverpool April 2nd
- Payment Taken April 3rd

Like last week the woman on the phone said to me i should have the passport by 25th of April max 4th of may.... but i call BS on that. i need to leave china by august for gods sake.

But you claim there was a 'barcode' you did yours online? because some countries (china) for example and a few others require you to print them off and send to Liverpool via DHL (no barcode on them)

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Italy. I'm in Italy. We have to send them to Durham. It will be at least 12 wks before I get my passport. :(

You can only apply on line from here, too, but on the Declaration Form, which I made a copy of, there is a barcode with a number under it. I printed this off and sent it with the required docs. etc. to Durham. Probably why the call centre said your's should have one. Obviously, not all applications do and they don't know this. The calls centres can only see the same information I can see when I log in using the Username and Password I saved when completing the on line application. However, after loads of calls they put me through to a processing office who said that they were inundated with applications.

If anyone needs a direct number for Durham p.m. me and I'll pass on the number another member of BE gave me. :)

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Any luck? No luck for me yet!!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Nada! zilch! 0 notin nothing!!!!!!

I'll wait till the 4th of may, and nothing by then... gonna phone up! and if that doesn't solve anything then im gonna send the family down there and see whats going on.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

You think you will get any replies from them on the phone?..because when i called they told me they cant help me with anything without the reference number. I want to call but i know i will get the same reply! Cant figure out what to do.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Same... but im gonna explain to them!

OVERSEAS PASSPORT APPLICATIONS DO NOT HAVE A FKING REF NUMBER

If you printed the forms off.. THEY DON'T HAVE ONE


Angry Angry lol :lol:

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Applied for my son's (2nd) UK passport beginning of March (from the US). I did it "online" and got a "login". Status says "Declaration Received" which has been the case for 5 weeks. Applied for his US passport at the same time got that in 3 weeks. UK processed 5M applications in 2013, US did 12M. Paid over $200 for his UK application, US cost me $140. Something is very wrong in Blighty!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

5 weeks? so you still haven't got his brit passport yer? 0_o

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Nope, still waiting. The processing times back in March said 4-6 weeks... I'm not holding my breath...

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Jesus... let me know if you get it in the end!!! i'll keep you posted about mine!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

I'm in a dilemma because my wife's uk visa expires on the end of April and I have applied for my daughters first uk passport. It has now been 5 weeks since Durham received the application. I am worried the visa will expire before the passport arrives!! What should I do? Can I get an extension on the visa?

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Hey mate. I'd really appreciate the direct number of Durham. I tried pming you but administrator wouldn't let me.

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Absolutely! Good luck!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

It will let you after 3 posts I believe. Just reply to this one ;)

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

Thanks buddy!

Re: Delays in first passport for child born overseas
 

I just had a noob born here in China. i am british by birth and mom is chinese. Decided to go the full British route for the baby as the kid will never technically be Chinese.
Anyways i want to send off for the little ones first passport but have to order a copy of my birth certificate to send off with the passport applicication.

I am wondering if it will speed up the passport process if i register the baby here in guangzhou and get a UK style birth certificate or if thats just a waste of time for the moment as i can do that anytime.
Seems mixed reactions here about if its quicker or makes any difference to the speed of the babys application if has UK style birth certificate. Also that means i would have to order another birth certificate and divorce paper if i get the birth certificate..... How much a pain this is.

Any suggestions?