BritInParis

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.

Muheza

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

Vexcore

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....

Muheza

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!!

Vexcore

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

Muheza

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

Vexcore

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.

37100

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.

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

Muheza

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.

Vexcore

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)

37100

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.

Muheza

Any luck? No luck for me yet!!

Vexcore

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.

Muheza

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.

Vexcore

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