I read on UK.Gov that you have to send in your US Passport when you apply. I require this for travel and in any case would rather not risk losing this. Is there a way around this?

No, there's no requirement. Remember you may not possess or even be entitled to another passport. For the official answer, I shall quote the small print:

"Uncancelled non-British passports: We strongly prefer to receive the passport. However in exceptional circumstances where you may need to retain the passport, we will accept a full colour photocopy of the entire passport (including visa pages). We reserve the right to request the passport at a later stage as we examine your application. Please provide an explanation as to why you need to retain your passport."

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload..._Gp1_11.13.PDF

Ah, thanks muchly. I will make full color photocopies at Walgreens in this case.

I wish I'd known this when applying, the helpline was adamant that a photocopy would not suffice. And that I'd have mine back within six weeks.

The helpline can be quite useless BUT on the positive side, I found out today all calls are recorded and logged (in case you are given conflicting information and need to reference back to helpline).


On a separate but similar note, does anyone know if they accept scanned docs (like a copy of non British passport as above) by email? Or are they still living in the Stone Age?

Not to be redundant, but does sending in a color copy of my US passport while applying for British citizenship through descent work as well? Or do they insist on the having the actual passport?

Thanks in advance!

A photocopy and a note explaining you require it for travel is perfectly acceptable.

Which itself gets quite expensive. A colour copy in the US is about 50 cents - you'll need to make 27 such copies to copy the entire passport (which is what they state they need). 26 for the 52 inside pages and one for the cover.

I know it states they want a copy of the entire passport but I suspect you'll very easily just get away with a copy of the bio-data page.

Thank you both! I do need it for travel and would hate for it to get lost or delayed.

Amoco

Yeah, I wish I'd had BritInParis' wonderful advice when I'd applied!

I truly appreciate those who have gone before me and had to go through the hassles. And I appreciate that they take the time to share with others.

Amoco

Indeed. It's a ridiculous request. I keep my secondary citizenship passport in a separate storage place in case anything happens to my primary passport and I need to travel outside of the country urgently. There is absolutely no way on earth I am sending in my second citizenship passport with my application for British passport renewal. Requesting a copy of all pages in a passport booklet is just a complete waste of time. It should be bio page + any visa's.

Hello, I too have a secondary citizenship and Passport. this means that if I send my UK passport AND second state passport, would not be able to travel in emergency, as would not be able to exit the country where I reside.

When I asked the phone help line person, he said the only exemption from this demand could be for someone who could show that they were employed in a business that requires travel. He also said that its possible for the UK or its Consulate to offer Emergency Travel Papers. I said that this would not be valid for EXIT from my place of residence.. in addition, I imagine this could be an expensive item!. Meanwhile I have paid the Application Fee by Debit Card...

If I do send colour photos of my second passport and there is a demand for the original, it could mean further delay beyond the Four Weeks.
What should I do?
Geoffrey

Ignore them. They're just given you the company line. When some eejit on the phone told me this previous, I asked him if a family member of his was close to dying would you prefer to wait for an ETD (which are a total pita to obtain btw, and cost money!) or simply book a flight and turn up with your passport.

Indeed!

The UK government won't even know you're a dual citizen, so you can either be honest and declare something the British government has no legal authority for you to declare, or you can simply scan a copy of the bio page of your other passport.