Fair Lady

Sadly no. I just received one of three applications today… almost 10 weeks later….. for a renewal which had not expired. I am still waiting on two more but had to redo the declarations forms because they could not be scanned. Hope they arrived next week.

rjt

Coverage in the Telegraph!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/exp...headaches.html

robin1234

Probably asking a question that's been covered before, if so, sorry!

My British passport expires in June 2015. If I'm in England for a lengthy period this autumn or winter, can I renew it while in the UK, taking advantage of expedited times? In other words, are they OK with sending it to an address other than your permanent address?

BritInParis

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to do this. It used to be a get-around if you could provide a UK address but now it's an official option.

https://www.gov.uk/passport-applicat...le-visiting-uk

robin1234

Very good, thanks for that link.

Gabriel G

Please I really need help

I live in Madrid and I want to renew my british passport. I have been trying to do it online but when I reach the payment section they ask me for the "Postcode of the UK statement address" and I don't know what that is. Does anybody know what that is? It is driving me insane! I am stuck I need help please!

Thanks,
Gabriel

BritInParis

Are you using the right website?

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

windsong

Does anyone know how long you have to send in supporting documents after submitting the online application (and paying) for a passport renewal?

37100

You have 90 days for them to receive the docs. I received a standard email after 4 weeks telling me that if I didn't I would not receive a refund. My delay was caused by the need for a signee. That took almost 2 weeks. They actual had my docs, but hadn't loaded on the system. That alone, took a week (5 working days).

johno5175

follow Britinparis's linky. I think you are trying to apply from inside the UK rather than overseas passport applications.

windsong

Thank you. I am at about three weeks and supporting documents will be in the mail before the end of the week - and then my saga/nightmare begins! Let's see how long I will have to wait to get my new passport!

37100

I sent off another application today. Let's see who wins the race! Though mine's not a simple renewal so you have a head start.

pondhopper2014

Ours were couriered Monday from Canada. A. Allen signed for them this morning in Durham. No excuses and I'm keeping a papertrail. But the site does say AT LEAST 10 weeks. IF they have nothing to pick on.

windsong

Sending in my supporting documents today. It's been so long since I looked at the app documents, so do I need to send in my old blue book UK passport as well? (Will be quicker to ask here than try to find the instructions online again.)

Oh, and where do I send it all - perhaps it's on the page I signed. I am in the USA.

CharlesComb

Hi, although I'm a long-term ex-pat, I am new to this forum and I just wanted to share my desultory expereince of trying to renew my passport.

The last time I did so, it was through the Consultar section here in Warsaw and it was a breeze. Two days after handing in my application form, i returned and collected my new passport.

The current system has therefore come as a shock and a disappointment, not to say a raging inconveninence. I applied for my replacement passport at the tail end of April and my old one was delivered to the UK office by courier on 12th May. At the time, the webpage indicated a three-week processing time.

Now, four weeks later, there is no progress. The ludicrous website states that it is being "processed" and my telephone and email enquiries to the helpless helpdesk this week achieved absolutely nothing.

I travel(led) extensively for my job and my host country requires that I have a form of identification, in the event that I am challenged. My business is now increasingly handicapped by my inability to travel.

However, none of this is of the least interest to the UK Passport Service. I made my first enquiry on Monday this week, some 24 hours longer ago than the 72 hours they graciously give themselves for consideration of enquiries. No response.

The most irritating part is the helplessness and the fact that there is no contact with the office actually responsible for the prcedure. There is no point in railing against the poor saps sitting on the helplines - they are clearly as helpless as the applicant is.

What a ludicrous situation, what an abysmal service and what a disgraceful way to for a country to treat its citizens abroad.