Bob

Would be admitted as a Brit citizen, old passport would be proof of that. The US passport is only need as USC's need to use one to travel and without a current passport you might have issues getting on the plane in the first place.

Bob

Aye, some folks say they never need the letter, some don't bother with it notarised, but considering you can get it done free in most banks, libraries or town halls if you're resident of the area, it's just worth doing to be on the safe side

SanDiegogirl

If you enter the UK as visitors in the non UK/EU line then you will need to state how long you are staying for and maybe show your return tickets. I thought you were staying in the UK permanently so you would not want to enter as a visitor and lie to the Immigration official would you? Do you even have return tickets?

If not, you could get caught up in why you are entering as a visitor but have no return tickets.

michali

Definitely go in as UKC, show your expired passport (and birth certificate if necessary). The children will go through the EU line with you....even my non EU husband comes through with me when we travel to the UK! Going in as a visitor could end up in all kinds of complications.

RICH

Passport is a travel document. Lack of passport does not mean lack of citizenship.

If you have US Passports, UK will likely let you in. After that, if you really are a UK citizens, you will be able to obtain the necessary documentation allowing you to stay in UK.

BritInParis

A passport does not confer citizenship but it does provide you with evidence of that citizenship for the purposes of immigration control. UKBF might let you in without a British passport but they would be within their rights to turn you away if were not satisfied with your identity/citizenship and the stated purpose of your entry in the UK.

Emilx

Based on all the advice I think what I'll probably do is go through the EU line, let them know the situation and my intentions, and show them the expired passport along with my original birth certificate, marriage certificate, letter from my spouse confirming permission to travel with the children, a copy of the tenancy agreement for the property I rent in the UK, and, well, anything else I can think of.

I called the UKBA this morning and they agreed that I should enter as a British citizen - they said what happens next would be at the discretion of the officer. Not my favourite way to enter a country, but I don't want to do anything that jeopardises my spouse's visa application.

SanDiegogirl

Good decision.

windsong

A few months ago I called the UK Border Agency about this very issue. They strongly advised me not to try entering on my US passport because I could be turned away - especially with pets on the same plane, making it look as if I was there to stay.

Emilx

What happened in the end, if you don't mind me asking? If anyone's had first hand experience of going through the gate with an expired passport I'd love to hear how it went. I'm fairly petrified by the prospect.

windsong

I decided to apply for the passport. Moving is too stressful as it is without adding unnecessary stress.

curleytops

I returned to UK with my parents' expired family passport (the one we emigrated to Canada on) many years ago when my Grandmother was gravely ill. I explained the situation re family emergency and had no problems. Years later when my Grandfather was ill and subsequently died, my Dad and my Sister found themselves in the same predicament with expired passports but had no difficulty entering UK due to circumstances. My Sister also took her youngest (18 month old) Canadian born son whom my Grandfather had never seen and had no bother getting him into UK. As I said though, this was some time ago and the world is now a different place - I wouldn't risk it today.

mikelincs

Once you are in the UK, getting the children a UK passport is probably the most important thing to do. Once they have this they will be elliglble for the full NHS services, until then, only emergency as a free option. Also get yourself onto the Electoral Roll.

Emilx

Well, it's what the UK Border Authority advised me to do, so it's clearly not something that used to be allowed and isn't any longer. My guess is that they are probably more rigorous in checking those documents and making sure that you are who you say you are than they used to be. We'll see. Thanks for telling me what happened to you, I appreciate it.

Emilx

Yes, I agree - I'd actually be starting the application right now if we weren't due to travel in 2 weeks. I actually considered doing it a month ago, before I realised just how important it was, and then didn't because a) the expense to do it from the US is quite a bit higher and b) it was too close to the date I intended to travel for comfort, since the application instructs me to send in all the passports I have (US and expired). Had I realised the mess I was getting into through not have a current UK passport I would probably have applied and risked having to wait an extra few weeks. I really don't have any choice but to fly out as planned now, though, so like it or not this is how it's going to have to go.