Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
#16
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
It looks like maybe only UK residents can now sign for passports, if this is true, this makes a passport renewal difficult.You can only confirm someone’s identity if you:
- are 18 or over
- live in the UK
- have a current UK passport
- have known the person applying for at least 2 years (this is the adult making the application if the passport is for a child under 16)
- know the person applying as a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
#17
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
You apply online and then i had my old friend from England who lives there authentic Tecate who my kids are. You just provide their email on the form and they will send them a link to verify your identity. They just need to know the names, DOB and address of the kids and myself.
Supporting evidence was both sets of grandparents birth certificates and a few other easy items.
It took 2 months and was so simple.
We have the kids first UK passports in hand now.
#18
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
It looks like maybe only UK residents can now sign for passports, if this is true, this makes a passport renewal difficult.You can only confirm someone’s identity if you:
- are 18 or over
- live in the UK
- have a current UK passport
- have known the person applying for at least 2 years (this is the adult making the application if the passport is for a child under 16)
- know the person applying as a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
If you’re applying in the UK
Your countersignatory must:
If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.
Your countersignatory must:
- live in the UK
- have a current British or Irish passport
If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.
#19
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
I don’t think this true if you live outside of the UK. You have only selected a small portion of the rules
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Gov,uk site says this -"If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.."
Last edited by scot47; Aug 1st 2020 at 4:19 pm.
#21
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Gov,uk site says this -"If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.."
countersigned in the US, I had my PP renewed a couple of years ago countersigned by a Canadian solicitor.
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Location: DC/LA
Posts: 37
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Thank you for keeping me honest!
#24
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Our daughter renewed her passport while living in LA in 2018. She got her boss at work to do the countersigned photo, an Australian American.
#25
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
I remember having a teacher friend sign my last renewal about 8 years ago and I had to send the picture page of her passport. This isn't new, but I got a bit concerned when the overseas application wizard stated that they wanted a UK resident to sign.
I'm going to make the assumption that the link Durham_Lad sent is still valid even though the application wizard doesn't direct you to that page.
I'm going to make the assumption that the link Durham_Lad sent is still valid even though the application wizard doesn't direct you to that page.
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Are you all renewing passports which have expired years ago?
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2017
Location: DC/LA
Posts: 37
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Are you all renewing passports which have expired years ago?
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
i got my renewal fast but my children were also renewing last time and it took way longer.
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,662
#29
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
Are you all renewing passports which have expired years ago?
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
I renewed my UK passport in Nov 2019, just prior to it expiring and I merely completed the form, paid the fee and sent off my old passport together with form.
Received my new passport back in 3 weeks. No countersignature required for anything.
#30
Re: Pros and cons from your move from US back to UK
The reality is though, crime and particularly violent crime is far more prevalent in the US than the U.K. by a very large margin. The knife crimes in the U.K. are largely an issue of youth gang on gang and are mainly confined to particular areas. The average member of the public has very little chance of being subject to it.
While the overall violence is shocking in the US, it is largely confined to either geographic or racial compartments, and often both, confined to black or hispanic gangs engaged in drug trafficking or other criminal activities. The result is that in the "leafy suburbs" of the US you are in no more danger in the US than you are in the UK, and I suspect that you are probably at greater risk in the UK of being assaulted by a knife-wielding thug if you go out to a bar or restaurant at night, than you are of being attacked in most places in the US under similar circumstances.