The harrisons

We are planning a visit to the UK for Christmas, our first since we arrived in Sept '09. Both my passport and my 15 year old daughter's have expired unfortunately. I read some time ago that to avoid the huge cost of renewal here, some people were sending them back to the UK as an alternative. Please could anybody give me some advise regarding this

phyns

Hi, If you send them back to the UK there is a wee bit of a back log at the moment. We just got our sons and did the post office check option. It normally takes 2 weeks but at the moment is taking 6 weeks.

rogercruse

I had to get my UK passport renewed fairly soon after arriving. Should have got this done BEFORE I got my NZ stickers!

The process for renewal in NZ wasn't cheap but was quick... I simply completed a form at my local post shop and got my new passport within a week!

I had to then get my NZ stickers for my new UK passport. All good practice for the process and I'll need to do each time I renew my UK passport.

minky

You have to send them back to the UK now but my mum who is in the UK has just renewed hers and it cost 150 pounds

simonsi

Eh??? You can do it through the NZ postshop unless that has changed in the last 6mths??

cappuccino

You are not 'supposed' to send them to the UK as they can check you're not actually residing there. It may be cheaper but it takes much longer than doing it from NZ via the post shop (just over a week from submission to receipt of passport for me last month).

It's too much of a risk, so suck it up and do it the correct way ( at least the passport will be ready for your trip without you stressing if you have been caught out or not)