uk passport renewal
Jul 29th 2009, 8:03 pm
#76
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: uk passport renewal
Just a bit of clarification.
The IPS only suggest that you use the fast track 1 week service or the premium 1 day service - appointments needed in both cases. They are assuming that you will want a reasonable timescale as the standard postal service is 3 weeks or more in busy periods.
You can still use the basic service if you wish. This costs £72 plus a post office check fee if required of another £6.85.
The 1 week service is £92 and the same day service is £114. (plus any travelling costs to the nearest IPS office).
The standard charge in Spain is €154 plus courier fee of €13.25 plus registered postage to the embassy.
So, if you want to save a significant amount of money you need to be in the UK for at least a month and use the basic service. The premium services are quite a lot more expensive. Comparing the 1 day service in the UK to the postal service in Spain, there is a saving of only €36, less any travelling involved in getting to the IPS office in the UK.
It is possible to send the old passport to a contact in the UK and to get them to sort the whole thing and post it back to you but there is a very small risk that they might require you to attend an interview - unlikely but seriously complicating if your passport is at their office and you are in Spain!
My passport is due for renewal in October. I really object to the charges (a Spanish passport costs €20) but I cannot face the hassle of doing it on the cheap.
One thing about the Embassy service, based on experiences of others, both personally and on forums, is that it works like clockwork - for a change!
The IPS only suggest that you use the fast track 1 week service or the premium 1 day service - appointments needed in both cases. They are assuming that you will want a reasonable timescale as the standard postal service is 3 weeks or more in busy periods.
You can still use the basic service if you wish. This costs £72 plus a post office check fee if required of another £6.85.
The 1 week service is £92 and the same day service is £114. (plus any travelling costs to the nearest IPS office).
The standard charge in Spain is €154 plus courier fee of €13.25 plus registered postage to the embassy.
So, if you want to save a significant amount of money you need to be in the UK for at least a month and use the basic service. The premium services are quite a lot more expensive. Comparing the 1 day service in the UK to the postal service in Spain, there is a saving of only €36, less any travelling involved in getting to the IPS office in the UK.
It is possible to send the old passport to a contact in the UK and to get them to sort the whole thing and post it back to you but there is a very small risk that they might require you to attend an interview - unlikely but seriously complicating if your passport is at their office and you are in Spain!
My passport is due for renewal in October. I really object to the charges (a Spanish passport costs €20) but I cannot face the hassle of doing it on the cheap.
One thing about the Embassy service, based on experiences of others, both personally and on forums, is that it works like clockwork - for a change!
Jul 29th 2009, 8:17 pm
#77
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: uk passport renewal
Thanks for the clarification! 
I will be in the UK until the beginning of September probably, we haven't booked a return date yet, but I shall tell them the end of July. I am going to get the application in tomorrow.
The guy on the phonre said it's usually about two weeks with the Post Office check, although officially it's their standard time of three weeks.
And yes, he told me £78.85.
I will be in the UK until the beginning of September probably, we haven't booked a return date yet, but I shall tell them the end of July. I am going to get the application in tomorrow.
The guy on the phonre said it's usually about two weeks with the Post Office check, although officially it's their standard time of three weeks.
And yes, he told me £78.85.
Jul 29th 2009, 8:36 pm
#78
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: uk passport renewal
Just a bit of clarification.
The IPS only suggest that you use the fast track 1 week service or the premium 1 day service - appointments needed in both cases. They are assuming that you will want a reasonable timescale as the standard postal service is 3 weeks or more in busy periods.
You can still use the basic service if you wish. This costs £72 plus a post office check fee if required of another £6.85.
The 1 week service is £92 and the same day service is £114. (plus any travelling costs to the nearest IPS office).
The standard charge in Spain is €154 plus courier fee of €13.25 plus registered postage to the embassy.
So, if you want to save a significant amount of money you need to be in the UK for at least a month and use the basic service. The premium services are quite a lot more expensive. Comparing the 1 day service in the UK to the postal service in Spain, there is a saving of only €36, less any travelling involved in getting to the IPS office in the UK.
It is possible to send the old passport to a contact in the UK and to get them to sort the whole thing and post it back to you but there is a very small risk that they might require you to attend an interview - unlikely but seriously complicating if your passport is at their office and you are in Spain!
My passport is due for renewal in October. I really object to the charges (a Spanish passport costs €20) but I cannot face the hassle of doing it on the cheap.
One thing about the Embassy service, based on experiences of others, both personally and on forums, is that it works like clockwork - for a change!
The IPS only suggest that you use the fast track 1 week service or the premium 1 day service - appointments needed in both cases. They are assuming that you will want a reasonable timescale as the standard postal service is 3 weeks or more in busy periods.
You can still use the basic service if you wish. This costs £72 plus a post office check fee if required of another £6.85.
The 1 week service is £92 and the same day service is £114. (plus any travelling costs to the nearest IPS office).
The standard charge in Spain is €154 plus courier fee of €13.25 plus registered postage to the embassy.
So, if you want to save a significant amount of money you need to be in the UK for at least a month and use the basic service. The premium services are quite a lot more expensive. Comparing the 1 day service in the UK to the postal service in Spain, there is a saving of only €36, less any travelling involved in getting to the IPS office in the UK.
It is possible to send the old passport to a contact in the UK and to get them to sort the whole thing and post it back to you but there is a very small risk that they might require you to attend an interview - unlikely but seriously complicating if your passport is at their office and you are in Spain!
My passport is due for renewal in October. I really object to the charges (a Spanish passport costs €20) but I cannot face the hassle of doing it on the cheap.
One thing about the Embassy service, based on experiences of others, both personally and on forums, is that it works like clockwork - for a change!
It is addressed to your new married name and you have no ID with that name on, and they won`t even let your husband pick it up with his ID.
Anyhow it got returned to Madrid, so my wife phoned up and got it sent to where she works and no ID was needed.
Maybe more the clerk at the PO`s fault than the Embassy.
Last edited by jdr; Jul 29th 2009 at 8:39 pm.
Jul 29th 2009, 10:03 pm
#79
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: uk passport renewal
Unless like my daughter, you get married and are out when the postie delivers it and it is taken back to the P O.
It is addressed to your new married name and you have no ID with that name on, and they won`t even let your husband pick it up with his ID.
Anyhow it got returned to Madrid, so my wife phoned up and got it sent to where she works and no ID was needed.
Maybe more the clerk at the PO`s fault than the Embassy.
It is addressed to your new married name and you have no ID with that name on, and they won`t even let your husband pick it up with his ID.
Anyhow it got returned to Madrid, so my wife phoned up and got it sent to where she works and no ID was needed.
Maybe more the clerk at the PO`s fault than the Embassy.
I must remember not to get married again before I submit my application.
Jul 30th 2009, 2:05 pm
#80
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nueva andalucia
Posts: 191
Re: uk passport renewal
Took 2 1/2 weeks for sons to come back from Madrid.
Jul 31st 2009, 12:06 am
#81
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: uk passport renewal
I've applied for my new passport today, using the Post Office checking service, usually two weeks but might be more.
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
Jul 31st 2009, 12:15 pm
#82
Family man
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa
Posts: 542
Re: uk passport renewal
I've applied for my new passport today, using the Post Office checking service, usually two weeks but might be more.
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
Jul 31st 2009, 9:31 pm
#83
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: uk passport renewal
Re: uk passport renewal
Aug 21st 2009, 7:34 am
#86
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: uk passport renewal
Aug 21st 2009, 1:31 pm
#88
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: uk passport renewal
I've applied for my new passport today, using the Post Office checking service, usually two weeks but might be more.
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
Apart from a hassle with photographs, (not the PO's fault), I think their sevice is excellent. £6.85, and they will tell you what is wrong , verify it is correct when you return, send it special delivery, and if the Passport Office require any further documentation you take it to the PO and they will send it Special Delivery for no extra charge. Great service.
Anyway, hopefully mine will be back in two weeks!
