I would like to chime in on this thread, if that is okay, as I have a similar situation.

Background Information:
I applying for my first British Passport. I too believe I am eligible to obtain my passport, however, my belief is based on my birth in the UK prior to 31 Dec. 1982. My parents never took any steps to claim any passport or other proof of citizenship for me, as they thought it was a thing to be chosen. At this point, I am looking at some work and graduate school options in the UK and EU and I'd like to make the process as easy as possible.

I also filled out my passport application online, sent in the completed declaration form and supporting documents.

Included Documents:
· Cover Letter: Outlining my submission and including an index of all the items being mailed.
· Declaration: Completed in full.
· Separate sheets with explanations (described below).
· 4 Photos: Like bazinga, I included 4 photos. This was done at the urging of my photographer.
· A full color copy of my current US passport and US passport card (I am traveling a fair bit currently, so I cannot be without them).
· A certified copy of my full birth certificate issued by the General Register Office of England — the certified copy was a certified copy provided by that Office, not one certified by a notary public.
· My old cancelled passport that I used to leave the UK.
· The cancelled passports held by my parents at the time of my conception and birth. (Not asked for, but I explained that I included them to demonstrate that they were not diplomats as an exception to my citizenship.)
· A certified copy of the full birth certificates for each of my parents issued by the state in the US where they were born — the certified copies were provided by the vital records offices of the state, not copies certified by a notary public. Again, this data was asked about on my application, but the birth certificates were not listed on my required documents, so I sent them just to prove it up and explained that on the separate sheet.
· The original Marriage License and Certificate for my parents. Again, this data was asked about on my application, but the marriage certificate was not listed on my required documents, so I sent it just to prove it up and explained that on the separate sheet.
· Explanation For Not Applying From Country of Birth: Provided on the separate sheet.
· Countersignature Photocopy of Passport: I did not include this as my countersignature was provided by a UK citizen friend living in the US.

I put fly sheets between each item. I also placed the photos in two envelopes (one marked as the required set, one marked as extras) behind their fly sheet, my passport in a third envelope behind its fly sheet, and my parents’ passports in a fourth envelope behind their fly sheet — the envelopes were used to avoid the contents slipping about the courier’s envelope or otherwise causing mayhem during shipping. I bound the entire package with a pair of binder clip that are easy to remove by hand.

Concerns & Questions:
1) I used certified copies of the birth certificates because none of us have originals of the long forms birth certificates, excluding my original Report of a Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the USA. I also have an original of my Certificate of Birth Abroad of a citizen of the USA, but it doesn’t have my parents’ data. I thought that certified copies of the birth records from the respective best sources (England GRO and US state’s vital statistics office) would be adequate, and they they would prefer the GRO-issued certified copy over a US consular document of any kind. Is this correct or will I have problems?

2) Will the extra documents that I sent in excess of what was required be construed against me for any reason? Will the binding and envelopes cause any problems? I've never submitted anything like this (except for US passport applications which I generally submit without thinking this much about) and I am hoping my excessive documenting, papering, and packaging isn't going to annoy anyone — the last thing I want is a cranky processor!

3) I am also curious about processing time and the potential requirement of an interview, but there seems to be some good feedback on that already. Please let me know if anyone else has any additional perspective on this. For what it is worth, my courier indicates that my package arrived at the Durham office on the 25th of February.

Thank you all so much!

I was reviewing the application form (because, you know, why not) and I noticed that there is a space where the form reads: “I hold a full current British, Irish, other EU, US or Commonwealth passport (delete as appropriate).” I saw this before, but I completely forgot about it on signing day, and we didn’t line anything out. I don't know if they will ask about it, but of course it's the end of the world in my mind.

FWIW: my countersignatory holds a UK passport. Anyone care to wager how that will shake out for me?

See the attached image from the scanned declaration form that I sent in my package.

Welcome to BE.

I have moved your posts into a new thread...as they are likely to get overlooked when you hijack someone else's thread.

Jerseygirl: Thank you! I thought it was related enough -- sorry for my mistake! -Ryan

No problem.

As you noted, I am in a similar situation. The HMPO received my declaration form and documents on Monday and it says that status is that it is being processed. As soon as I have an update on my situation I will let you know.

For the English Birth Certs/Docs - the GRO supplied ones are acceptable. Not sure about the US versions, we shall see!

Yeah, my US certified copies look just like the UK certified copies -- they are copies made (from microfiche?) and certified in 1980. I think these are the copies my parents used to apply for their UK visas way back when. I was going to use 2015 certified copies, but they are just a typed-up regurgitation of data from the birth certificate that is certified by that state and they contain no copy of the original certificate.

1. Any birth certificate issued in the UK will be a 'Certified Copy' as the only original is the register itself held at the GRO. It doesn't therefore matter whether the copy you submit is the 'original' that your parents obtained when you were born or a one you recently ordered yourself from the GRO. The only caveat would be that an 'original' birth certificate would add greater weight to your claim to be the person you claim to be than a fresh copy but given the other original period documents you have submitted it shouldn't be an issue.

2. If you were born in the UK prior to 1983 and have never held a British passport before then the older you are the more cautious the passport examiner will be. Presenting extra documents to support your claim such as your parents' certificates and passports and your US consular birth certificate is therefore a good idea. Providing you didn't put it all in a great big sodding ring binder then they shouldn't have a problem with separate envelopes.

3. Anecdotal evidence suggest processing times are very quick as of late. This is the quietest time of the year - after Christmas but before the Easter and summer holidays. An interview is very unlikely unless they have serious doubts as to your identity.

4. So long as your countersignatory provided their British passport number then this shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks, BIP -- I appreciate the optimistic outlook!

The only thing your examiner may want in addition to what you have already submitted is your original US passport.

They were clear that a full color copy is okay. There is even some report from HMPO about how this was implemented for applications made from overseas so that the applicants aren't stuck without a passport. Having said that, I am happy to see what I can do if such a request arises. I wish that there were a process whereby I could submit originals for inspection at an embassy or a consulate local to wherever I may be found, but I don't think that is allowed.

Back to something you said earlier, it is too bad that I didn't complete all of this earlier in life, but I was distinctly unclear about all of this as a child and didn't look at it again until recently when British expat friends advised that I might have citizenship. It's still an interesting thing in my 30s and an opportunity not to be missed at any age, I think.

Your claim to British citizenship doesn't expire. It's just the older you get the more suspicious HMPO are likely to become when assessing first time applicants. This is why they may wish to see your original US passport when a photocopy would normally suffice.

Don't worry though - if your examiner wants to see anything extra they will ask for it.

@ryanintheworld, just as an FYI; this morning I check online and my status changed to "dispatched" . Which means that the passport has been approved, processed, and hopefully on its way. I think that you should be fine as well considering we had similar situations. Hopefully the process is as fast for you and you hear back next week sometime.

Overall it took less than a week from when they received the documents!

Best of luck.

No luck, yet, but maybe you're right about next week :-)

For what it is worth, this is the status of my application:

Application received and under review by HMPO: 26 Feb. 2015 (per online application status page)
Update: Passport dispatched: 4 Mar. 2015 (per online application status page)
Passport received: Waiting
Documents returned: Waiting