Bob

There are quite a few passport threads and most of them seem to be saying that it takes around 6-7 weeks for a renewal and for a first time one between 6-10 weeks.

Generally if they want further information, they'll ask you for further information. You only lose the money if you don't qualify for the passport in the first place.

fatbrit

You've been longer in America than Blighty.......and it's high time you naturalized to preserve your right to return.

Noorah101

No, sorry, I don't. Neither I nor my foreign spouse are from the UK.

Rene

Noorah101

+1

Rene

fatbrit

You may be making a false assumption here. Your card can be valid but you can still have lost your status. If you relinquish your status by taking residence elsewhere, your valid card means very little. Judging whether you have relinquished your status is rather complex, but anything up to 6 months out you're usually safe, 6-12 months out and it's getting iffy, and over 12 months out and it's perilous.

All this becomes irrelevant if you naturalize.

I don't want you thinking that because your card is valid until 2018 you can just pop over in late 2017 and renew it to preserve your status. It simply doesn't work that way.

SarahJo

Oh no, I do understand that I can only be out of the country for so long within a period of a year. I was just stating that I have my green card and not a visa. At this time I do not plan on taking residency else where, just would like to go and see all of my family and spend some time with them. I have considered moving back a few times but leaving my mum here would be the hardest part. I suppose at this time it seems that it would be in my best interest to figure out where I want to be and then work on the citizenship part. I do appreciate your response and information. You all have been very helpful and some of the information a little scary lol but I am sure I will figure out where I am to end up soon. Thanks again!

Jerseygirl

Thank you for explaining. We applied and got greencards shortly after living here and are now US citizens.

SarahJo

Thanks for your help everyone! I have sent out my application today and they should receive it in Washington on Wednesday the 18th. Does anyone know how long it is taking them to send them out now? This is my first adult passport. Also, I had my photos taken at Walgreens and they cut them down to their specifications. I am now worried as I have been reading on here that they may reject my application for that reason. Does anyone have any knowledge on this? Thanks again

Sarah

RICH

This is a UK passport application? Expect it to take " a few weeks" ie 3/4+ till you get the passport, or some other response. All passports are now created in UK, not in Washington.

The precise photo size should not be an issue.

SarahJo

Thank you, I have been worried ever since I sent it out. This is a UK passport application that is being sent out from the US. I was told to send the application to Washington where they review the information and then if all is well they pass along the information and my passport is sent from the UK. I am hoping to travel back to the UK at the end of September. Do you think I may have it by then? going off of the "few weeks" theory I should have it in time. I have been a nervous wreck about the entire situation. thanks for your help

RICH

Nothing you can do now but wait.

Bob

Renewals have been taking 4-7 weeks, but a first time application probably add a couple of weeks to the long end of the scope.

SarahJo

They have taken the money off of my credit card already (July 24). They received the application on July 18. Is there a possibility that it could happen sooner, or is that normal for them to take the money that quickly and still take that long to process the application? Also, I was wondering, if they do for some reason deny me a passport, do they let you know fairly quickly, or do they make you wait the same length of time that you would if you were to actually get the passport?? thank you

Bob

The time line they mention on their website is from the time they take payment.

If you haven't provided the evidence that they want, the Embassy is usually fairly quick about asking for the missing info.