Fair Lady

Hope I am posting in the right place.

My children who have dual cit. need new US passports. Are we still required to visit the US Embassy in person in London or is it now possible to apply directly to the USA for passports like you can apply to UK Gov for UK passports when living in the USA? (Hope that makes sense).

Thanks.

LondonSquirrel

I was wondering the same as my DH's US passport runs out in March 2017. Last time he renewed we didn't visit the embassy. We had a courier pick up the package, take it to the embassy, printing is in the US, fortnight later new passport couriered to my work. I expect this is still what happens.

Fair Lady

I think it is different for children under 15. In fact they request that both parents attend too and if not that you get a form notarised. Last time I had to get documents notarised, the ONLY place I found a notary was in the US Embassy.

Anyone else any insight?

Fair Lady

I would not mind but the appointments for a passport are only before 10 am which means leaving really early to get into London. Surely the US have a better system than this or are they just trying to make this really difficult for children to get renewed passports?

BritInParis

All the information you need is on the US Embassy's website.

https://uk.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen...the-age-of-16/

LondonSquirrel

Sorry, I knew you had to register the births of children in person, but not that passport renewals had to be done at the embassy too.

Got a couple of suggestions though neither may help. Are you in or nearer to Scotland? I think there's an embassy in Edinburgh, maybe they do citizen services there?

Or could you use a relative's address in the US to apply? Send the old passports and application forms to a parent, uncle or aunt using their address on the form, they would mail the new passports to that address, your relative can then post the new passports back to the UK. Using registered post or FedEx etc of course. How would the US passport peeps know you weren't temporarily living with your family for a couple of months?

BritInParis

Given that it's mandatory for US citizens to enter the United States using a US passport I would suggest it would be very easy for the Department of State to know whether a passport applicant was in the country or not.

LondonSquirrel

True, but why would they think to check?

BritInParis

Mainly to prevent identity fraud but also possibly to stop exactly what you are suggesting.

Wintersong

Moot point, really, because applications for a minor child require the minor and parents to appear in person.

Wintersong

"If you reside in England or Wales you are required to apply for the passport at the U.S. Embassy in London through a pre-arranged appointment. The appointment should be scheduled in the child’s name and the child is required to appear. The parent(s) may add their name as accompany once the appointment has been scheduled."

BritInParis

Very true.

RainyDays

What's really annoying is that the appointment dates for a first US passport and a renewal of a child's US passport are different. Meaning we'll have to make two 540 mile round-trip journeys to London (as well as my medical appt and visa interview).

Steve_

One of my relatives just had this problem, both parents didn't go, just one (but only that one is a US citizen). She didn't mention anything about getting anything notarized.

There are notaries in the UK but the number is fixed and they charge a fortune.

What this American obsession is with notaries I'll never know.

Steve_

And you'll get there before 10am and be waiting until lunch time. Been there done that.

Strongly advise not drinking coffee before you go. Or anything at all for that matter.