Re: Passport Delays
 

Because I dont want to give out someones personal email address to everyone here.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thanks... grateful for any pointers I can get.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Hi Katie,

In response to your question.... You need to private msg British Consul (that's the screen name)

Hope all goes well....

Re: Passport Delays
 

Hi everyone, I've been reading through this horrendous thread for days and I'm trying really hard not to panic too much yet but here's my time line

Application sent: May 17th
Application recvd: May 19th
Payment taken: June 23rd
Travel date: August 12th

This is a new passport for my US born daughter and I was dumb enough to submit her valid US passport, her birth certificate AND my valid UK Passport with my birth certificate as evidence since we have different last names. I could stab myself in the eye for my stupidity now. I figured she should enter the UK with a UK passport since we're moving permanently and have one way tickets.

Feeling like quite the jacka$$ right about now :(

Re: Passport Delays
 

It's not your fault. Many of the people here have been misled by the claim that it would take 4-6 weeks to process applications.

Re: Passport Delays
 

You're going to need to call the Careline on that one if you haven't already.

Re: Passport Delays
 

I applied on May 2nd, payment taken June 6th. Almost every day after that I was looking out for the passports to arrive, fully expecting them to. I had assumed that the payment signaled we were nearing the end. Clearly not! On about June 18th I looked at the website and saw the "We aim to process the new passport within four weeks from the date the fee is taken". It seems to me that the wording has changed to include the "from the date the fee is taken". Is it just me? The passport application form urges applications to be made at least 4 weeks before need for renewals and six weeks before need for new passports. I suggest that the goalposts have been moved. I also saw the 16th June note "Your passport application could take up to ten weeks". The problem with this note is that is unclear and has remained unclear which ten weeks it means. That is from receipt or payment. Yes I know people have been told it means post payment but it does not actually say that.

This is a nightmare for my family and many others. Good luck to all of you with travel plans at risk.

Simon

Re: Passport Delays
 

I believe its now taking 10 weeks from the time payment is taken.... So it could very well be 2.5 months after your date of June 6th, when payment was taken.

Re: Passport Delays
 

This is what I read when I scanned back a few pages. It would appear its taking 10 weeks from time of payment....

Re: Passport Delays
 

It looks like I should be calling Careline soon, given that I put on my application a travel date of 7/7.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Yeah, I feel like the "from date payment is taken" was added at some point, or otherwise they aren't telling people that there are two kinds of delay - they aren't taking your payment quickly, and then it's an extended wait after the payment is taken, too. Certainly all the guidelines on the various websites and info booklets suggest getting your application in "at least 6 weeks before travel" (or something similar). None of them say "at least 6 weeks before travel, plus add an extra three weeks for us to process your payment before that 6 weeks starts".

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thanks everyone for making me feel a little better about my mistake.

I will be calling the careline but I think I'll give them until the end of this week just in case a miracle happens. Fat chance, I know.

If we don't get the passport by the 1st week of August, I'm wondering if they'd let me go to the DC office to retrieve my original documents? I'm in CT so it wouldn't too hellish of a drive except that my plan was to sell my car a week before leaving. What a PITA this is turning out to be. Good grief!

Thanks again for all your support in this forum. You guys are truly wonderful!

Re: Passport Delays
 

I would call as soon as possible, since we are coming up on a long holiday weekend.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Oh yes that's right! I guess I'll be calling sooner than later. Thanks so much!

Re: Passport Delays
 

I was wondering if anyone knows if a UK ETD is accepted when crossing the US border from Canada by private vehicle.

I contacted the British Embassy here in Toronto and they have scheduled an appointment to provide me with an ETD, but I have found information on various sites that seem to suggest that a UK ETD is not valid under the visa waiver program. Does this only apply when travelling by plane?

If someone could enlighten me, that would be fantastic.

Thanks :)