amonument74

Thanks, mplsbrit... I did (finally) just hear back from a TDS rep a few minutes ago, that my paperwork had been submitted to the embassy at the end of last week.
At least the ball's a rollin'

British Consul

1 - You've been 'ad. Expedited service isn't available through third party companies. All they will do is deliver and collect your application from the UK Passports Centre in Washington. If anything, using them has delayed the processing of your application. Bargain at $150.

2 - New number.

3 - No, you'll have to wait until you receive your passport to find out what the number is. Up to you whether you use the old passport number in your reservation, it shouldn't really matter.

Hope this helps.

Dean

British Consul

The UK Passports Centre in Washington is just getting to grips with a new computer system. Rather than tempt fate and say everything is OK, our website and Careline are still quoting delays. Processing times are almost back to normal and we will be updating processing times soon. If you still have an urgent need to travel, then complete (or re-complete) the on-line status enquiry form at: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/our-off...status-inquiry

Dean

amonument74

Thanks for the info, Dean.... damn, that 150 could've bought me a lot of british bacon from the english store down here

What are the chances of getting my renewed passport back in time for my September 3rd flight?

Andrew

mplsbrit

Good luck.

I got my passport today. Received application in DC July 9, took payment July 31, got a call August 3 to say it was shipping. It seems like things are speeding up...

sailorgal

Hi - wondering if anyone can suggest the correct category for my Passport Application Status Inquiry? I'm pregnant and my OBGYN does not want me to travel beyond the end of September, at the very latest, due to some complications. Since I won't be able to travel home for many months after Sept, I'm desperately hoping that I can get my passport or some kind of temporary travel docs before then.

I suppose it's technically "Pleasure", but do those inquiries even get considered?

Thanks!

Sharron_

Mmmmmm....now you have me wondering or worried...not sure which one.

They took payment for my son's passport on July 22nd and I haven't heard a thing back yet.

Any ideas on how long to leave it before I start trying to chase it up?

Sharon.

sailorgal

Looks like the backlog is being cleared - my passport renewal docs arrived in DC on July 15th and today (August 12th), I just got my new passport via UPS.

The replacement included a name change, and I didn't specify any travel date on the form.

Hopefully that means good news for everyone!!!!

Helen79

Reading this thread now has be extremely worried - I applied for a passport renewl to change my name (I recently got married) which was recieved on July 13th - on Aug 5th I had a call to say they were processing it and to ask me a question, the money cleared my credit card by Aug 7th and I STILL have not recieved my passport!

I have filled in and submitted the tracking thing (which now seems to have disappeared of the UKinUSA website) last week and have not been contacted. I desperately need my passport and whilst I appreciate there was a back log this seems to have gone now, and I cant understand how they process it, contact me whilst processing it and take the money but not send the passport. It has been almost three weeks!

- Is anyone else in this position still?

Helen79

-did anyone try calling the crazily expensive helpline? I dont want to call but I need my passport and at this point am getting willing to try just about anything...

meauxna

Helen, did you skim through the thread to see how others got a result? I hesitate to tell you to send a message to the Consul who posts here but that seems to have worked if the system isn't working for you.

Helen79

Hi thank you so much for your reply! I did look through the thread and was initially relieved that others were experiencing the same problems but then became alarmed when it became apparent that no one seems to have experienced a delay quite as long as mine, especially since I know its been processed because they called me (on Aug 5th - 3 weeks ago!) and they have taken the money, so now Im getting really worried that its lost or something. They have my original marriage certificate, my I-94 and my visas in the old passport (which I also need back for my records) and Im basically completely stuck in trying to change my name on anything else here (or starting my green card application) until I have these things back.

Maybe I will give it a few more days before I try to message the consulate. I guess Id just be relieved to know if my case was truely crazily delayed or if other people have also experienced a similar anxious delay (which at least on here they dont seem to have).

Thanks again for your advice!

Sharron_

They took the money for my sons passport on Jul 22nd and we got it back on Aug 14th.

Hope that helps abit. The documents I sent in with the passport were in the same envelope with the new passport.

So I would give it more time. I received it 3 weeks after they took the cash!

meauxna

O dear, what's going on with a green card application? Under some circumstances, you won't want to leave that too long.

Helen79

Thanks for the info Sharron, it has certainly helped to calm me down a little! It will be 3 weeks tomorrow since they took the money so I guess its not that unusual after all. Did they call you with a tracking number or anything or did it just appear?

Re - the green card application, my husband is a US citizen and whilst my visa is good until dec 2010, I really want to get started with the green card thing just so I can get it over and done with (without my passport I cant even legally change my name on my US documents, ss card etc etc). Im just panicking I guess, but I dont see why it would take so long just to mail my things back, espcially now they have cleared the back log.

Thanks so much for the advice, I really do appreciate it!