Passport Delays
#811
Re: Passport Delays
#812
Re: Passport Delays
In the interest of continuity.... called Careline again today (5 1/2 weeks) - got to feel sorry for the shmuck at the other end, not his fault - and guess what.... "they know nothing and will escalate". I really do sympathize with the proverbial mushroom! Of course, no reply to any of the email I send to Washington.... but then again, why should they give a S&*t, they are only public servants after all! Would be fascinated to know what metrics they use to measure quality of service provided.... or am I just being naive again? Just like the time I believed what they said on their website. You would think I would know better after 29 years as an expat!
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...ort-complaint/
and
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...dback-service/
Drop me a PM with the email address you've been using and I'll follow it up.
Dean
Last edited by British Consul; Jul 31st 2010 at 1:17 pm.
#813
Re: Passport Delays
In the interest of continuity.... called Careline again today (5 1/2 weeks) - got to feel sorry for the shmuck at the other end, not his fault - and guess what.... "they know nothing and will escalate". I really do sympathize with the proverbial mushroom! Of course, no reply to any of the email I send to Washington.... but then again, why should they give a S&*t, they are only public servants after all! Would be fascinated to know what metrics they use to measure quality of service provided.... or am I just being naive again? Just like the time I believed what they said on their website. You would think I would know better after 29 years as an expat!
#814
Re: Passport Delays
I'm not sure which email address you've used for the UK Passport Office in Washington as there isn't an advertised one. You might like to try the following instead:
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...ort-complaint/
and
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...dback-service/
Drop me a PM with the email address you've been using and I'll follow it up.
Dean
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...ort-complaint/
and
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...dback-service/
Drop me a PM with the email address you've been using and I'll follow it up.
Dean
Last edited by Spikus; Jul 31st 2010 at 3:56 pm.
#815
Re: Passport Delays
No... first of all, compared to colleagues of multiple nationalities, my UK passport has proven to be one of the easiest to travel on and I have had no reason to consider another nationality. Secondly, due to the nature of my job, my family and I change country of assignment approx every 3 years. We have been doing this for 29 years now and are on our second circuit of the world. So even if I did decide to add another passport, it would be difficult to meet the residency requirements.... we are never in one place for long enough!
#816
Re: Passport Delays
No... first of all, compared to colleagues of multiple nationalities, my UK passport has proven to be one of the easiest to travel on and I have had no reason to consider another nationality. Secondly, due to the nature of my job, my family and I change country of assignment approx every 3 years. We have been doing this for 29 years now and are on our second circuit of the world. So even if I did decide to add another passport, it would be difficult to meet the residency requirements.... we are never in one place for long enough!
#817
Re: Passport Delays
UK passport may not be as easy to travel on as it once was, therein lies your problem. As for the rest, moving every 3 years usually makes it impossible to acquire a foreign citizenship and unless you are keen to settle back in the United Kingdom at some point, perhaps that should be your priority now?
#818
Re: Passport Delays
In the interest of continuity.... called Careline again today (5 1/2 weeks) - got to feel sorry for the shmuck at the other end, not his fault - and guess what.... "they know nothing and will escalate". I really do sympathize with the proverbial mushroom! Of course, no reply to any of the email I send to Washington.... but then again, why should they give a S&*t, they are only public servants after all! Would be fascinated to know what metrics they use to measure quality of service provided.... or am I just being naive again? Just like the time I believed what they said on their website. You would think I would know better after 29 years as an expat!
#819
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 16
Re: Passport Delays
Passport arrived this morning! Four days before we travel, with of course no explanation as to why it was rejected the first time. I'm very relieved.
My timeline:
We're (hopefully) leaving August 7th for our first trip "home" in six years. I sent off my passport for renewal and name change at the end of May. It doesn't expire until next March, but it still has my old name on it.
4th June: Application received at British Embassy in DC
16th June: Credit card charged
7th July: Application returned, rejected. Highlighted on the form letter as reason for rejection are the name change documents.
7th July: Call the "Careline". Representative confirms that I sent the right documents and the application should not have been returned. Recommends I send it back with additional evidence of new name and Strongly Worded Letter.
Still 7th July (busy day): Send application back with copies of all my photo ID, plus the documents I sent the first time, plus Strongly Worded Letter
8th July: Application received at British Embassy in DC
8th July: Credit card charged $13.30. Presumably return postage?
We're (hopefully) leaving August 7th for our first trip "home" in six years. I sent off my passport for renewal and name change at the end of May. It doesn't expire until next March, but it still has my old name on it.
4th June: Application received at British Embassy in DC
16th June: Credit card charged
7th July: Application returned, rejected. Highlighted on the form letter as reason for rejection are the name change documents.
7th July: Call the "Careline". Representative confirms that I sent the right documents and the application should not have been returned. Recommends I send it back with additional evidence of new name and Strongly Worded Letter.
Still 7th July (busy day): Send application back with copies of all my photo ID, plus the documents I sent the first time, plus Strongly Worded Letter
8th July: Application received at British Embassy in DC
8th July: Credit card charged $13.30. Presumably return postage?
#820
Re: Passport Delays
Glad to hear that things worked out for you in the end. Not at all surprised at lack of any explanation, or heaven forbid.... an apology for trouble or anxiety caused! These people are a law unto themselves.
#821
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: California
Posts: 16
Re: Passport Delays
Yeah, I wasn't expecting anything...but dammit, I'd like to KNOW.
#822
Re: Passport Delays
So, today marks 6 weeks since payment was taken and still no idea of when I can expect to receive passport. Vacation plans now totally destroyed, start date for new assignment in UAE on indefinite pause and the hotel room resembling a prison cell. Worst is yet to come when I have to call sister in UK and tell her that I will not be giving her away at her wedding. The arrogant indifference of Washington is unbelievable.
Longer term, if your wife is French, have you thought about becoming a French citizen (I think it still may be possible to become a French citizen by marriage), that way you could have a French passport.
Alternatively you could be one of the 10% or so of British citizens entitled to an Irish passport.
#823
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 78
Re: Passport Delays
Just a suggestion - have you tried calling your local British Consulate and very politely asking them to make enquiries? Every British Consulate has Consular Officers who can help in certain circumstances and, failing expedition of your current passport application, they also issue "emergency passports". An "emergency passport" will get you into the UK and from there you can apply for the full passport using expedited service - I know this isn't ideal but might solve your travel problems.
#824
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: nr Philly USA via Miami and Kingston Surrey
Posts: 3
Re: Passport Delays
I just received my old passport back after 4 weeks exactly....Only problem is my new one was not with it
They Need something from me that i do not have ....ie up to date id photo on USA passport or alien reg card ....
I wanted to send a private message to the British consul on here but I need to leave a couple more posts before I can !!!!
Help !!!!
They Need something from me that i do not have ....ie up to date id photo on USA passport or alien reg card ....
I wanted to send a private message to the British consul on here but I need to leave a couple more posts before I can !!!!
Help !!!!
#825
Re: Passport Delays
Just a suggestion - have you tried calling your local British Consulate and very politely asking them to make enquiries? Every British Consulate has Consular Officers who can help in certain circumstances and, failing expedition of your current passport application, they also issue "emergency passports". An "emergency passport" will get you into the UK and from there you can apply for the full passport using expedited service - I know this isn't ideal but might solve your travel problems.