Re: Passport Delays
 

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.

Re: Passport Delays
 

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!

Re: Passport Delays
 

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!

Re: Passport Delays
 

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

Re: Passport Delays
 

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!

Re: Passport Delays
 

[PM Dean at the consulate. He and his staff are extremely good at what they do. Don't bother doing anything else...



QUOTE=Helen79;7874438]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![/QUOTE]

Re: Passport Delays
 

I got a call from UPS about 8.30am one morning saying they were delivering my passport that day and they did....but you have to sign for it, so be at home!. They didn't give me a tracking number at all.

It came 3 weeks & 2 Days after they took the money...on a Friday. So I wouldn't start making enquiries just yet. I would leave it until the week beginning Sept 7th, before I panicked!

Re: Passport Delays
 

Ok, thanks everyone for your advice, it really helps! I will leave it a few more days and then contact Dean for advice. Im guessing it just got caught up in the delays and I have nothing to worry about but theyre such precious documents I cant help but feel anxious about it (plus I feel like my entire life is on hold until I get it back).

Thanks again

Helen

Re: Passport Delays
 

Feel free to look over my recent successful experience - link below. Start to finish in 28 business days.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=613501

thx

Re: Passport Delays
 

Some of you have noticed that we've removed the on-line status enquiry from our website. This is because processing time has reduced to four weeks, and the on-line enquiry should have only been used if you were due to travel within a rolling six-week time frame.

We did consider retaining the on-line enquiry service but it had been massively abused and we just don't have the resources to continue to manage it (thanks to all those who enquired about applications they never submitted, and for those who were traveling in 2010, 2011, and beyond). The Passport Information Line, operated by Careline Services, can now handle all future enquiries for passports and they should be contacted if you need to travel urgently.

A couple of points to note:

As we progress to the Identity & Passport Service owning UK Passport operations overseas (instead of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office), there will be a number of changes introduced which I'll make you aware of. The first is that the North American Passport Production Centre has been renamed to the UK Passport Service for the Americas and the Caribbean (or UK Passport Service, Washington) for short. You can still access information about British passports at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.

Your local British Consulate will continue to issue Emergency Passports for a one-way journey, but they won't be able to help you with passport renewal enquiries (although they will point you in the direction of the Passport Information Helpline and the website).

One final point on the processing of applications, and I've seen a number of questions regarding charging. The charge is for the processing of the application and not a passport. So it follows that the charge is applied as the first step in the process before an examiner reviews your application. If your application looks valid but is incomplete, you will be asked to supply further information to support your application. If the application is bogus, we will tell you, and retain the application fee.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Dean

Re: Passport Delays
 

In the same boat!

My girlfriend applied 5 weeks ago. Called the help line 3 days ago, was told D.C. embassy would send an email. Nothing. We're leaving on Saturday Sept. 5 for UK. Still don't have any passport news. Does anyone know what we can do?
Thanks, Jon.

Re: Passport Delays
 

This is an update on my 3 kids first time passport application.
Our first 2 children were born in 2003 and 2004 before I married their mother and then we had our last born in 2007 after our marriage.
I was required to fill out a domicile questionnaire since the first 2 kids were born before we were married and they were considered illegitimate kids, but filling out the domicile questionnaire and sending it back to washington which in turn sent it to London, made the kids legitimate.
My 3 kids passports were approved last week and we received all their passports today.
I must commend the power of communication via this forum. Thank you very very much all for your points, comments, assistance and not forgetting to thank D (British Consul). Good Job on your tremendous assistance Dean.
As a follow up, I have read a lot about that it is not necessary to register the kids birth since they have their passports now, but I still find that plausible because in the event something happens to their passport and they cannot find all the documents we sent to washington -- What happens next?
Well, I'll at my earliest convenient register the kids birth and also request for a copy of their registration document which I believe is the BC just like the one I have. It's somehow in the range of $1000 for my 3 kids but it will give my wife and I an the kids piece of mind in the event something happens.

My kids were born in the United states and their application was received in washington 2nd week of April 2009. It took a while firstly because we needed to send the first 2 kids hospital record based on washington's request and then they later discovered we needed to fill out the domicile questionnaire.

I Love this forum and will continue to assist.

Re: Passport Delays
 

I got my passport today!!!
Here's the timeline:

Sept 11th - Sent out stuff via ups regular shipping (11 bucks)

Sept 16th - Embassy received package

Sept 30th - My credit card was charged

Oct 4th - Received an automated phone call from ups that I will be getting a package tomorrow

Oct 5th - I received my passport!

It took 14 business days and 20 total days from the time the embassy received. This was faster than expected!






Here's my thread explaining my situation

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=629804

need urgent HELP!
 

Dean,

After reading through some of this thread you seem to be a massive help to many people and wonder if you could help me in anyway? My brother is getting married in India and we are due to fly 22nd oct, the day i booked my flights i stupidly noticed my passport had expired! I quickly ran to the Chicago office and they told me how to proceed. After checking online and seeing 10 days for the process I breathed a huge sigh of relief, however what has happened since is making me extremely worried.

I have a situation that is starting to become dire! I sent all my papers in for renewal 29th sept, it was showing as received the 30th sept at 10.30 am, however no charge has shown on my credit card to date, I have called the new careline on two occasions at great expense and they have informed me to wait for a call, They aslo told me that i am not in there system. I am still waiting for a call. I have tried every which way to contact someone in washington and get no where. Its only 7 days till my wife and I are due to fly and I do not know how to proceed, any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thankyou very much in advance

Nick Chadwick

Re: Passport Delays
 

Has Anyone heard from dean recently or would know how to contact? im having a problem with my passport and reading through this thread he seems to be a great go to person,

Thank you

Re: Passport Delays
 

When you have made 3 posts on BE you can send a PM. However Deans last post gives the distinct impression the Consulates can no longer help with passport renewal inquiries.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Your posts are also getting hung up because you're including links. Please don't post your email and phone number.
You could try a British Consulate more local to you also; Dean is in charge of Florida and beyond.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Hi all

Does anybody know a good contact to chase delayed passports? Im travelling in 7 days and am getting no help from the care line.

Thankyou

Re: Passport Delays
 

thankyou, chicago is not helping and will not talk on the phone or in person, im at my whits end and not sure how to go foward?

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thank you, I have just done this and will wait for a repsonse, hopefully someone can help me? Not sure how else i can pursue this?

Re: Passport Delays
 

I've replied to you PM. Need some more info from you.

Dean

Re: Passport Delays
 

Bless your heart, Dean. All I could suggest to him was to send an email to the 'complaint' section.

FYI, all the passport links are broken on the Chicago site, and part of the Washington DC site.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thank you,

I have not sent a complaint yet, should I still do so? I do not want to rub anybody the wrong way! Would you still suggest to send a complaint?

Nick

Re: Passport Delays
 

Oh, I defer to Dean on this one. Answer his PM and send him chocolates next week. :)

Re: Passport Delays
 

Thanks,

I'm going to hold on the complaint until I hear more, thank you again for your time.

Nick

Re: Passport Delays
 

meauxna,

hows your day going? Is there anyway I can attach a file to a private message?

thanks Nick

Re: Passport Delays
 

I'll jump in before Mo gets here :p

There is the ability to insert an image into a PM, does that help. Make an image of the file (assuming it is a document or such) and insert it into the message

Re: Passport Delays
 

thankyou

Re: Passport Delays
 

Not a document, just an image, as lansbury says.
Email is nice too.

Re: Passport Delays
 

thank you so much for all your help, I believe I have spoke to someone today who can help with the problem at the consulate, I understand that my passport may or should be with me Monday. I would like to thank you for your time and help, and here's to crossed fingers!

Nick.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Great news!
Happy travels :)

Re: Passport Delays
 

10 working days still showing on the website as the time for processing passports. Careline rep told me today that that timeline starts when they process payment not when they receive the application. And they can process payment whenever they want - currently they're hitting between 7 and 10 working days. So, basically the 10 day processing time is a complete fallacy.

Re: Passport Delays
 

I'm in a similar situation. They received my application 15 working days ago though and still nothing.

Re: Passport Delays
 

Omg I just found this thread and I mailed my passport to the Embassy in DC this week. USPS tracking shows it was received there today. I was planning a trip over the Christmas hoilday but now I'm worried my passport wont be here!

Re: Passport Delays
 

Plenty of time. Don't worry.

Dean

Re: Passport Delays
 

I'm going back for Christmas too. Fingers crossed

Re: Passport Delays
 

Just in case this helps, our passports came back in less than 10 days :)

Re: Passport Delays
 

How long did it take them to take out the payment? Mine has already been 15 working days.

Re: Passport Delays
 

okey dokey thanks -
though I should be worried I spelled holiday as hoilday

Re: Passport Delays
 

wow: cool!