The form I used is linked to in my original post. I simply downloaded.

In the end I filled out the form and sent it away. I have a small supply of birth certificates so sending one off was not a concern and it did indeed return to me. No issues and the approval letter was received before the start date. So, simple in the end. And the immediate 8.5% boost was a bonus.

I am just about to apply for the state pension.
Does anyone know if it is possible to send the IPC-BR1 via email or does it have to go in the post?
How do you know that they have received the application?

I applied for my uk pension. By post and my birth day has just passed I phoned them and they told me that I would receive a letter with information about this will this be to tell me about when I start getting paid and how much as I have heard nothing from them for months and getting quite anxious that I will never get settled with this .
the man on the phone told me they will also be some security questions that I have to acknowledge. I live in Canada now.

The form and supporting info has to go by post. You don't know if they have received it, fed up waiting for months (as I was) you phone them and get an "oh yes, its being processed".

What would be the best timing for applying for the UK State pension in conjunction with US Social Security? I'll be applying in March 2025 for US social security. I've heard the US will want to know what the UK state pension $ will be at the time of the US application - is that true? If so I was thinking of applying now or next month for the deferred UK pension.
In looking at the UK state pension application form they want IBAN and BIC numbers for direct deposit. I'm unclear if they just want the regular routing/sort code and account number of the US bank but my bank says they do not have an IBAN but has a SWIFT number.

Any help appreciated. Thanks!

If you have fewer than 30 years of SS 'substantial earnings' years, yes. Your SS will be WEP'd if you receive a UK state pension.

I have 34 years of 'substantial earnings' per the SS website table so don't believe I will be WEP'd but thought US SS wanted to know about the British state pension at the time of applying for US SS? If I've met the WEP requirement does the US not want to know the amount of the British state pension or will that question not arise being as I have 34 years? I intend to be open with both sides so there are no problems later. Also curious about what US banking info to give to the UK being as my bank has a SWIFT number but no IBAN.

Thanks

I don't see why the SSA would ask for info about other pensions since in your case whatever other pensions you have cannot affect your SS payments. But if they ask, and you are drawing another pension then sure, let them know.
For banking, all you need is SWIFT + account number

Thanks Pierre Tete. I guess I'm overthinking this (as usual). I'll start with call to UK pensions and go from there. Thanks!

It doesn't have to go by post. I called them with a question about the application and, after going over a few questions, they told me that they had all the information they needed and I didn't need to do anything else. It all worked perfectly fine. That's why I tell people to call first and see what they need.

The question asked was about the form. If you use the form it has to go by post - unless you're going to rol it up very small and feed it down a cable! However, you were able to circumvent all this with just a phone call, makes you wonder why they bother with the form at all!