N1cky

Thought I'd post my experience of renewing our UK Passports from the US. They've launched a new service where you can apply online, you take your photos yourself, using your phone, and upload them into your application. When you upload, it tells you if the photo is good enough quality, or if the background is too dark, shadow... This was the most problematic part, husbands photo uploaded at the 2nd attempt, mine took around 20 attempts, and I ended up uploading a selfie

1/22/18 Applied online, received confirmation that application was received
1/24/18 Posted old passports back (both in same envelope)
1/31/18 Received confirmation that passports were received and our application had been moved to processing queue
2/2/18 Received notification that passports had been approved
2/2/18 Received notification that passports were being mailed to us, and they should be here within 7 days.

Much easier than messing around getting a UK photo in the US... Great service so far

Floridablues

Thanks for this info as i need to renew my expired passport.
Could you reveal the cost and service you used to return your old passports, and the cost of your new UK passport...thanks

excpomea

We used a handy app on my iphone for the photos.
It sets the passport photo correctly for the country of choice.
very fast turnaround.

durham_lad

That sounds great, I’ll let our daughter know about this new option.

kins

Good to know - we need to renew my daughter's and had not got round to it. Will give it a go with this new system.

N1cky

I sent the passports back via USPS, signature required service, it cost just under $10, including the purchase of a document envelope to send them in.

The actual passport and return delivery via DHL (which you have to pay each individually) was a charge of $143.93, GBP 102.86.

ChrisK

The online system is extremely efficient. I was going to be back in the UK anyway, so did all the online application, booked an appointment ahead of time, and took 5 minutes to collect it in person.

Bob

A friend got hers done within 10 days, a couple weeks ago.

plasticbag_uk

I renewed my British passport a couple of years ago and the whole process took 14 days, my new document was mailed to me from my old home town 'Northampton'