UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
May 11th 2011, 2:03 am
#256
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Hi all,
I'm really at a loss on what I should do here. My renewal application was received on March 16 (per UPS website). There had not been any charge on my credit card so I called the care line approx 5 weeks later. The response was that my application was not in the system and I would get a call back in 3 working days. I waited 6 before placing a second call after not hearing back. Still nothing showing up in their system. I was told I would hear back again and this time I received an email asking for the UPS tracking number and details on applicants name, etc. I responded and waited a week. I then sent a follow email because I received no response from my original email. Still nothing. I think that close to 8 weeks is much longer than what others have been seeing especially since my credit card has never been charged. The documents I sent included my original birth certificate plus my expired passport. I am hesitant to call the care line again as I've already spent $25 to get nowhere. My fear is that the package is lost at the consulate.
Does anyone have any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!
I'm really at a loss on what I should do here. My renewal application was received on March 16 (per UPS website). There had not been any charge on my credit card so I called the care line approx 5 weeks later. The response was that my application was not in the system and I would get a call back in 3 working days. I waited 6 before placing a second call after not hearing back. Still nothing showing up in their system. I was told I would hear back again and this time I received an email asking for the UPS tracking number and details on applicants name, etc. I responded and waited a week. I then sent a follow email because I received no response from my original email. Still nothing. I think that close to 8 weeks is much longer than what others have been seeing especially since my credit card has never been charged. The documents I sent included my original birth certificate plus my expired passport. I am hesitant to call the care line again as I've already spent $25 to get nowhere. My fear is that the package is lost at the consulate.
Does anyone have any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!
May 11th 2011, 4:02 am
#257
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I never ever got a call back from the Careline people, even when they promised to call back within a certain amount of time.
It took them a month to charge my card after receiving my package, but your stuff seems to be taking super long. I wonder if you can get something from the UPS website, a signature of the person who signed for your package?
If you aren't in a hurry to travel I wouldn't panic quite yet. It seems so variable, how long it takes for a card to be charged etc.
It took them a month to charge my card after receiving my package, but your stuff seems to be taking super long. I wonder if you can get something from the UPS website, a signature of the person who signed for your package?
If you aren't in a hurry to travel I wouldn't panic quite yet. It seems so variable, how long it takes for a card to be charged etc.
May 11th 2011, 1:48 pm
#258
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
May 11th 2011, 3:23 pm
#259
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
May 11th 2011, 4:09 pm
#260
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
This is my first post on here in 5 years. Great to be back, though I forgot my original user ID and password!
Well, I mailed my application on March 2nd via Certified Mail. I got a return receipt on March 16th. $233 was debited from my card on April 1st.
Still no passport, even though they've had my money for nearly six weeks now.
What worries me more than anything is theft and identity fraud, because it has happened to me before since coming to the US to live.
Today I have written a letter to the Consul to complain about the shoddy service. I can't be bothered with hanging on the end of a phone line.
Good luck to all those waiting.
Well, I mailed my application on March 2nd via Certified Mail. I got a return receipt on March 16th. $233 was debited from my card on April 1st.
Still no passport, even though they've had my money for nearly six weeks now.
What worries me more than anything is theft and identity fraud, because it has happened to me before since coming to the US to live.
Today I have written a letter to the Consul to complain about the shoddy service. I can't be bothered with hanging on the end of a phone line.
Good luck to all those waiting.
May 12th 2011, 3:27 am
#261
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I never ever got a call back from the Careline people, even when they promised to call back within a certain amount of time.
It took them a month to charge my card after receiving my package, but your stuff seems to be taking super long. I wonder if you can get something from the UPS website, a signature of the person who signed for your package?
If you aren't in a hurry to travel I wouldn't panic quite yet. It seems so variable, how long it takes for a card to be charged etc.
It took them a month to charge my card after receiving my package, but your stuff seems to be taking super long. I wonder if you can get something from the UPS website, a signature of the person who signed for your package?
If you aren't in a hurry to travel I wouldn't panic quite yet. It seems so variable, how long it takes for a card to be charged etc.
May 12th 2011, 4:45 am
#262
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Kelly, I decided to write to the Consul instead of phoning because "all complaints will be investigated" and they are duty bound to respond within two weeks (see below).
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...port-complaint
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...port-complaint
May 12th 2011, 7:17 pm
#263
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 47
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Hi all,
I'm really at a loss on what I should do here. My renewal application was received on March 16 (per UPS website). There had not been any charge on my credit card so I called the care line approx 5 weeks later. The response was that my application was not in the system and I would get a call back in 3 working days. I waited 6 before placing a second call after not hearing back. Still nothing showing up in their system. I was told I would hear back again and this time I received an email asking for the UPS tracking number and details on applicants name, etc. I responded and waited a week. I then sent a follow email because I received no response from my original email. Still nothing. I think that close to 8 weeks is much longer than what others have been seeing especially since my credit card has never been charged. The documents I sent included my original birth certificate plus my expired passport. I am hesitant to call the care line again as I've already spent $25 to get nowhere. My fear is that the package is lost at the consulate.
Does anyone have any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!
I'm really at a loss on what I should do here. My renewal application was received on March 16 (per UPS website). There had not been any charge on my credit card so I called the care line approx 5 weeks later. The response was that my application was not in the system and I would get a call back in 3 working days. I waited 6 before placing a second call after not hearing back. Still nothing showing up in their system. I was told I would hear back again and this time I received an email asking for the UPS tracking number and details on applicants name, etc. I responded and waited a week. I then sent a follow email because I received no response from my original email. Still nothing. I think that close to 8 weeks is much longer than what others have been seeing especially since my credit card has never been charged. The documents I sent included my original birth certificate plus my expired passport. I am hesitant to call the care line again as I've already spent $25 to get nowhere. My fear is that the package is lost at the consulate.
Does anyone have any suggestion?
Thanks in advance!
This Friday (May13! - Yeah Friday the 13th) marks 6 weeks since they took payment for my daughters application - it'll be her first passport.
After reading all the woes about the Careline (irony at its best) I really have no time or inclination to waste my money on it.
Fortunately I don't need this in a hurry like many of you seem to, so I can wait it out, but waiting this long for "no brainer" passport applications is utterly criminal to my mind.
I can see now that I was very VERY lucky to have my passport renewed in literally one week last October - that was from date of me mailing it out, to receiving my new one. Just incredibly fast!
Will keep you posted if this new passport for my daughter shows up tomorrow...or when it does I'll post again! Cheers all!
May 12th 2011, 8:05 pm
#264
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 17
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
While i don't need my passport immediately i do need it reasonably soon. So i chose against the careline call also because they haven't taken payment yet so it would be pointless. I did however write a letter of complaint to the embassy because delays or not they have had my application for 6 weeks now and payment hasn't been taken. This is unacceptable. If it were any other business/service they would have lost all their customers, sadly they don't have any competition so feel like they can act however they please.
The fact of the matter is the website says 4 weeks (or 6 because of delays) that should start when they receive the application and sign for it no when they can be bothered to cash the payment and do their jobs. Its embarrassing that when you look at other countries passport renewal procedure abroad the UK has the worse and seemingly most unprofessional. While there are some employees (such as Dean) who do care and do want to do their jobs it seems the vast majority are just an embarrassment to the UK and an insult to us, the people who require their assistance (and we are paying for it also)
Rant Over
The fact of the matter is the website says 4 weeks (or 6 because of delays) that should start when they receive the application and sign for it no when they can be bothered to cash the payment and do their jobs. Its embarrassing that when you look at other countries passport renewal procedure abroad the UK has the worse and seemingly most unprofessional. While there are some employees (such as Dean) who do care and do want to do their jobs it seems the vast majority are just an embarrassment to the UK and an insult to us, the people who require their assistance (and we are paying for it also)
Rant Over
Last edited by nsdale; May 12th 2011 at 8:12 pm.
May 12th 2011, 8:21 pm
#265
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 47
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
While i don't need my passport immediately i do need it reasonably soon. So i chose against the careline call also because they haven't taken payment yet so it would be pointless. I did however write a letter of complaint to the embassy because delays or not they have had my application for 6 weeks now and payment hasn't been taken. This is unacceptable. If it were any other business/service they would have lost all their customers, sadly they don't have any competition so feel like they can act however they please.
The fact of the matter is the website says 4 weeks (or 6 because of delays) that should start when they receive the application and sign for it no when they can be bothered to cash the payment and do their jobs. Its embarrassing that when you look at other countries passport renewal procedure abroad the UK has the worse and seemingly most unprofessional. While there are some employees (such as Dean) who do care and do want to do their jobs it seems the vast majority are just an embarrassment to the UK and an insult to us, the people who require their assistance (and we are paying for it also)
Rant Over
The fact of the matter is the website says 4 weeks (or 6 because of delays) that should start when they receive the application and sign for it no when they can be bothered to cash the payment and do their jobs. Its embarrassing that when you look at other countries passport renewal procedure abroad the UK has the worse and seemingly most unprofessional. While there are some employees (such as Dean) who do care and do want to do their jobs it seems the vast majority are just an embarrassment to the UK and an insult to us, the people who require their assistance (and we are paying for it also)
Rant Over
As a point of interest, I'm renewing my Canadian PR card right now and that's been running virtually in tandem with this passport application for my daughter. My PR card app is also trackable online, so I am getting great feedback and updates FOR FREE. I just saw today that it's been processed and I can expect to get my new card in a few weeks.
Come on Britain - if Canada can get it's act together, why can't we?!
May 13th 2011, 1:02 am
#266
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
Kelly, I decided to write to the Consul instead of phoning because "all complaints will be investigated" and they are duty bound to respond within two weeks (see below).
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...port-complaint
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...port-complaint
May 13th 2011, 4:55 am
#267
Just Joined
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
My wait has been 11 weeks.
May 13th 2011, 5:50 am
#268
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
4 weeks since credit card was charged. Still nothing.
May 15th 2011, 5:53 pm
#269
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5
Re: UK Passport Renewal taking a really long time
I sent my daughter's passport renewal application on April 22nd and it was received on April 24th (per UPS website). I sent a certified bankers cheque. (I still have not received the green certified mail receipt).
We are travelling to the UK on 5th July 2011 for my husbands grandmothers 90th birthday party. I am concerned by reports on here that passports are taking way longer than the 4-6 weeks processing time quoted on the British Embassy website!
Should I be worried? And does anyone have any advice?
We are travelling to the UK on 5th July 2011 for my husbands grandmothers 90th birthday party. I am concerned by reports on here that passports are taking way longer than the 4-6 weeks processing time quoted on the British Embassy website!
Should I be worried? And does anyone have any advice?
