rivercam wrote:maddy
update-- my application got returned again today. reason being--fathers original passport at the time of child's birth is missing. To be honest, I included both parents passports in original and wrote cover letter with bold letters explaining everything but no use. The guy whoever innewdelhi seems to be not to bother to read/check
either coverletter/documents.
I scanned the return letter and sent to overseas department newport for explaination. you are right for noreason the guy is looking at Table B.
I think iam wasting my energy and time with BHC delhi and will apply ROA soon.
I ask you/your friend please make complaint to
overseasNewportCCC@hmpo.gsi.gov.uk about BHC newdelhi so that atleast other people in future will benefit.please scan the return letter pointing thier mistake if possible.
I'm really sorry to hear this Rivercam. I can understand how frustrating it is. I have made a complaint to passport enquiries earlier and they behave like there is no connection between them and BHC, Delhi.
Following is the e-mial I have sent
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Applying British Passport for UK born child from India, when parents are in UK
I’m settled person in UK and UK tax payer from past 8 years. I’m currently working in UK for one the biggest construction company. My son is born in UK and he is eligible to apply for a British Passport. I have already registered my son as British citizen using MN1 application form and received his British citizen registration certificate.
Back in 2012, my son and wife travelled to India along with me on December 2012 and they had to stay back in India due to family circumstances and for various religious attendance. Now my wife got visa under settlement category as dependent of settled person and she is currently residing in India at the moment.
Since, I have registered my son as British citizen; I have no other option except to apply for a British Passport. Application for his British Passport has been sent to British High Commission, New Delhi by his mother from India. However, this application has been returned back to my wife saying we need to provide following:
1. Counter signatory should be working professional
o In application Guidance (Page 10) it is mentioned that counter signatory can be either working or retired professional – In the application countersignature is done by retired professional and they haven’t accepted it
2. Parents Original Passports
o I have given explanation below
3. Address on the application form should match parents address proof
o If I’m in UK from past 8 years, how can I show address proof in India?
Out of the above documents they requested, the most interesting and puzzling one is parent’s original passports. My wife submitted her original passport. But, how can I send my original Indian passport, when I’m residing in UK? Considering I’m working in UK and application process time takes 16 weeks, it would be very difficult and impossible situation for me to go to India, send my passport along with application and wait for around 16 weeks.
I have submitted colour photocopies of all pages of my passport (including blank pages) attested by UK solicitor along with the application. Also to remind you, my son is already registered as British Citizen and my passport is verified by UKBA for that application.
We have explained my current situtaion detailing why I couldn't send my passport along with my son's British Passport application to British High Commission, New Delhi in cover letter.
Would you please advise on what documents would be acceptable in my situation?
for that I got following reply
Good Afternoon
Thank you for your email.
In answer to your queries:
- As noted in our notes for guidance, a retired professional would be an acceptable countersignatory. Therefore if your countersignatory fulfils the other criteria then we would suggest when you re-submit the application that you let the New Delhi office know that you have checked with the Newport Customer Contact Centre.
- Again please let the New Delhi office know in a covering letter why you cannot submit your passport and that you have checked with the Newport Customer Contact Centre that your explanation and the photocopies of your passport will be given consideration.
- If the child is in India, the child and the person making the application on behalf of the child must be in India when the application is submitted and provide proof of residence at the Indian address given on the form. If you are not in India we would suggest that your wife makes the application on behalf of the child as she should be able to provide address evidence.
- You must submit photocopies of each supporting document you are submitting with the application.
Regards
So, Newport office suggested to explain everything on covering letter.
From your situtation, clearly we can say that they are not reading covering letters at all.
It looks like they just check the documents against checklist and reject if don't find what they wanted to see.
However, there is another way of applying for British Passport according to my close friend (parents living in UK and child is in India - parents got ILR, child registered as British Citizen).
He contacted passport enquiries here in UK and one of the manager suggested to send the application (using same application form the we use from India) to UK address instead of BHC, Delhi. So he submitted application accordingly yesterday and waiting for decision.
I think best bet you have at the moment is to apply for RoA. I'm still awaiting on my child's RoA decision, I will update the result as soon I know.
