British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[BigSam]

How much extra did you pay for special delivery for your return of documents?

£3.00 which is a bargain if you compare it to Royal Mail Special Delivery.

IPS will return your documents by TheDX and if you give them a call a few days after you apply, they will give you the reference number to track your documents online!!

[kindle]

How much extra did you pay for special delivery for your return of documents?

£3.00 which is a bargain if you compare it to Royal Mail Special Delivery.

IPS will return your documents by TheDX and if you give them a call a few days after you apply, they will give you the reference number to track your documents online!!

Thanks BigSam. If I apply for my passport by post (not via check & send), I need to fill in a payment form. I am wondering how much I need to write including the special delivery?

[BigSam]

Thanks BigSam. If I apply for my passport by post (not via check & send), I need to fill in a payment form. I am wondering how much I need to write including the special delivery?

You are welcome buddy!!

The amount you need to write is £75.50 (which is £72.50 for passport fees plus the £3.00 for secure return of documents)

IPS are absolutely brilliant, even if you put a completley made up amount, they will still charge you the correct fees. See below extract from their notes:

"If you do not write the correct fee in the instruction, we will still charge the correct fee for the service you have asked for"

In the same document, the IPS says:

"What you can expect from us
Our staff will be polite, helpful and professional"

I can confirm that the above is an accurate description of their service

[kindle]

Thank you so much BigSam! Your post is so helpful. I am clear now.

Thank you again!

[jagait]

Thanks BigSam. If I apply for my passport by post (not via check & send), I need to fill in a payment form. I am wondering how much I need to write including the special delivery?

You are welcome buddy!!

The amount you need to write is £75.50 (which is £72.50 for passport fees plus the £3.00 for secure return of documents)

IPS are absolutely brilliant, even if you put a completley made up amount, they will still charge you the correct fees. See below extract from their notes:


"If you do not write the correct fee in the instruction, we will still charge the correct fee for the service you have asked for"

In the same document, the IPS says:

"What you can expect from us
Our staff will be polite, helpful and professional"

I can confirm that the above is an accurate description of their service

Wow, ukba charge a fortune and still provide shambolic service. So glad my dealing with ukba are now over

[totallylegit]

I was going to apply for my first passport on 8th April after I have my citizenship ceremony this Friday. I see that it doesnt take long for IPS to return documents. I have travel plans on May 1st- do you think it is safe to assume that I will get my old passport back before then? I don't need the British one to travel just yet, but will definitely need my old one back . . .3 and a half weeks for them to return my old passport?

[artfreak9]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 27/2/13
Date application received by IPS: 28/02/13 (i suppose)
Date of return of documents: Attempted - 12/03/2013 but rescheduled for 16/03/2013 with courier.
Date of receipt of interview letter: Initial - 08/03/2013 - Final interview letter arrived around the 20/03/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/03/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: 27/03/2013

Finally in possession of my British Passport.. 6 Years!!! long journey has ended and looking forward to future journeys...

Wishing everyone all the best with their applications and many thanks to all who helped with comments and suggestions and Thanks to all the moderators for making this a very helpful blog!
Good Luck all!
regards,
Rohan...

[kdsuk]

Congratulations Rohan(Artfreak9)

[Tinglymeatcroydon]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 27/2/13
Date application received by IPS: 28/02/13 (i suppose)
Date of return of documents: Attempted - 12/03/2013 but rescheduled for 16/03/2013 with courier.
Date of receipt of interview letter: Initial - 08/03/2013 - Final interview letter arrived around the 20/03/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/03/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: 27/03/2013

Finally in possession of my British Passport.. 6 Years!!! long journey has ended and looking forward to future journeys...

Wishing everyone all the best with their applications and many thanks to all who helped with comments and suggestions and Thanks to all the moderators for making this a very helpful blog!
Good Luck all!
regards,
Rohan...

So happy for you- cant wait for that to be me..! Congrats! I only submitted my naturalisation application on 21/02/2013 so hoping the weeks roll by pretty quickly and all my paperwork is returned to me okay with approval!

[helpwithilr]

quick question guys. did anyone get asked grandparents details in the interview. from what i can see everyone has been asked parents details

[malik0073]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 14/03/2013
Date application received by IPS:?
Date of return of documents: 20/03/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 20/03/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: 03/04/2013

And i am done.

[REGISTRATION]

Thanks BigSam. If I apply for my passport by post (not via check & send), I need to fill in a payment form. I am wondering how much I need to write including the special delivery?

You are welcome buddy!!

The amount you need to write is £75.50 (which is £72.50 for passport fees plus the £3.00 for secure return of documents)

IPS are absolutely brilliant, even if you put a completley made up amount, they will still charge you the correct fees. See below extract from their notes:


"If you do not write the correct fee in the instruction, we will still charge the correct fee for the service you have asked for"

In the same document, the IPS says:

"What you can expect from us
Our staff will be polite, helpful and professional"

I can confirm that the above is an accurate description of their service

Wow, ukba charge a fortune and still provide shambolic service. So glad my dealing with ukba are now over

UKBA treats foreign nationals and IPS treats UK nationals - I think that makes the difference

[dan2013]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 26/03/2013
Date application received by IPS:?
Date of return of documents: 15/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 17/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment:19/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt: 24/04/20103
At the last I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Thanks every one in this forum

[seanjoe]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 23/3/13
Date application received by IPS: 25/03/13 (i suppose)
Date of return of documents: 06/04/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 06/04/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: tbc
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

[Nigerian]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check and Send
Date of application: 25/03/2013
Date application received by IPS: 27/03/2013 (called IPS to check)
Date of return of documents: (Paid for recorded delvery)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 06/04/2013 (dated 04/04/2013)
Date of Passport Appointment: 11/04/2013(Chelmsford)
Date of Passport Receipt: 15/04/2013 (dated 11/04/2013).

[cabarete]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 08/04/2013
Date application received by IPS:
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[Help on hand]

Passport for: 2 Adults
Application Type: New (NATURALISATION EEA)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 18/03/2013
Date application received by IPS: 20/03/2013
Date of return of documents:28/03/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter:26/03/2013, DATED 25/03/2013
Date of Passport interview Appointment: 02/04/2013
Date of Passport Receipt:04/04/2013 DATED 02/04/2013

HAPPY DAYS

I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE CHECK AND SEND SERVICE FROM POST OFFICE IT SAVES THE HASSLE AND TIME IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES ON APPLICATION FORM AND FOR SAFE DELIVERY. MY RETURNED DOCUMENTS ARRIVED SAFELY THOROUGH SPECIAL DELIVERY WHICH I TICKED ON APPLICATION FORM(EXTRA £3).
I CALLED IPS AFTER 4 DAYS TO ENQUIRY ABOUT IF THEY HAVE RECEIVED MY APPLICATION OR NOT, THEY SAID MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL THE INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT LETTER IS ON POST. VERY FRIENDLY STAFF ON THE PHONE.
AFTER I RECEIVED LETTER FOR INTERVIEW, CALLED THEM TO ARRANGE THE DAY, CENTRAL LONDON OFFICE SEEMS TO BE THE BUSIEST SO I DECIDED TO GO FOR LUTON OFFICE. THEY SENT ME ANOTHER LETTER WITH CONFIRMATION OF INTERVIEW DATE.
ON INTERVIEW DAY I ARRIVED WELL EARLY FOUND THE PARKING PLACE JUST OPPOSITE THE IPS BUILDING COST AROUND £1.50 UPTO 2 HRS. ONCE INSIDE BUILDING SECURITY ASKED ME TO SIGN IN BOOK AND TOLD ME TO GO TO 4TH FLOOR TURN LEFT AND LEFT AGAIN. AT IPS RECEPTION LADY ASKED ME TO CONFIRM MY NAME AND TOLD ME I HAVE TO SPELL MY FULL NAME AT INTERVIEW AND IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE I NEEDED AND ASKED ME TO SIT IN WAITING AREA TO BE CALLED THERE WERE FEW PEOPLE WAITING. MAKE SURE YOUR MOBILE PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF. THEN A LADY CALLED MY NAME FOR INTERVIEW WHICH WAS 15 MINS LATER THAN APPOINTMENT TIME. SHE APOLOGISED FOR LATE, VERY FRIENDLY LADY.
HERE ARE THE QUESTION SHE ASKED ME:-

HOW DID YOU COME HERE? MEANS OF TRANSPORT?
HAVE YOU BEEN HERE(TOWN) BEFORE?
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS OFFICE FOR INTERVIEW NOT LONDON?
PLEASE SPELL YOUR FULL NAME
DATE OF BIRTH
WHEN DID YOU COME TO UK? AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE?
ARE YOU MARRIED?
WIFE'S DATE OF BIRTH
HOW DID YOU MEET HER?
WHAT SHE DOES?
ANY KIDS?
WERE THEY BORN HERE? DO THEY ALREADY HOLD BRITISH PASSPORT?
HOW OLD ARE THEY?
DO THEY GO TO SCHOOL? WHICH?
FATHERS AND MOTHERS FULL NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH
WHERE THEY CURRENTLY LIVE?
DO YOU HAVE LOAN AND CREDIT CARD?
YOUR ACCOMMODATION OWED BY YOU OR RENTED?
WHAT IS THE NAME OF COUNTER SIGNATORY?
WHERE SHE LIVES? WHAT SHE DOES? AND HOW DO YOU KNOW HER?

THAT WAS THE END OF INTERVIEW. I THINK THATS ALL I CAN REMEMBER OF QUESTIONS, VERY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER ALL THE DETAILS YOU FILLED OUT ON FORM (MAKE PHOTO COPY OF FILLED FORM).
ON 04/04/2013 I RECEIVED PASSPORT FROM IPS THROUGH LETTER BOX NO SIGN NEEDED. END OF THE JOURNEY FOR ME.

THIS FORUM HAS GIVEN ME LOTS OF HELP AND INFORMATION DURING THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH. VERY HELPFUL PEOPLE. THANKS ALL THE EXPERTS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. BEST WISHES

[dan2013]

Can some body share information with this question pls. How could u tarck the application received by IPS?
Thanks

[niruv]

WHAT IS THE NAME OF COUNTER SIGNATORY? - Who is counter signatory?

[ZAB2121]

I submitted my application through Post Office check and send service on Friday 5th April but I was not given a postoffice tracking number so I rang IPS this morning on 9th April and I was told that IPS just started processing my application on 9th and will take atleast 2 week for an appointment letter to be sent over. But if I dont recieve this letter in 2 weeks from now then I can call IPS and ask them to provide a reference number and based on that I will be given an appointment.

[alisha123]

Passport for: 1 Adult & 1 minor
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 27/3/13
Date application received by IPS: ?
Date of return of documents: not yet
Date of receipt of interview letter: not yet
Date of Passport Appointment: tbc
Date of Passport Receipt: tbc

[kmore97]

Hi all,
I have taken photos 3 months ago for my Naturalisation application. Now applying for passport - can I use the same photo? The photos are otherwise good except - taken 3 months ago and used in naturalisation application.

[ukforever]

Hi all,
I have taken photos 3 months ago for my Naturalisation application. Now applying for passport - can I use the same photo? The photos are otherwise good except - taken 3 months ago and used in naturalisation application.

i'm afraid u need to send new ones ,i've read recently in this forum i think in the thread * General discussion after BC and Passport application*..i'm not sure,someone had been asked to send new pictures for his passport application and had to send a new one..i don't know how they find out but they did and it just delayed his application,so what i suggest is u might take new ones and then send them,if u want to take the risk,it would just delay your application.

[ZAB2121]

Hi all,
i'm afraid u need to send new ones ,i've read recently in this forum i think in the thread * General discussion after BC and Passport application*..i'm not sure,someone had been asked to send new pictures for his passport application and had to send a new one..i don't know how they find out but they did and it just delayed his application,so what i suggest is u might take new ones and then send them,if u want to take the risk,it would just delay your application.

No I dont think there has to be a different photo for naturalisation and passport application. But it has to be taken within certain time frame e.g 3 months.

[alisha123]

Passport for: 1 Adult & 1 minor
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 27/3/13
Date application received by IPS: ?
Date of return of documents: 10-04-13 (minor)
Date of return of documents: 11-04-13 ( Adult)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 9-04-13 (for Adult dated 8-04-13)
Date of Passport Appointment: 15-04-13 (Reading)
Date of Passport Receipt: 10-04-13(minor issued on the 8-04-13)
Date of Passport Receipt :17-04-13(Adult issued on 15-04-13)