New citizenship form UKF

[Fulgrun]

@ a_powers - I take it you are still waiting for your consular appointment. Just thought I would pass this along if you are getting antsy. Keep in mind that you have 3 months from the date of the letter noticing you of your application success (unless an extension of time is given). You should hear from them about scheduling the ceremony around three weeks before that deadline. If not you might to make an inquiry with the consulate, regardless of whatever timeline the notice letter gave you to forbear from making an inquiry.

[a_powers]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.

Now on to the passport!

[Fulgrun]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.

Now on to the passport!

Congrats!

[a_powers]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.
September 19, 2016 - Mailed UK passport application via USPS. Used online system. Included original UK certificate of registration, all pages of US passport color copied, photo page of countersignatory US passport color copied, two identical photos one signed by countersignatory, and form.

[a_powers]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.
September 19, 2016 - Mailed UK passport application via USPS. Used online system. Included original UK certificate of registration, all pages of US passport color copied, photo page of countersignatory US passport color copied, two identical photos one signed by countersignatory, and form.
October 5, 2016 - Original documents returned via DHL courier with note that they have been noted and the passport is being processed.

[wadiki2]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.
September 19, 2016 - Mailed UK passport application via USPS. Used online system. Included original UK certificate of registration, all pages of US passport color copied, photo page of countersignatory US passport color copied, two identical photos one signed by countersignatory, and form.
October 5, 2016 - Original documents returned via DHL courier with note that they have been noted and the passport is being processed.

thanks a_powers for keeping us updated. i am a few steps behind even though i started my application long before you but i had more hiccups along the way. but i will use your timeline to base mines from.

[a_powers]

May 17, 2016 - UKM form sent via USPS First Class. Return envelope included, with no postage.
June 14, 2016 - Credit card debited for fee.
June 21, 2016 - Biometric letter advising me to set up an appointment at a Application Support Centre in the USA using an email address they provided.
June 28, 2016 - Biometrics completed.
August 15, 2016 - Approval letter with original documents returned via signed international Royal Mail. They will advise shortly when the citizenship ceremony will be scheduled.
September 8, 2016 - NY consulate called and made appointment for next week.
September 14, 2016 - Oath and pledge completed at the NYC consulate, citizenship certificate received.
September 19, 2016 - Mailed UK passport application via USPS. Used online system. Included original UK certificate of registration, all pages of US passport color copied, photo page of countersignatory US passport color copied, two identical photos one signed by countersignatory, and form.
October 5, 2016 - Original documents returned via DHL courier with note that they have been noted and the passport is being processed.
October 6, 2016 - Passport received via DHL courier! Yay!

[wadiki2]

congrats! @a_powers !!!!

[bhebijean_04]

@pinoyharry & gbarrieg

Any update regarding your passport? Me, still waiting for an an update to my citizenship application.

[PinoyHarry]

@bhebijean

Its been almost 6 months now since they receive my application but yet no update and no idea how much longer it will take. Frustrating how they set the expectation that the process will take "atleast" 16 weeks which if ever it should somehow take close to that timeframe if ever there will be some delays, but as you can see, its now 6months or 24+ weeks yet all the passport office can say is its still undergoing security checks by the overseas team, while most likely the security checks are somehow done in the citizenship application process before and the fact that all documents they have are original including the phillipine passport and the citizenship certificate. Seeing how fast the people from US, Canada and other countries took only a week or two to get their British Passport makes me feel envious, well patience and prayers are the least we can do, hoping it will not take any longer more.

Anyway I can guarantee that anytime soon you'll be finish and gladly will get your citizenship the soonest since the Manila Embassy will contact you soon as they have your certificate and will set an appointment for your oath. Congratulations anyway

@gbarry I always check for your possible post but your silence obviously show that we are on the same track still haha we'll get ours soon for sure though

[Demmie]

Hello everyone,
@pinoyHarry, I can only imagine how unhappy you are with the delay regarding your passport! I just hope it comes soon.
I just stumbled on something especially for those of us applying for British passport outside the UK and other countries(whose applications doesn't take more than 6 weeks). I realized that we might be able to apply for UK right of abode in the visa application centers of our various countries. This is faster and might just be able to save us from the long wait hassles. I would like to know your thoughts people or peradventure anybody has tried that route kindly let share your experience

[keji]

Hello everyone,
@pinoyHarry, I can only imagine how unhappy you are with the delay regarding your passport! I just hope it comes soon.
I just stumbled on something especially for those of us applying for British passport outside the UK and other countries(whose applications doesn't take more than 6 weeks). I realized that we might be able to apply for UK right of abode in the visa application centers of our various countries. This is faster and might just be able to save us from the long wait hassles. I would like to know your thoughts people or peradventure anybody has tried that route kindly let share your experience

Hello all
Hi Demmie,being awhile.
My advice is you patiently wait and get ur passport, right of abode is a waste of money and believe me nothing open doors for you in the UK as having the red passport.
Except you have to be in the UK by all means please complete your stuff in your country of residence. I know it can be annoying and frustrating ,I have been there but wait it out.its really worth it.

Thanks

[bbrit]

Im applying from the US under form UKF to register as a British Citizen

Form Sent:Sept 26
80 pound feed deducted: Oct 7
Confirmation:no

I didn't know this process was going to take so long and now I'm worried. This makes week 5 for me and still nothing.

I have booked to fly to the UK on the the 26 of Nov for my Masters graduation ceremony in December. Should I request my docs sent back or do you think I should wait it out? Any advice would be grateful!

Thanks in Advance

[Fulgrun]

I am happy to have successfully completed my UKM application! Here is my timeline, and I hope future applicants will find it useful.

Eligibility Criteria: UKM
Nationality: USA
Application sent: 10/2/2016 (Fedex International Priority USA to UKVI Liverpool)
Application delivered: 12/2/2016
Fees Debited: 18/2/2016 (via credit card)
USA Biometrics delay notification: 7/3/2016 (via email)
Biometrics scheduling letter: 27/05/2016 (via email)
Biometrics appointment confirmed: 6/6/2016
Biometrics Completed: 15/6/2016 (performed within USA)
Application approval received: 18/7/2016 (via mail with supporting documents; Correspondence dated 6/7/2016)
Date of contact from consulate to schedule ceremony: 9/9/2016 (via telephone with follow-up email)
Date of Ceremony: 3/10/2016
Passport application sent: 11/10/2016 (Fedex International Priority USA to HM Passport Office Durham)
Passport application delivered: 14/10/2016
Passport Received: 23/10/2016 (via DHL)
Passport supporting documents received: 25/10/2016 (via DHL)

Additional notes:

When I applied I sent in certified copies of (i) my mum's UK birth registry, (ii) my parent's marriage certificate (conducted in the UK; thereby documenting her name change), (iii) my long-form birth certificate, (iv) my passport and (v) a colour photo copy of my driver's license (thereby evidencing my current address and an additional example of my photograph).

Notably, I did not include my mum's expired passport or even a letter of explanation about my failure to include it (I did not have access to it, unfortunately). Your success may vary though so I would certainly include it if you have access, or, alternatively, include a complete colour photo copy of it. Were I to do it again, I would have included a letter of explanation.

Other applicants have been successful in not including a marriage certificate if your long-form birth certificate recites your mum's original birth name, but I think it appropriate to bolster the evidence with a marriage certificate if you have one.

The passport I sent was still valid but was set to expire a few months after I submitted my application (this is largely what informed my decision to send in my application despite knowing about the USA biometrics delays). In fact, applications are only considered after biometrics have been collected so, when my application was finally considered, my passport had expired. Luckily this did not prompt an additional inquiry.

The USA biometrics system should be fully operational and the delay I experienced should no longer exist for current and future applicants.

When you receive your application success letter, it will advise you to forbear from contacting anyone for a period of time. However, once you receive your application success letter the 90 day window to complete your citizenship ceremony is ticking (starting from the date of the letter, not your receipt). So, whatever timeline they report in the letter, you should be mindful of the 90-day window and reach out to the embassy or consular office if you have not heard from them within a few weeks of the approaching 90-day expiry.

For the passport you will begin the application through the online system and print our the declaration packet to then gather up the supporting documents and post it.

The supporting documents for the passport application were (i) a complete colour copy of my passport (the very same passport that had expired whilst in the custody of the HO), (ii) my original certificate of registration, (iii) a colour copy of the photo page of my countersignatory's passport, and (iv) two photographs per UK guidelines.

My passport countersignatory was one of the referees that I used for my citizenship application. The countersignatory must certify one of your passport photos and sign it, as well as counter-sign the application itself. Use black ink only, stay within the boxes with capital letters and keep the signatures within the signature boxes.

On the passport application you will list the certificate of registration. For the issuance date, I recited the date of the citizenship ceremony (which is the date that is then written on the face of the certificate by the consular officer) and I recited that it was issued by the Home Office London.

For the passport photos, refer to the guidelines. I went to a professional passport photography office that specializes in conforming to the varying guidelines of different countries. Take the guidelines with you and give them to your photographer to ensure they are meeting the guidelines and double check their work (bring a ruler!). Specifically, look for the proper photo dimensions, and the proper dimensions of your head. Be sure that your upper shoulders are included in the photo.

The first place I went to attached to major university with stellar reviews did an abysmal job and I had to get a second set made. Specifically, they had visible shadows under my ears on the photos which they were unable to resolve (and this is after I had them re-do the photos for failing to include my shoulders). The photos they made were also not cut to square, and so had the ragged appearance that they were cut from a larger photograph (which is not permitted). The 2nd place I went to was brilliant and provided excellent photos without my tutelage, with nice rounded corners.

You can monitor the status of your passport application online through the portal. When my was apparently approved, the status changed to "Please contact us" so don't be bothered when you see that. Upon information and belief, normal applicants from within the UK will see notification that it has been dispatched but overseas applicants do not receive this notification.

I hope that this is helpful to future applicants and I thank those that came before me on this forum for their assistance and support. Once you embark on this journey it can become an obsession, so I am grateful to to have had this forum to find information and to just commiserate with others. I will continue to check from time to time and try and be of assistance. Best of luck to everyone!

[wadiki2]

congrats @Fulgrun may i ask what state in the u.s are you located?

[a_powers]

Congrats Fulgrun. Celebration time!

[Fulgrun]

@Wadiki2 - My citizenship ceremony was in Houston.

@a_powers - Thanks!

[wadiki2]

did your passport say European union at the top or was that missing?

[Fulgrun]

The UK is still a member of the EU so, yes, it does happen to recite as such on the passport.

[PCB46]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has applied from the UK and can give me an idea of their processing times? I'm hoping to get my form in today. Applying from the UK but my Tier 5 visa is up in early April. Bit worried about getting to the end of my visa and being both citizenship-less and kiwi passport-less so I'm able to neither stay nor leave.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!!

[PinoyHarry]

First British Passport Update:
Country: Philippines
Application Timeframe: atleast 16 weeks
Now at : 31 weeks

April 06, 2016 - Application delivered in Liverpool.

July 07, 2016 - First email reply from HMPO stating that application is undergoing examination.

September 21, 2016 -After sending email to hmpo for update they advice us that the application is now undergoing overseas security checks and it is the final stage.

November 08, 2016 - Email received from the overseas team which is HMPO Bangkok who handle security checks for SE and NE Asia and Pacific, (Finally we are back on the track!) They are asking for additional documents like Birth Certificates of mine and my parents, Pictures of my parents when we were newborns, History and Status of my parents relationship, History of the places where we lived in the philippines, Old post letters of parents and some sort of stuff. Funny how they ask for this which logically we went in the process of getting our British Citizenship last year (Which took roughly 7months) which we will never get if our application is not credible in the first place. We had DNA test with my british father which we thought to send them a copy as well. They will proceed with the process once we replied which most likely will happen next week since my father needed to ship some documents from UK via FedEx to organize everything before replying, a possible interview in our local embassy afterwards, hoping and praying that the application will be done successfully the soonest.

@gbarry any news from you? Did you receive the email from them regards your application?

Will post future updates soon. Goodluck to all of us who are still in the process.

[Roka1404]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has applied from the UK and can give me an idea of their processing times? I'm hoping to get my form in today. Applying from the UK but my Tier 5 visa is up in early April. Bit worried about getting to the end of my visa and being both citizenship-less and kiwi passport-less so I'm able to neither stay nor leave.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!!

Hi PCB46,

My fiancee is applying from the UK, born to a British father in South Africa. We submitted the documents and forms yesterday and they arrived this morning so it's a waiting game now. A bit nervous as they now have her passport, BRP and her vault copy birth certificate from South Africa (took us 6 months to get!) as well as her dad's birth certificate and her grandparents. Just means she is limited in terms of having ID now but I'm hoping it won't take too much longer than a couple of months. She is here on an Ancestry Visa until 2021 so we have some time. I would recommend getting your forms off asap, I reckon you should be ok because you're applying form the UK, seems to be quicker judging by previous posts.

Let me know your progress.

Brad

[PCB46]

Thanks Brad.

Be very interested to hear how hers goes. So far my progress is:

- Application Sent: 11 November 2016
- Application Received (according to postal tracking): 14 November 2016
- Ceremony Fee Taken: 17 November 2016

[Roka1404]

I will definitely keep you updated, please do the same if you don't mind.

Timeline so far:
Documents sent: 16/11/16
Documents signed for @ UKVI: 17/11/16

It's encouraging to know that they have taken the fee already, if you look back on the forum, some people waited months just for the fee to be taken so maybe the process is a bit more fluid.

Will keep in touch anyway.

[PCB46]

A couple of updates this week...

- Application Sent: 11 November 2016
- Application Received (according to postal tracking): 14 November 2016
- Ceremony Fee Taken: 17 November 2016
- Email Advising Application Received and Being Considered: 18 November 2016
- Early Return of Passport Requested Online: 19 November 2016
- Letter dated 17 November received, requesting biometric enrolment: 21 November 2016
- Biometric enrolment completed at post office: 22 November