Petemate wrote: ↑Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:50 pm
Hi all. This is my experience and I think it is the best way to get this document in your passport.
Apply as normal, pay the fee and send away all your necessary documents.
After your documents have been received, you can request your passport and any other documents be returned.
This can take up to 10 working days.
You can do this without cancelling your application.
Simply visit the return my documents section on their website.
It is very important when doing this to select the British nationality option when selecting your application category.
You will be asked if you want to keep your application or cancel it.
Of course you'll keep it.
In a few days you'll get your passport back with a letter explaining that your application is still being processed and when they are ready to complete your application, they'll send another letter asking for your passport.
You need to be able to send them your passport within 10 working days if I remember correctly or they automatically assume you no longer want to apply.
Yes, it's an archaic, slow, paper based application with plenty of scope for problems but if you need your passport with you, just do it this way.
Good luck!
I have been residing/travelling in and out of the UK with an old ROA in a cancelled passport, and my current passport and have never had a problem for over 10 years. This is perfectly adequate for travel in and out of the UK and satisfies most places of employment.
However, I recently got a job with a bank and they insisted it was in my current passport. I applied online and paid the £370 on November 22 sending both passports special delivery , expecting it to take a month or two.
I called the Home Office (yes you can finally get someone if you listen to all the options) and was never told about this option and that they could not comment on individual cases - and that it could take between 3 and 11 months. I was never informed about the option of getting my documents back by the agent, and had travel booked prior to sending my passports off.
I just went through the process described by Pete, and am hoping to get the passports returned in time for my travel - I chose the British Nationality option and to keep my application open.
Lets see what happens - and that there is method to the madness......
watch this space
Many thanks Petemate
