ESC
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It was raised here that Royal Mail is slow and unreliable (see eg ireland/lost-documents-by-royal-mail-t335903.html); I'd suggest to use other carries where possible.JackESC wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 12:59 pmHi all!
I am going to soon be posting my Dad’s passport application (it will be his first Irish passport and we are applying from the UK). Are we able to send this tracked by Royal Mail now or is it recommended to send another way?
Apologies – I appreciate this isn’t exactly a FBR question (still waiting for my own confirmation lol) but I guess it applies to that too. I know there were lots of issues with Royal Mail recently, so any advice/help is much appreciated as we want to make sure it gets there with no issues…. thanks in advance!!
Just adding - there was a tracking reference included in this emailwtftodo wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 3:05 pmHi all, new to this board. Applying for FBR for two children.
13th June 22 - applications submitted
27th June 22 - documents received (in one envelope)
14th March 23 - address check email received and replied to
16th March 23 - ??
Have received a reply saying "I have now approved both applications and moved them on to the next stage (Final review and entry onto the Register). Once they pass that stage they are queued for certificate printing..." then useful info re delays etc.
So not a congratulations email (yet).. What does final review mean? I can't tell if we're basically there now, or just being approved to go through to the approval stage!
Has anyone else had this sort of wording before? Thanks..
I'm with you on this, the wait is really hard -- I wish they were able to give us more updates. Sometimes you feel like your application has been forgotten about.FBRLurker02 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 11:57 pmMy docs received was 2nd June 2022 and I also haven't had address confirmation so at least you're not alone. The silence has been driving me crazy because I wasn't able to provide my grandfather's ID, so especially seeing later applications get address confirmation is hard. Hopefully not too much longer!Will2022 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 10:44 amI’m hoping this is true. I’m 9th June 2022 documents received yet still haven’t had address confirmationmisscat2 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:33 amI noticed this as well and I do wonder if some of the different staff work differently with some letting people know straight away while others wait until the certificate is printed.Rxp2023 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 14, 2023 2:58 pmSome people seem to get a quick confirmation after address check (myself included) but then have a long wait for the certificate to be posted, and some others have a long wait for the confirmation with the certificate arriving shortly thereafter (hopefully this is the case for you). Not sure if it always works out like this but it seems to be a bit of a trend when looking at the data sheet.
I recently wrote about my experience with the Royal Mail, see pages 258 and 259. Essentially, I packaged up my passport documents in a C4 envelope (classed as a large letter) and sent it as international tracked. I included a customs declaration and stated the contents were documents. It took a week to arrive in Dublin after posting at a Dorset post office.JackESC wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 12:59 pmHi all!
I am going to soon be posting my Dad’s passport application (it will be his first Irish passport and we are applying from the UK). Are we able to send this tracked by Royal Mail now or is it recommended to send another way?
Apologies – I appreciate this isn’t exactly a FBR question (still waiting for my own confirmation lol) but I guess it applies to that too. I know there were lots of issues with Royal Mail recently, so any advice/help is much appreciated as we want to make sure it gets there with no issues…. thanks in advance!!
Hey, ribhinne. You'll see my post above regarding my travails with USPS. I was not asked to pay a fee. I agree, it'd be odd for documents like this as there is "no value" for such documents (even if they're personally priceless). At least that's my understanding. USPS only had me fill the left hand side (sender/addressee) of the USPS Customs Declaration and Dispatch Notice. They did nothing on the other side, other than my signature. I'm wonder if my package is hung up somewhere due to customs issues. It does say that the shipment is "passport documents."rìbhinne wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:35 pmI sent my documents today and I'm a bit concerned. UPS wouldn't ship because the address is a PO Box. I had to use USPS and they said there's a new policy and there would be a $21 customs fee on delivery. I purchased a cashier's cheque and put it in the envelope stating it was for the customs fee but I'm concerned the package will be turned away without opening it to see the cashier's cheque. I had to declare a value so I only declared $1. Has anyone else encountered this? I've never heard of a customs fee for documents.
I just saw your post - we must've both been at it at the same time! It could be a customs issue with your documents. I haven't a clue how to track that with An Post either. Unfortunately, we can't just pay the customs fee at the post because it's an Irish tax not US. If I had known ahead I would have sent them to a friend in Dublin and had them send them via An Post. I just hope if they are turned away because of the fee they'll come back to me so I don't have replace them all. This is one time I hope Customs DOES open the envelope and find the cashier's cheque I tossed in!brianborutoo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:51 pmHey, ribhinne. You'll see my post above regarding my travails with USPS. I was not asked to pay a fee. I agree, it'd be odd for documents like this as there is "no value" for such documents (even if they're personally priceless). At least that's my understanding. USPS only had me fill the left hand side (sender/addressee) of the USPS Customs Declaration and Dispatch Notice. They did nothing on the other side, other than my signature. I'm wonder if my package is hung up somewhere due to customs issues. It does say that the shipment is "passport documents."
Someone here reported a few months ago that new employees have to get their work checked by senior employees. I suspect that could be what's going on here.wtftodo wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 3:05 pmHi all, new to this board. Applying for FBR for two children.
13th June 22 - applications submitted
27th June 22 - documents received (in one envelope)
14th March 23 - address check email received and replied to
16th March 23 - ??
Have received a reply saying "I have now approved both applications and moved them on to the next stage (Final review and entry onto the Register). Once they pass that stage they are queued for certificate printing..." then useful info re delays etc.
So not a congratulations email (yet).. What does final review mean? I can't tell if we're basically there now, or just being approved to go through to the approval stage!
Has anyone else had this sort of wording before? Thanks..
brianborutoo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:35 pmHappy St. Patrick's Day!
I am calling on the collective wisdom of the board. This question is both FBR and Passport Services related. After receiving my FBR certificate in mid-January this year, I immediately (as in the next day) sent all the required documents in addition to the certificate that I'd only just received along with my long-form birth certificate by USPS (United States) Priority Mail International. I did NOT send my US Passport, but rather (as others have done) send a notarized copy of the information page.
The USPS tracking shows that my package left the United States via Cincinnati (after going through Chicago distribution) in "International Transit" on 29 January 2023. There have been no updates since. Presumably, the package made it to somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic, but I don't know where it might have gone. I'm guessing that it would NOT have gone direct to Dublin (for one thing, there are no direct flights out of Cincinnati to Dublin and US Mail--to my knowledge--is carried on commercial flights).
Here are some questions/comments:
1. Has anyone else had their passport documents from the United States go missing for such a period of time and then turn up? I'm working with USPS to locate it, but I'm not hopeful as it's essentially out of their hands now. I have checked AnPost as well with my USPS tracking number and they're not showing it. Also, Passport Services do not show having the documents.
2. Does anyone know WHERE a package would be routed from the US (Cincinnati departure, in particular) before reaching Dublin?
2. Has anyone had to request a REPLACEMENT FBR certificate for a situation like this (or otherwise)? If the package has gone missing (and does not turn up), as far as I can figure, I'd need to apply for a replacement through FBR office. This is not as onerous as applying to be added to the FBR. Presumably, it wouldn't take too long, but I know that printing of certificates has been backed up, so it could still take a while.
3. Has anyone used a carrier other than USPS (from the United States) to get a package to the Passport Services? They have a PO BOX, which should mean that FedEx, UPS, or DHL could NOT deliver to them. With my FBR documents (the first attempt) I used USPS and the LOST them. Ultimately they turned up back at my local post office and I collected them and said "never again" (yeesh) and sent them by FedEx to someone in Ireland who then mailed them in country to FBR office. NOTE: I am unable to do that again.
4. How worried should I be that my documents are in the hands of some evil actor who may try to make use of them somehow?
My plan is as follows: (1) Within a week, if USPS is unsuccessful, reach out to FBR folks via urgent inquiries (if that's still the only way to get someone) and tell them what's going on; (2) Presumably be told that I need to apply for a replacement FBR certificate; (3) Send required documents--hopefully by some other means than USPS--to FBR office; (4) Wait for the replacement to be sent--again--to my home here in the United States; (5) Turn around and--again--send the FBR certificate back to Ireland for Passport Services along with another official copy of my birth certificate and other documents, including another notarized COPY of my information page from my passport--thank god I didn't send the original last time.
Thanks for any thoughts, shared experience ...
FYI, my rough timeline for the record:
Online application: mid-June 2020
Documents received: early Aguust 2020
Receipt confirmation: None
Address confirm: mid-Nov 2022
Congratulations: early Jan 2023
Added to FBR: mid-Dec 2022
Certificate Received: mid-Jan 2023
Hey, Ssgogo. That's not good news for anyone who is looking for a replacement FBR certificate. I can understand that they'd prioritize first time applicants--especially given the backlog that they'd had for a few years. It appears they're through that, essentially, so I would think they could turn their attention to the replacement requests now. Presumably (in theory) these are going to be addressed "in date order" of receipt--though we've seen with first time applications that there can be tremendous variability in how different applicants proceed (even with the apparently same application conditions). At any rate, unless my passport documents turn up, I don't see that I have any choice. I will be in Ireland this summer, but I believe that they do NOT deal with people in person. Though, if I'm a citizen, I don't see why I couldn't get the same passport services that a resident citizen would if I'm physically present in country. I've not looked into what in-person services they have. I'm guessing I'm probably sufficiently different as a category of citizen (non-resident at least) that I'd not qualify for any such service.Ssgogo16 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:48 pmI requested a replacement FBR back in September of last year for my fathers. We have been waiting since so I called on 02/17 and was informed they aren’t even processing replacement requests. The employee said they’d hope to resume before the end of the year. Additionally, many on this forum never received their replacement requests from even years back. I hope to get the replacement someday so I can send in my own FBR application but man it could be a while. Good luck!
Hey, ribbinne. Thanks for your reply. We may be in the same (or similar) boat. If so, I'd think there'd be many, many more here (more than it appears) with the same issues. If customs (and payment, specifically) is an issue. I'd like to find out WHERE in the chain this might be happening as a means to FIND my package. I mean, is it now in Ireland but in a pile of packages that they don't know what to do with or are waiting for someone to do something with? Or, is it being held at some intermediary point like London? Like I said in my original post, I don't think (at least through the departure airport here in the US, that there are direct commercial (with USPS mail on board per contract) flights from Cincinnati to Dublin. So, it'd have to go somewhere else first, like London.rìbhinne wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:29 pmI just saw your post - we must've both been at it at the same time! It could be a customs issue with your documents. I haven't a clue how to track that with An Post either. Unfortunately, we can't just pay the customs fee at the post because it's an Irish tax not US. If I had known ahead I would have sent them to a friend in Dublin and had them send them via An Post. I just hope if they are turned away because of the fee they'll come back to me so I don't have replace them all. This is one time I hope Customs DOES open the envelope and find the cashier's cheque I tossed in!brianborutoo wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:51 pmHey, ribhinne. You'll see my post above regarding my travails with USPS. I was not asked to pay a fee. I agree, it'd be odd for documents like this as there is "no value" for such documents (even if they're personally priceless). At least that's my understanding. USPS only had me fill the left hand side (sender/addressee) of the USPS Customs Declaration and Dispatch Notice. They did nothing on the other side, other than my signature. I'm wonder if my package is hung up somewhere due to customs issues. It does say that the shipment is "passport documents."
What in-person service would you mean?brianborutoo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:46 pmHey, Ssgogo. That's not good news for anyone who is looking for a replacement FBR certificate. I can understand that they'd prioritize first time applicants--especially given the backlog that they'd had for a few years. It appears they're through that, essentially, so I would think they could turn their attention to the replacement requests now. Presumably (in theory) these are going to be addressed "in date order" of receipt--though we've seen with first time applications that there can be tremendous variability in how different applicants proceed (even with the apparently same application conditions). At any rate, unless my passport documents turn up, I don't see that I have any choice. I will be in Ireland this summer, but I believe that they do NOT deal with people in person. Though, if I'm a citizen, I don't see why I couldn't get the same passport services that a resident citizen would if I'm physically present in country. I've not looked into what in-person services they have. I'm guessing I'm probably sufficiently different as a category of citizen (non-resident at least) that I'd not qualify for any such service.Ssgogo16 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:48 pmI requested a replacement FBR back in September of last year for my fathers. We have been waiting since so I called on 02/17 and was informed they aren’t even processing replacement requests. The employee said they’d hope to resume before the end of the year. Additionally, many on this forum never received their replacement requests from even years back. I hope to get the replacement someday so I can send in my own FBR application but man it could be a while. Good luck!
Living Abroad excluding Great Britain
You must submit your postal application to your Embassy or Consulate in the country you live in. For example, if you live in the USA and are on holidays in Ireland, it is not possible to use a passport postal service.
Hi, meself2. I was only speculating on the possibility. I'd not fully investigated whether it would be possible for anyone (myself included) to do an in-person new passport application. Thanks for the clarification.meself2 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:54 pmWhat in-person service would you mean?
Even as Irish resident, I would only be able to apply for passport either online (and still sending supporting documents by post, but within Ireland) or filling out a form, which won't work in your case;
https://www.dfa.ie/passports/post-passport/
They do have urgent passport service in selected offices, but it's only for renewals, not for first time applicants.
No worries, I'm just outlining the options. Maybe next time you can apply via paper form in consulate? I'm not sure if that will entail giving documents to them or sending to Dublin, but you can probably check with your local embassy.brianborutoo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:40 pmHi, meself2. I was only speculating on the possibility. I'd not fully investigated whether it would be possible for anyone (myself included) to do an in-person new passport application. Thanks for the clarification.meself2 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:54 pmWhat in-person service would you mean?
Even as Irish resident, I would only be able to apply for passport either online (and still sending supporting documents by post, but within Ireland) or filling out a form, which won't work in your case;
https://www.dfa.ie/passports/post-passport/
They do have urgent passport service in selected offices, but it's only for renewals, not for first time applicants.
I asked around and I believe my post clerk entered the information wrong. I can only keep an eye my email now for confirmation and hope it all works out.brianborutoo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:50 pmHey, ribbinne. Thanks for your reply. We may be in the same (or similar) boat. If so, I'd think there'd be many, many more here (more than it appears) with the same issues. If customs (and payment, specifically) is an issue. I'd like to find out WHERE in the chain this might be happening as a means to FIND my package. I mean, is it now in Ireland but in a pile of packages that they don't know what to do with or are waiting for someone to do something with? Or, is it being held at some intermediary point like London? Like I said in my original post, I don't think (at least through the departure airport here in the US, that there are direct commercial (with USPS mail on board per contract) flights from Cincinnati to Dublin. So, it'd have to go somewhere else first, like London.
