UK First Time Passport Application after Naturalisation

I just called the Passport service and was advised that unless there was an urgent requirement my partner could not apply for a first UK passport after naturalisation as all the offices were closed for interviews.

She became a naturalised UK citizen just over 3 years ago. But we had no need for a UK passport. Her US passport is running out so we thought we may as well get the UK passport now.

So just to confirm you cannot currently apply for a first Adult passport after naturalisation via the post office or online.

The web page here:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport

Says:

It is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus.

Do not apply unless you need a passport urgently for compassionate reasons, for example if a family member has died, or for government business.

It seems they don't want new applications.

Her US passport is running out

As a British citizen, she can live in the UK without a valid passport. She can use her driving license as ID until things go back to normal again.

It seems most of them are working from home at the moment. They have been asked to come in (to the offices), but there is some resistance to that. So I would not be surprised if they have focused on reducing non-essential applications.

BBC News: Coronavirus: Passport Office staff told to go back to work (9th April 2020)

Zerubbabel wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 13, 2020 3:37 pm

The web page here:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport

Says:

It is taking longer than usual to process applications because of coronavirus.

Do not apply unless you need a passport urgently for compassionate reasons, for example if a family member has died, or for government business.

It seems they don't want new applications.

Her US passport is running out

As a British citizen, she can live in the UK without a valid passport. She can use her driving license as ID until things go back to normal again.

But don't you need a UK Passport to confirm your right to work? My wife isn't expecting to work anytime soon but everytime I have applied for a job I have been asked for my passport.

There is a variety of documents which are acceptable:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... yers-guide

But don't you need a UK Passport to confirm your right to work? My wife isn't expecting to work anytime soon but everytime I have applied for a job I have been asked for my passport.

Because they assume she is foreign. Passport is not compulsory for British citizens. There are other ways to prove right to work as stated above.

PO would not admit that they stopped "regular" passports processing altogether, but it seems they did. See for example:
https://www.civilserviceworld.com/artic ... ter-outcry
My passport application is at Liverpool PO from 11/03, and I actually might need my non-UK passport soon (not for travel)
When called/twitted to ask if I can at least get back my "overseas passports", they recommended writing to the PO where my documents are, explain the reasons I need them, and supply self-addressed return envelope.