CR001 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 2:00 pm
arjay wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 1:58 pm
As a related question, I note several of you have referred to requesting the return of supporting documents by secure delivery. Is there an alternative, i.e. allow return by standard delivery? If so, might that get the documents returned more quickly, because the PO wouldn't have to wait for the documents to be specially collected by the courier company? Just a thought.
Secure deliver is royal mail special delivery envelope. Not a courier.
I've spoken to HMPO numerous times now and researched this a lot the standard delivery is via Royal Mail second class and that is how the supporting documents are returned unless you pay an additional 5 pounds for a secure delivery in which case the documents are delivered via HMPO appointed courier who at the moment are TNT (they handle the delivery of passports and supporting documents).
From TNT website:
'Please visit here to track your delivery for:
Passport and supporting documents - you will need your PAN or Consignment number (this can be found on your SMS/email notification or ‘Sorry We Missed You’ card) and postcode of the address on your application.'
From:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... clean_.pdf
Methods of posting/delivery for UK Mail
Second Class Mail is used for posting out official letters in the UK unless there is an urgent business need to use first class mail, for example, replies to customer complaints. Supporting documents are returned to the applicant by Royal Mail 2nd class post, unless the applicant requests their return by Secure Delivery, in which case the appropriate Secure Delivery fee is payable before a decision is made.
Royal Mail 1st class post should not be used to return supporting documents.
A printed address label should always be used when returning supporting documents by Royal Mail 2nd class post. The address should never be hand written.
If the passport is being printed locally, the passport and supporting documents will be returned separately. The passport must be returned by Secure Delivery free of charge as this is included in the UK passport fee, and the supporting documents returned by second class post, unless the customer has requested and paid for secure delivery. Valid UK passports or Home Office Travel Documents included as part of the applicants supporting documentation must be returned via Secure Delivery at our cost if the applicant has not already paid for this option, however foreign national passports forwarded, as supporting documents, will be despatched using Royal Mails 2nd Class Postal Service, unless the applicant has paid the fee for Secure Delivery.
Recorded Signed For Delivery (previously known as Recorded Delivery) has previously been used in cases where it is considered necessary to know that a packet has reached its destination. However, since the introduction of Secure Delivery there is no longer a need for examination staff to use this service. Please see Royal Mail Special Delivery below.
Royal Mail Special Delivery by 9.00am was introduced in 2003. The service is not available to all areas of the UK, and the areas not covered are the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (except the areas around Aberdeen and Inverness). Post rooms will have Special Delivery pads from Royal Mail for use with this service. This service should only be used for very exceptional reasons only where Secure Delivery will not be sufficient; i.e. if there is a requirement for the customer to receive the item before 9.00am. The reason for using Special Delivery should be case noted and authorisation must be obtained from an HEO.
