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british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:08 am
by Cynthiawills
Hi all,

Thank you to those who put out their information. I read here that some people did their ceremony without the invitation and this helped me speak with the council.

I recently did my ceremony without the lawyer's receiving the invitation letter. I was approved in September. Please could someone help with responses to the queries below


1. How long is the application for the passport taking now?
2. Is it quicker to do this online or in the post office?
3. Are they doing interviews for first time applicant and how long after the application is the interview usually?
4. Is this face to face?
5. Is the passport sent back via first class and does this require a signature - i am travelling and thinking of using my aunty's address, but not sure if this would be a problem?

thank you

Re: british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:56 am
by alterhase58
Cynthiawills wrote:
Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:08 am
Hi all,

Thank you to those who put out their information. I read here that some people did their ceremony without the invitation and this helped me speak with the council.

I recently did my ceremony without the lawyer's receiving the invitation letter. I was approved in September. Please could someone help with responses to the queries below


1. How long is the application for the passport taking now? varies - two weeks upwards.
2. Is it quicker to do this online or in the post office? not sure - online is more convenient of course - have a look at the passport timeline thread: british-citizenship/british-passport-ap ... l#p1969139.
3. Are they doing interviews for first time applicant and how long after the application is the interview usually? Identity interviews are done at random.
4. Is this face to face? I believe currently some/most are done virtually.
5. Is the passport sent back via first class and does this require a signature - i am travelling and thinking of using my aunty's address, but not sure if this would be a problem? Normally by courier - it must be the address you are using in the application

thank you

Re: british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:21 am
by Cynthiawills
thank you so much.

I applied online for my first British passport and now have queries please can someone help thanks


I am meant to travel on the 18th, would I be able to get the British passport after I leave if they don't sight my original passport. the options i think i have are:

1. Send documents with passport - might be stuck here till it is out


2. Send without passport and include photocopy of all pages of my passport- then I have to come back this way


3. Travel, then send documents with passport to passport office-will this be acceptable?



Thanks

Re: british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:56 am
by Misty1
If you are applying for your passport after going through the naturalisation process, your Visa or IDL is now no longer valid (Dont forget to cut it up & return). So if you leave the country on your old passport, you cannot re-enter the UK... Its definitely better to wait for your passport before you travel... If this is your scenario...

Re: british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:41 pm
by alterhase58
Cynthiawills wrote:
Thu Dec 10, 2020 11:21 am
thank you so much.

I applied online for my first British passport and now have queries please can someone help thanks


I am meant to travel on the 18th, would I be able to get the British passport after I leave if they don't sight my original passport. the options i think i have are:

1. Send documents with passport - might be stuck here till it is out


2. Send without passport and include photocopy of all pages of my passport- then I have to come back this way


3. Travel, then send documents with passport to passport office-will this be acceptable?



Thanks
I would call the HMPO helpline to discuss #3 - it's likely they insist on the original of your foreign passport.

Potentially you could travel out on your existing passport (if you are a non-visa national) and take with you your naturalisation certificate and show that on your return - a British citizen can't be denied entry to the UK. However, if you would normally require a visa to enter the UK you won't be allowed to board the return flight.

Maybe it's best to re-schedule your travel?

Re: british passport application & ceremony queries

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:22 pm
by Cynthiawills
thank you all. I have posted the document with the passport