British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[furbs]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send at London Bridge
Date of application: 17/02/15
Date application received by IPS: 19/02/2015
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 24/02/2015 dated 23/02/2015
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/03/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 4/3/2015 printed on 2/3/2015

[BeenThruItAll]

If you are naturalised, I thought I read somewhere that HO also wants to see the passport I first entered UK with? But when reading the guide and form, it only says they want the uncancelled passport which is just my current passport that doesn't have my 1st UK entry stamp?

A cancelled and an expired passport aren't the same. An expired passport is considered as uncancelled passport.
Read the guideline booklet.

Uncancelled passports
In part B, enter details of all uncancelled
passports that you are sending us.
A cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner
of the cover cut off. An uncancelled passport
has not been cancelled by its issuing authority
(British or another country). This may include:
• an expired passport (in other words one that
has run out, see below)
• passports you are or were included on
(for example, as a child), and
• passports issued to you by other countries

I did reread it a few times already and its not getting any clearer. From my understanding, when one person renews a passport, their previous expired passports would have their corners cut off. That's is why all my expired passports are deemed cancelled already. And so I only have one current passport right now that is uncancelled.
Is that not correct?

[akhurshid]

I did reread it a few times already and its not getting any clearer. From my understanding, when one person renews a passport, their previous expired passports would have their corners cut off. That's is why all my expired passports are deemed cancelled already. And so I only have one current passport right now that is uncancelled.
Is that not correct?

No. A passport is cancelled when issuing authority doesn't want you to use that passport for any reason(like a court order banning you from travelling). Passport will have a the corner cut or cancelled stamped on the passport.

When a passport expires, it's not the same as cancelled. Yes you can't use it to travel but it's not classed as cancelled. Usually on the old passport, issuing authority will stamp to confirm that you have been issued a new passport.

[BeenThruItAll]

I did reread it a few times already and its not getting any clearer. From my understanding, when one person renews a passport, their previous expired passports would have their corners cut off. That's is why all my expired passports are deemed cancelled already. And so I only have one current passport right now that is uncancelled.
Is that not correct?

No. A passport is cancelled when issuing authority doesn't want you to use that passport for any reason(like a court order banning you from travelling). Passport will have a the corner cut or cancelled stamped on the passport.

When a passport expires, it's not the same as cancelled. Yes you can't use it to travel but it's not classed as cancelled. Usually on the old passport, issuing authority will stamp to confirm that you have been issued a new passport.

A cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner
of the cover cut off.

hmmm all my expired passports have the top right hand corner cut off. So by that definition in the guidebook, all my expired passports are considered cancelled. They really should reword their guidebook definition. I'll send them all my passports to be safe.

[akhurshid]

I did reread it a few times already and its not getting any clearer. From my understanding, when one person renews a passport, their previous expired passports would have their corners cut off. That's is why all my expired passports are deemed cancelled already. And so I only have one current passport right now that is uncancelled.
Is that not correct?

No. A passport is cancelled when issuing authority doesn't want you to use that passport for any reason(like a court order banning you from travelling). Passport will have a the corner cut or cancelled stamped on the passport.

When a passport expires, it's not the same as cancelled. Yes you can't use it to travel but it's not classed as cancelled. Usually on the old passport, issuing authority will stamp to confirm that you have been issued a new passport.

A cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner
of the cover cut off.

hmmm all my expired passports have the top right hand corner cut off. So by that definition in the guidebook, all my expired passports are considered cancelled. They really should reword their guidebook definition. I'll send them all my passports to be safe.

If that is the case, your country's authority is cancelling all the expired passport so you don't need to send those with application.
My country's authority doesn't cancel expired passport so I take it varies from country to country.

[rp24]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 19 Feb 2015
Date application received by IPS: Don't know (May be on 20 Feb 2015)
Date of return of documents: 28 Feb 2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: 26 Feb 2015
Date of Passport Appointment: 2 March 2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 4 March 2015

[BeenThruItAll]

I've read through many pages of comments but I'll like to get an idea as what what is now considered the best way to apply for a British passport in 2015? Is sending direct the best way assuming you can follow the application instructions well?

1) Direct - Not many people send direct...is it because it just cost a few £ more to pay Post Office to check & send?
2) Check & send - People complain that the PO staff don't know the rules that well
3) Online - there seems to be a problem with missing info in their online application form and applications need to be refilled

[[iD]]

I've read through many pages of comments but I'll like to get an idea as what what is now considered the best way to apply for a British passport in 2015? Is sending direct the best way assuming you can follow the application instructions well?

1) Direct - Not many people send direct...is it because it just cost a few £ more to pay Post Office to check & send?
2) Check & send - People complain that the PO staff don't know the rules that well
3) Online - there seems to be a problem with missing info in their online application form and applications need to be refilled

[jaweb]

[quote="BeenThruItAll"]I've read through many pages of comments but I'll like to get an idea as what what is now considered the best way to apply for a British passport in 2015? Is sending direct the best way assuming you can follow the application instructions well?

1) Direct - Not many people send direct...is it because it just cost a few £ more to pay Post Office to check & send?
2) Check & send - People complain that the PO staff don't know the rules that well
3) Online - there seems to be a problem with missing info in their online application form and applications need to be refilled[/quote]

I always send it directly. If they want more papers they contact you. We have sent it twice now for my children and everything was fine. Unnecessary to pay 8 pounds for post office. I sent it special delivery.

[akhurshid]

I agree with jaweb. I wouldn't pay even a penny to post office to make me send wrong documents. I rather send the wrong documents myself. I have used check and send for my daughter and they wanted me to send my birth certificate.
I had enough and then applied myself for my son, myself and wife and never had an issue.

[na2316]

Quick question...i have read posts but it is confusing...

-- I have one Current passport valid for another 2 years.

--- AND I also have 2 expired passports.

Do I need only need to send my CURRENT Passport .....with the british passport application? or SHOULD i also send the 2 expired ones?

this is urgent PLEASE CONFIRM.

[akhurshid]

Quick question...i have read posts but it is confusing...

-- I have one Current passport valid for another 2 years.

--- AND I also have 2 expired passports.

Do I need only need to send my CURRENT Passport .....with the british passport application? or SHOULD i also send the 2 expired ones?

this is urgent PLEASE CONFIRM.

You should send all uncancelled passports.

[na2316]

thanks...

by that you mean ...current passport and all expired passports? correct?

[abBY20]

Can anyone please advice me on how first adult passport is delivered I know Dx secured mail sends a letter for you to call to arrange a prefered delivery date but seeing on the thread that most people get their passport 2days after interview
My passport interview was 2days ago and haven't seen any sign yet
Thanks once again for your help guys

[akhurshid]

thanks...

by that you mean ...current passport and all expired passports? correct?

Yes unless your expired passport have been cancelled.
A cancelled passport will have it's corner cut off or cancelled stamped on.
I have recently found out that some authorities cancel the expired passports.

[akhurshid]

Can anyone please advice me on how first adult passport is delivered I know Dx secured mail sends a letter for you to call to arrange a prefered delivery date but seeing on the thread that most people get their passport 2days after interview
My passport interview was 2days ago and haven't seen any sign yet
Thanks once again for your help guys

DX doesn't send letter to arrange delivery. They'll first try delivering the passport.
Passport can take up to couple of weeks to arrive after interview.
You can however call DX and give them your post code and address. They'll tell you if they have anything for you.

[abBY20]

Can anyone please advice me on how first adult passport is delivered I know Dx secured mail sends a letter for you to call to arrange a prefered delivery date but seeing on the thread that most people get their passport 2days after interview
My passport interview was 2days ago and haven't seen any sign yet
Thanks once again for your help guys

DX doesn't send letter to arrange delivery. They'll first try delivering the passport.
Passport can take up to couple of weeks to arrive after interview.
You can however call DX and give them your post code and address. They'll tell you if they have anything for you.

[abBY20]

Thanks for the info @ Akhursid
I will call DX next week

[GB48]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New First Passport
Method of application: Check & Send (and then Postal)
Date of application: 25/11/2014 (21/02/2015 Recorded delivery)
Date application received by IPS: 26/11/2014 (24/02/15)
Date of return of documents: 03/04/2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: 27/02/2015
Date of Passport Appointment: 04/03/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 06/03/2015


Other Updates:

7 weeks after initial application - told there was a problem with application, sent in forms requested

10 weeks after initial application - told specific problem was with name

12 weeks after application had to send in second form after rectifying it

14 weeks after application had interview in nearest office with soonest appointment (77 mile round trip) had a 10 minute-ish appointment and told i'd hear back within 4-10 days fingers crossed

Today (6/3/15) : Passport delivered \ / i proved i am actually boring old me

[hoederer]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New First time adult
Method of application: Online (don't use online! )
Date of application: Feb 3 2015
Date application received by IPS: Feb 5 2015
Date of receiving the stupid letter saying you have to redo in paper format : Feb 12 2015
Date of second application received: Feb 16 2015
Date of getting back documents: Feb 18 2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: Feb 18 2015
Date of Passport Appointment: Feb 23 is the earliest but I couldn't make it that day so I picked Feb 28 instead
Date of Passport Receipt: March 3 2015

Not bad at the end considering I lost a bit of time because of the online thing and also I couldn't pick the earliest date for interview.

[jaweb]

[quote="jaweb"]Hi guys,

Yesterday I had my ceremony and I ran to the post office with the passport application form. So here is my timeline

Application Type: First time adult (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: special delivery (not check and send)
Date of application: 26/02/2015
Royal mail delivery confirmation:27/02/2015
SMS confirming receipt by IPS: N/A
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: waiting
Date of Passport printing sms receipt: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting[/quote]


I just got a letter saying the photos what I sent were not good enough. So they ask new photos

[mamamia007]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First adult passport (naturalisation)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 26/02/2015
Date application received by IPS: ?
Date of return of documents: 05/03/2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: 06/03/2015 have to book myself
Date of Passport Appointment: booked for 07/03/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

[jony_dhaka]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First adult passport (naturalisation)
Method of application: Check & Send or Postal
Date of application: 26/02/2015
Date application received by IPS: Not received
Date of return of documents: 06/03/2015
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[ILR13]

Our Passport application timeline is:

Application Type: First passport for two adults and a child (naturalisation)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 19/02/2015
Date application received :20/02/2015
Date of return of documents: 27/02/2015 9 (for child 26/02/2015)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 27/02/2015
Date of Passport Appointment: 4/03/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 6/03/2015 (for child 27/02/2015)

many thanks to all the members for helping us throughout this naturalisation process. Our heart and prayers goes for all those who are still waiting. Don't give up and have faith.

[akhurshid]

I just got a letter saying the photos what I sent were not good enough. So they ask new photos

Did you take them in booth? Usually booth ones aren't accepted.
We once applied for French visa and they refused the photos taken in booth.