Expired passport and Naturalisation application

[bbdivo]

Hi all, I have a funny situation arise. I orginally came here on a WP, in 2001, and got my ILTR last year after 4 years on the WP. I am now waiting out the 12 months in order to apply for my naturalisation. However in the meantime my passport has expired (mid December 2005) I have therefore applied to my home country for a new passport, however a week into the processing I have just been informed that our government is no longer issusing passports as there is no ink or passport booklets! Additionally its looking like they wont be issuing passports for some time to come, and there are going to be major delays issuing them anyway.

Now I know its possible to apply fot naturalisation without a passport but will they accept an expried passport?

Additionally once naturalised, you need your home country's passport to apply for your first british passport, again will they accept an expired passport?

PS:- I become elligible to apply for naturalisation at the end of June, so about 5 months time.

[bbdivo]

Well just a quick update on the passport application part, I have just noticed that if you apply through the post office, you dont have to provide the original passport you entered the country on, however they want to see your birth certificate in all passport application cases.

[John]

Now I know its possible to apply fot naturalisation without a passport but will they accept an expried passport?

I think ... yes .... just use some of the "white space" on the form to explain the situation.

When you apply for a British Passport, against just supply the expired passport. The pic in that passport is part of their checks ... to see that the passport pic you supply with the application could be the person in the other passport. Even an expired passport helps with that.

[bbdivo]

Thanks for the response John, I may make some enquiries/phone calls with the Home Office, I'll post what I find out.

[ppron747]

I really don't think it's necessary to make further enquiries - I'd be inclined to just go ahead...

[bbdivo]

Yes I agree! Been reading the application forms AN(NEW) and looking at the guidance on the IND website and I agree I should be okay to just apply. The only thing I can think of is for the last six months they may question whether I have been out of the country, and the only thing to do is get letter from employer, take latest P60 and bank statements covering the period. That should give them sufficient evidence that I have not been out the country during the last 6 months of my 5yr period.

Edit:-
Just did a quick search of the forum and I think the last post in this message answers my question:-
http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=5765

[Kayalami]

bbdivo,

Appreciate you may have got some answers on this so apologies for any repetition but thought I'd chip in somewhat.

Now I know its possible to apply fot naturalisation without a passport but will they accept an expried passport?

IMHO expired pppt may be used to cover relevant part of residence. Thereafter i.e. post ppt renewal submission use appropriate documentation as per Guide AN - P60's, employer letter etc. I would also include any correspondence on the 'delay in ppt issuance/ no ink etc' matter if such is applicable/was issued by the consular sections of your country's diplomatic post in the UK.

Additionally once naturalised, you need your home country's passport to apply for your first british passport, again will they accept an expired passport?

UK ppt application requires you to:

1. Confirm whether you have ever held a passport - British or otherwise.

2. Submit all uncancelled passports held - by international convention this is likely to be one unless you hold more than one nationality. Note that the UK Passport Service classes uncancelled ppt as either 'one that is current and in use' or 'one which has passed its expiry date and has not been replaced'.

3. Submit ppt used to first enter the UK.

There is a section to describe any applicable losses. To prevent processing delays I would submit a police reference number and statutory declaration to this effect.

Well just a quick update on the passport application part, I have just noticed that if you apply through the post office, you dont have to provide the original passport you entered the country on, however they want to see your birth certificate in all passport application cases.

As per above section this is incorrect. The post office merely check your details on the application form to ensure there are no obvious errors e.g. signing outside the given border frame. Your passports must still be sent on to the UKPS as they verify your identity as the naturalised applicant. Yet another aspect of UK immigration/ nationality law crying for reform...nationality applications really should require the applicants photograph - this is the protocol worldwide e.g the US, Canada etc not to mention fingerprinting as part of good character requirements.

[JAJ]

UK ppt application requires you to:

1. Confirm whether you have ever held a passport - British or otherwise.

2. Submit all uncancelled passports held - by international convention this is likely to be one unless you hold more than one nationality. Note that the UK Passport Service classes uncancelled ppt as either 'one that is current and in use' or 'one which has passed its expiry date and has not been replaced'.

3. Submit ppt used to first enter the UK.

Point 2: They do ask this, however they will return any foreign passports. They will not try to confiscate or cancel it. This question makes people think the UKPS has a problem with people holding two passports, when it hasn't. And I would think that if you say you are keeping your existing passport for travel purposes, they won't insist you submit it.

Point 3: Is that for real? Many people no longer *have* such passport. Can't see UKPS refusing a British passport (to a British citizen) for this reason.

[ppron747]

...Point 3: Is that for real? Many people no longer *have* such passport. Can't see UKPS refusing a British passport (to a British citizen) for this reason.

It's certainly what it says on the UKPS website, JAJ - have a look through the FAQs.
But my own view is that it's rubbish!
The fact is that the applicant's identity has already been examined and accepted on the basis of his present passport and other docs - by the fact that his naturalisation application has been granted.
What the UKPS should be looking at is whether the person before them is the person named on the naturalisation certificate - and that means they should need to see the present passport.
I was in touch with someone the other day who had been here for over 50 years, and is only now considering making a naturalisation application. If the UKPS follow their own doctrine, as set out on their website, they will want this elderly man to produce a passport issued to him as a teenager, but not his current one...
Huh?