British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[HelloitsmeAbby]

Yeah PO is probably right. Although I've never seen what he certificates look like and since BC applications are processed in Liverpool o would've put Hone office Liverpool but if home office London is on the certificate then you should put that as the councils don't issue the certificates. they just receive them from HO.

Personally if you fill in form right, pictures are passport sized and both applicant and referee signature is in the box, why would you need to pay £9.75 for check and send

[mona12]

HMPO received it on Friday. Chances are it's not even been touched until today. Call them tomorrow if you're not sure.

We won't be using check and send as we feel it's not necessary.

Everything will be fine, try not to stress!

The only thing which Post Office asked me to correct in the form was the "Place of Issue of Naturalisation Certificate". Since nothing was mentioned in the guide booklet which comes with the form, I put "Registrar, <Council Name>" in the form and Post Office said it is wrong and you must put "Home Office London" (as it was written on the certificate), not sure if that is actually considered as a place! And if it really makes a difference but the lady at post office counter said what I wrote was wrong and they can't send my form like this as they get penalised for sending incorerct forms. She said that I can send it on my own if I wish to but in that case HMPO may even ask me to re-do the form if I send it as it is. That is the only thing where I felt using "Check and Send" maybe was a good idea but not sure how right I am!

[uma103]

@chowkal

Thanks for all your advise. one last thing, do we need to add grandparent details ? I cannot find anything related to that in the guidance documents but been reading previous posts in this forum and some people were saying that grand parent details are not required for naturalized citizens.

Regards,

[HelloitsmeAbby]

HMPO received it on Friday. Chances are it's not even been touched until today. Call them tomorrow if you're not sure.

We won't be using check and send as we feel it's not necessary.

Everything will be fine, try not to stress!

[mona12]

Hi,

I sent our applications (mine and my husband's) on 19th Nov 2015 via the Check and Send service and I was told that since it is sent as "Special Delivery", the documents will be delivered the next day, i.e 20th Nov 2015.

Now when I enquired at HMPO, they have no idea about our appications at all!! Wonder where they are and how do I locate them? Really concerned as original passports are with the applications Regretting using the Post Office's so called "Check and Send" service already!!

Please advice.

Thanks

[owen19832006]

Morning all,

Just thought I'd share my experience in getting the passport. Overall 1 week (Monday 16th November sent form - Passport arrived Monday 23rd November)

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First time
Application Type: New
Method of application: Online (keep a copy as a PDF because if you do something wrong you can send them the application again, it's far quicker and make sure your pics have the grey-ish background not the cream one)
Date of application: 16th November 2015 (13:35)
Date application received by HMPO : 17th November 2015 08:32am
Location of HMPO Office involved: Peterborough
Date of return of documents: Saturday 21st November 2015 (15hrs)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Didnt get interview letter, phoned the advice line, lady confirmed could go for interview and I could book over the phone.
Date of Passport Interview Appointment: 19th November 2015 08:45 (Glasgow HMPO) was told there and then by the lady that the passport would be printed the next day (Friday) and would arrive within 2-5 working days but that they were beating their own timescales.
Date of Passport Receipt: 23rd November 2015 11hrs

Interview was very relaxed and friendly, felt like talking to a friend about general stuff. Got asked:
1.Spell your name
2.Where are you from originally
3.Name of parents
4.Who is your countersignatory
5.Where do they live, do they live near you?
6. Whats their profession
7. How long have you known them
8.Have you got any holidays booked? if so when are you leaving.
9.Do you live on a main road? wht's your address? How long have you been there?
10. What's your DoB
11. You have a mortgage? who with?
12. Do you live alone?
13. When did you first arrive in the UK and what was the purpose?
14. What was your first ever address in the UK.

That was it. The interview was done in 10 mins and then we started talking about my holiday. It was by far the most relaxing interview and the passport office staff were very friendly, and they had music on (on a side note Adele's Hello was on and I was singing and interview lady said she liked that song too and we talked about the upcoming album and whether there would be a tour)
The call centre people from Passport Advice line were extremely friendly.
My journey is finally over. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, this has been an amazing fountain of information. Best of luck to all!! Hope you get your passports very soon!

[chowkal]

@Uma103
If you fill online, it is quicker than postoffice and less paper work. You need to send only the countersign page, photogrpahs, Naturalisation certificate and current passport. you can track the status online

The referre deails cannot be filled online, and you are on track. Complete the process and make the payment, then you will get a PDF file ( Passport Application Declaration containing all details.
Don't forget to add the three pounds to receive back your current passport and Naturailsation certificate

On that PDF you will find the Conter signature fom, that need to be printed out and hand filled by countersignature person
(referree)

Good luck.

P.S : I got a SMS this morning ( passport despatched) for a appliction made on nov 16th and received on nov 17th. So I should get my passports tomorrow

[uma103]

Hi All ,

I am in process of applying my first British passport after naturalization and want advise if i apply online or by post ?
Also how do i need to provide references and countersign details in online application ? i tried filling the form till the payment details and it don't ask me anywhere for the countersign details.

Also i am assuming even if i fill online application , I still need to post my passport, naturalization certificate and photograph's ect to HMP so what is the difference between online and postal application as we also send all these documents by postal application and only additional item is the passport application form .

your advise and suggestion will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,

[akbarim]

Your private ceremony would approximately take 20 mins.

Questions for Interview.. Approx interview time 25-30 mins

@How did you make your way to the passport office today@ How long it took??

@What type of property you live in?? E.g semi detached

@ who lives in the property with you?

@Spell your full name
@your date of birth??

@ how long have you been in the UK??

@your spouse name. Your kids names??

@ do you own or rent the property you reside in??

@ address of the place of work

@ how you make your way to your childrens school. If you have any school going childrens.

@ Your previous addresses

@ how long you lived at each address.. dates??

@ Name of banks you hold accounts in??

@ education?? Work??? Family related questions.


These are few example but all the questions depends on the the person asking them so recall your life in the uk before entering the interview room ...

Good Luck

Hi
Please share what questions they ask in British passport interview .i book private cermany.how long cermany will take. Thanks

[azanpk786]

Hi
Please share what questions they ask in British passport interview .i book private cermany.how long cermany will take. Thanks

[Tire1Questions]

Hi everyone little update
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (naturalised)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 09/11/2015
Date of interview letter: not received yet
Date of interview booked:12/11/2015
Date of interview:18/11/2015
Date of SMS received: 19/11/2015 (
Date of return of documents: 16/11/2015
Date of passport receipt:Arrived today 22/11/2015. I was surprised that they delivered it on SUNDAY..!!!

[HelloitsmeAbby]

Hi all, from what I read and understood in this topic, it seems you just need to use the reference number on the form to call them and book an interview even before receiving the invitation. However if you use the online form, is there a reference number you can use? Or do you just have to wait for the invitation in this case?

It's true but imyou need to have the letter with you when you go for the appointment so if you're gonna chance it and do it that way, at least give it a few days giving poster the chance to deliver it

[padhme]

Hi all, from what I read and understood in this topic, it seems you just need to use the reference number on the form to call them and book an interview even before receiving the invitation. However if you use the online form, is there a reference number you can use? Or do you just have to wait for the invitation in this case?

[HelloitsmeAbby]

Thankyou RayClarke.

[rayclark]

Yes absolutely!

I paid by credit card. The guidance notes that come with the form have a card payment page which you simply cut out, fill in and enclose with your application. I sent my application by special delivery. I didn't bother with secure return of docs but if you want you can enclose a prepaid envelope such as special delivery.

I did this 4 difference times, for each of my family members and had no problem. I never used check and send.

Hi All,

You know if you choose to NOT use check and send, how do you make payment to HMPO... postal order or can you pay by card? and the extra £3 to pay for secure return of documents, how is that paid?

So I can use MY debit/credit card to pay for my husbands application?

[HelloitsmeAbby]

@Averagejodle
During online application there is a option to sect secure returning documents and the passport fees to be selected. Both these payments can be made online using card.
Yes u r right the bar code on top left is the referees number..

It's very very easy and after that you have a chance to review all information before you click on submit button. Even after submitting the form if u do a mistake, which I did. . I added a letter to correct my mistakes. I spoke to then and they said all ok.

Nowadays they are sending a additional letter to the referee to confirm the identity of applicant by a separate letter for all kids applications

Good luck

We will be using postal service not online and not check and send

[chowkal]

@Averagejodle
During online application there is a option to sect secure returning documents and the passport fees to be selected. Both these payments can be made online using card.
Yes u r right the bar code on top left is the referees number..

It's very very easy and after that you have a chance to review all information before you click on submit button. Even after submitting the form if u do a mistake, which I did. . I added a letter to correct my mistakes. I spoke to then and they said all ok.

Nowadays they are sending a additional letter to the referee to confirm the identity of applicant by a separate letter for all kids applications

Good luck

[HelloitsmeAbby]

I paid by credit card. The guidance notes that come with the form have a card payment page which you simply cut out, fill in and enclose with your application. I sent my application by special delivery. I didn't bother with secure return of docs but if you want you can enclose a prepaid envelope such as special delivery.

I did this 4 difference times, for each of my family members and had no problem. I never used check and send.

Hi All,

You know if you choose to NOT use check and send, how do you make payment to HMPO... postal order or can you pay by card? and the extra £3 to pay for secure return of documents, how is that paid?

So I can use MY debit/credit card to pay for my husbands application?

[khani]

Hi,

I applied for the interview before I received the letter, you have to mention the barcode as the reference number and it gets you through.

Best wishes

Hi

after how many days of applying you called them ??? thanks

[bpt]

Hi,

I applied for the interview before I received the letter, you have to mention the barcode as the reference number and it gets you through.

Best wishes

[rayclark]

If you used the paper form the ref number is the same as the barcode on the top left of the form. For online apps I don't know. I would wait 1 week from when you sent the application.

Please help


Hi friends

I applied for Passport on 17th Nov, can you please tell how to book interview , what reference no to give them and what to say as I havnt received any letter yet ???


Thanks

[rayclark]

I paid by credit card. The guidance notes that come with the form have a card payment page which you simply cut out, fill in and enclose with your application. I sent my application by special delivery. I didn't bother with secure return of docs but if you want you can enclose a prepaid envelope such as special delivery.

I did this 4 difference times, for each of my family members and had no problem. I never used check and send.

Hi All,

You know if you choose to NOT use check and send, how do you make payment to HMPO... postal order or can you pay by card? and the extra £3 to pay for secure return of documents, how is that paid?

[adinx]

NEW PASSPORT DESGIN
Hi peeps,
Please can anyone who has applied recently and received their passports confirm if it is the new design passport as I have just applied for mine.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... gazine.pdf

[HelloitsmeAbby]

think the reference number is same as the barcode u got from post office...

[khani]

Please help


Hi friends

I applied for Passport on 17th Nov, can you please tell how to book interview , what reference no to give them and what to say as I havnt received any letter yet ???


Thanks

You need to wait for the interview letter first

People Booked their interview before they received interview letters, this is what I am asking. how to ?

thanks