British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[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]

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]

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.

[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.

[[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

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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

[akhurshid]

TODAY i send my application through check and send service. cost me 85 and some pence.They asked me to submit my biometric card as well because they need to check current status before process my application.Is it normal procedure.

I don't want to say I told you so but thanks for proving my point.
Yet another poorly trained PO employee. They know nothing about what to check. To me that is just waste of money.

[zabizabi]

TODAY i send my application through check and send service. cost me 85 and some pence.They asked me to submit my biometric card as well because they need to check current status before process my application.Is it normal procedure.

[akhurshid]

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

[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?

[ryanintheworld]

Update: Passport dispatched: 4 Mar. 2015

I guess I got all grumpy for no reason -- it's on its way!

Ryan, please tell me that you are serious. Mine was finally accepted 2/27. Can I be right behind you??

I am completely serious. I think bazinga was telling the truth, as my dates are all just one or two days behind his.

[Nonayerbisnis]

Passport For: Adult
Application Type: First Time (overseas applicant from USA, dual citizen by birth)
Method of Application: Online
Application submitted online with payment: 14 Feb. 2015
Declaration page sent with supporting documents: 23 Feb. 2015
Application received by HMPO: 25 Feb. 2015 (per courier tracking)
Application received and under review by HMPO: 26 Feb. 2015 (per online application status page)
Receipt of interview letter: N/A
Passport interview appointment: N/A
Update: Passport dispatched: 4 Mar. 2015
Passport receipt: Waiting
Documents returned: Waiting

Notes: I included full color copy of US passport (and US passport card, just for good measure). Co-signor is a UK citizen who is currently residing in the USA.

I guess I got all grumpy for no reason -- it's on its way!

Ryan, please tell me that you are serious. Mine was finally accepted 2/27. Can I be right behind you??

[ryanintheworld]

Passport For: Adult
Application Type: First Time (overseas applicant from USA, dual citizen by birth)
Method of Application: Online
Application submitted online with payment: 14 Feb. 2015
Declaration page sent with supporting documents: 23 Feb. 2015
Application received by HMPO: 25 Feb. 2015 (per courier tracking)
Application received and under review by HMPO: 26 Feb. 2015 (per online application status page)
Receipt of interview letter: N/A
Passport interview appointment: N/A
Update: Passport dispatched: 4 Mar. 2015
Passport receipt: Waiting
Documents returned: Waiting

Notes: I included full color copy of US passport (and US passport card, just for good measure). Co-signor is a UK citizen who is currently residing in the USA.

I guess I got all grumpy for no reason -- it's on its way!

[simply_the_best]

Passport for: Adult (naturalised)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 19/02/2015
Date application received by IPS: 20/2/15
Date of return of documents: 3/3/15
Date of receipt of interview letter: 25/2/15
Date of Passport Appointment: 26/2/15
Date of Passport Receipt:

2/3/15

Has gone so fast. Just want to thank to all the moderators and other people that kindly help on this forum. Has been a pleasure to be on it. All the best to everyone who's waiting. My journey has come to an end now

[psnlb]

Update

Passport for: Naturalized Citizen, Child
Application Type: First Passport
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 06/02/2015
Date of SMS: 12/02/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 03/03/2015
Date of return of documents: Waiting

[akhurshid]

Thanks akhurshid. I asked it to be delivered secured too. As I've seen it lately it takes a week time to get them back

It can take up to couple of weeks for documents to be sent back. Have seen few people receiving the documents a week after receiving the passport.

[akhurshid]

As far as I read in the guidance booklet, it says all uncancelled!! I sent of my current passport (not the expired) on the 26 and got it back today! I paid extra for secure return so it was quick!

An expired passport is not a cancelled passport. Passport application guidance clearly states what a cancelled and uncancelled passport is.

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

Passport application form

B. You must send us all uncancelled passports with the application.

[rockstar1]

Hi,
In passport application they are asking for uncancelled passport. Do I need to send them my expired passport as well.Picture should be taken in last month, I have some picture taken for my AN application in January .Is it ok to send those for british passport I am going to apply next week,.

HI zabizabi,
Apparently you don't need to send expired passport just the current one should be fine. I have applied with current passport and citizenship certificate and I have got the original documents back on 27th February without any problem. Hope it

That advice is wrong. Passport form clearly states that you need to send all un-cancelled(including expired) passports as well. I have seen people getting away with not sending expired passport but that does not mean that it's not required. I would send it else they may ask you to send it anyway which means your application will be delayed.

As far as I read in the guidance booklet, it says all uncancelled!! I sent of my current passport (not the expired) on the 26 and got it back today! I paid extra for secure return so it was quick!

[jaweb]

[quote="akhurshid"][quote="jaweb"]Guys,

Do the passport staff send back the documents with the appointment letter or they hold it there you go to the interview? Thanks[/quote]

For me and wife, it arrived the same day we received the interview letter. Inter letter came in normal post while documents delivered by DX as we chose secure return.[/quote]


Thanks akhurshid. I asked it to be delivered secured too. As I've seen it lately it takes a week time to get them back