British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[ryanintheworld]

Ryan, didn't you send a copy of the co-signer's passport 1st page? That would tell for sure what type of passport it was. In any case I am sure that it is easy for them to figure out. BTW I spoke to the person handling my application last week - told me that adult first time overseas passport applications from the US are taking at least 10 weeks

No. My instructions said, inter alia: "If the applicant lives and is applying from outside the UK the countersignatory must: [. . .] where they hold a US, Commonwealth or other EU (not British or Irish) passport, provide a colour photocopy of their passport's biodata page (the page with the photograph). This must be sent in with the countersigned declaration form."

Accordingly, I did not send a copy. I thought to do it anyway, then discarded the idea, and now wish that I had done so. I'll push the expected return date in my calendar back a few weeks (I think I was planning on 8 weeks). I was hoping my British friend's passport would help speed things along, but it's okay if it didn't. I can be much more patient than I may seem.

[akhurshid]

Guys,

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

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.

[jaweb]

Guys,

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

[Nonayerbisnis]

Ryan, you may not want to get your hopes up too much. Passport sent only a few days after an overseas application for first time adult received???? Sounds very suspicious. A clue may be in the individuals nickname. "Bazinga" = prank, 'gotcher'. I may be wrong but don't get your hopes up

Oh, yes, reality is setting in, my application is still pending, and my original calendar entry of the expected return date was never adjusted.

I also had a very stupid problem -- I failed to make sure my cosignatory indicated precisely passport he holds (that is, I didn't make sure he lined out the part about Irish, EU, Commonwealth or US passport holders in order to indicate that he is a UK passport holder). Who knows what they're doing with the passport information and what records they are trying to get and from which country.

In re bazinga's name, I have held onto my faith that he is a fan of a certain nerd-related TV sit-com who had great luck and that he is not a troll.

Ryan, didn't you send a copy of the co-signer's passport 1st page? That would tell for sure what type of passport it was. In any case I am sure that it is easy for them to figure out. BTW I spoke to the person handling my application last week - told me that adult first time overseas passport applications from the US are taking at least 10 weeks

[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: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

[ryanintheworld]

Ryan, you may not want to get your hopes up too much. Passport sent only a few days after an overseas application for first time adult received???? Sounds very suspicious. A clue may be in the individuals nickname. "Bazinga" = prank, 'gotcher'. I may be wrong but don't get your hopes up

Oh, yes, reality is setting in, my application is still pending, and my original calendar entry of the expected return date was never adjusted.

I also had a very stupid problem -- I failed to make sure my cosignatory indicated precisely passport he holds (that is, I didn't make sure he lined out the part about Irish, EU, Commonwealth or US passport holders in order to indicate that he is a UK passport holder). Who knows what they're doing with the passport information and what records they are trying to get and from which country.

In re bazinga's name, I have held onto my faith that he is a fan of a certain nerd-related TV sit-com who had great luck and that he is not a troll.

[akhurshid]

Well it was based on the personal experience and I have read the similar advice some where in this thread that we need to send the current passport and that's why I send my current passport only. There was no delay at all my kid already got his passport in 5 days.

So HMPO has has put that requirement in the application form and guidance book just for fun?
As I said before, just in case you can get away with something doesn't make it correct.

[Nonayerbisnis]

Update:

Passport for: 1 Adult - First Adult Passport
Method of application: Online Application (Overseas)
Date of application: 15/02/2015
Date application received: 24/02/15
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not Needed
Date of Passport Appointment: Not Needed
Date of Passport Approval/Dispatched: 27/02/15
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

Congrats, bazinga! Yours was received 1 day before mine, so maybe mine will be ready tomorrow (if they are open and processing applications tomorrow) or early next week

Ryan, you may not want to get your hopes up too much. Passport sent only a few days after an overseas application for first time adult received???? Sounds very suspicious. A clue may be in the individuals nickname. "Bazinga" = prank, 'gotcher'. I may be wrong but don't get your hopes up

[ILR13]

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 will help.

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.

Well it was based on the personal experience and I have read the similar advice some where in this thread that we need to send the current passport and that's why I send my current passport only. There was no delay at all my kid already got his passport in 5 days.

[dupuytren]

Hi all
Has anyone had any experience/issues with return of supporting documents?
I've received my UK passport back 2 weeks ago but I haven't received any of my supporting docs back despite having called them twice last week, and today they called me back and didnt have a concrete answer...they seem to be blaming Secure DX even though they said there is no record of secure DX even delivery a second package...
the person on the phone seemed confused when I suggested he should check with the staff in the Passport office whether my supporting docs have left their office in the first place?!!
*frustrated*!!!!!

[abBY20]

Hi Nexus,A big congrats to you again
Thank you and hopefully I should get mine by the end of the week too
Please start a new thread for applicants in 2015
There's no day that I don't come back to this forum
Am kind of use to it and so emotional like you said too
Please book your trip and enjoy travelling visa free to most western countries
All the best

[Nexus15]

Hi nexus
Good to see your name here too
Remember we started the January thread together
The journey is over[/quote]


Hi Abby

Absolutely, thank goodness eh?! I feel really emotional about leaving now, I kind of made friends here and would like to stay in touch with people.. perhaps start another thread for emotional beings like me who just don't want to go. I felt very encouraged and wish you all the best with your interview tomorrow. You could have your "maroon" by the end of this week...

[Nexus15]

hi Nexus

I had my appointment in the evening. It would have been nice to meet though

UPDATE

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (First Adult Passport for Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 16/02/2015
Date application received by IPS: n/a
Date of return of documents: TBC
Date of receipt of interview letter: 24/02/2015 (date of letter is 20/02/2015)
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/02/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: TBC

Wow that was Fast! so we both had our appointments today, I had my around 08:00 this morning what time did you attend... we might have passed each other!

haha - I would have been definitley up for that. If there is ever anything like this to do again, I would. Congratulation on completing your journey also. I got mine friday evening and got my original docs back at the same time. First trip is booked. Germany - for work of course. All the best.

[Nexus15]

Final Update

Application Type: New (Naturalised Citizen) - Adult
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 11/02/2015
Royal mail delivery confirmation: None
SMS confirming receipt by IPS: None
Date of return ofdocuments: 27/02/2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: 19/02/2015 Dated 18/02/2015
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/02/2015
Date of Passport printing sms receipt: None
Date of Passport Receipt: 27/02/2015

I'm all done now. Thanks to everyone who have been a great support. For those waiting, I wish you all the best.

[akhurshid]

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 will help.

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.

[ILR13]

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 will help.

[taurus]

Sorry, I just realised that I had not updated the return of documents date

Thank you to everyone who comes on to share information and guide others during the process. I am sure we are all relieved when there is some information here as we otherwise, have no option but to worry.

UPDATE - FINAL

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (First Adult Passport for Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 16/02/2015
Date application received by HMPO: N/A - Post Office clarified it was sent on 16/02 and the applications cannot be retained at PO
Date of receipt of interview letter: 24/02/2015 (date of letter is 20/02/2015)
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/02/2015
Date of return of documents: 27/02/2015 (re-scheduled for this day, first attempt was made on 25/02/2015)
Date of Passport Receipt: 28/02/2015 (first delivery attempt was 27/02/2015)

[taurus]

Send them the uncancelled passport + the passport you first entered the UK on.

Please refer to picture guidelines on the passport application guidelines booklet.

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,.

[vs22]

Application type:(naturalised citizen)
Application Method-check &send (Reading, Berkshire)
Date of Application:18/02/15
Date application received n/a
Date of return of document:24/02/2015
Date of interview letter received:25/02/2015
Date of interview:26/02/2015 (Reading)
Date of receipt of passport:28/02/2015

I would like to thank all the moderators/users of this forum who have been of tremendous help.

I wish you all top luck for the future.

Cheers.
V

[ot72]

Update

Update

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First Adult Passport for Naturalised Citizen
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 17/02/2015
Date application received by IPS: NA
Date of return of documents: 27/02/2015
Date of receipt of interview letter: 24/02/2015 (dated 20/02/2015)
Date of Passport Appointment: 25/02/2015
Date of Passport Receipt: 27/02/2015

[zabizabi]

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,.

[abBY20]

[quote="abBY20"][quote="abBY20"][quote="simply_the_best"][quote="abBY20"]Application type:(naturalised citizen)
Application Method-check &send
Date of Application:19/2/15
Date application received 20/2/15
Date of return of document:27/02/15
Date of interview letter received:26/02/15
Date of interview:03/03/15
Date of receipt of passport:

[ryanintheworld]

Update:

Passport for: 1 Adult - First Adult Passport
Method of application: Online Application (Overseas)
Date of application: 15/02/2015
Date application received: 24/02/15
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not Needed
Date of Passport Appointment: Not Needed
Date of Passport Approval/Dispatched: 27/02/15
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

Congrats, bazinga! Yours was received 1 day before mine, so maybe mine will be ready tomorrow (if they are open and processing applications tomorrow) or early next week

[misco78]

Hello,

here is my timeline:

Application Type: New (First Adult Passport for Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: Check and Send
Date of application: 27/02/2015
Royal mail delivery confirmation:
SMS confirming receipt by IPS:
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

[bazinga]

Update:

Passport for: 1 Adult - First Adult Passport
Method of application: Online Application (Overseas)
Date of application: 15/02/2015
Date application received: 24/02/15
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not Needed
Date of Passport Appointment: Not Needed
Date of Passport Approval/Dispatched: 27/02/15
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

Okay, your status updates said IPS(SMS), so I assumed SMS referred to text message notification (all these acronyms are so new to me!). I just relied on web pages for courier tracking + HMPO online application status. Thank you!

Ah sorry. I used the same "template" everyone else used, even thought SMS wasn't applicable. I updated it