BC application: 3 months?

[barnaby]

Does anyone know why the HO website says: "You should think very carefully before applying if you require your passport within the next three months"?

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... tingtimes/

It seems to suggest that they return documents within 3 months even if they process the actual application at their leisure. But my wife applied for citizenship 3.5 months ago and there is still no sign of the HO returning our passports.

[Jambo]

The documents are returned when (or close to) a decision is made. This can takes more then 3 months. However, after 3 months, you can normally contact the HO and ask for the passport back as it would have been scanned into the system by then (even if a decision wasn't made yet).

[barnaby]

The documents are returned when (or close to) a decision is made. This can takes more then 3 months. However, after 3 months, you can normally contact the HO and ask for the passport back as it would have been scanned into the system by then (even if a decision wasn't made yet).

Thanks Jambo. My wife just called the HO and asked whether we can have our passports back, since it's been more than 3 months. They said that they can return my (UK) passport, no problem, within 10 working days. But returning my wife's passport may delay the application.

[barnaby]

My passport arrived today (unusually quick response from HO)! Moreover, they also unexpectedly sent back my wife's passport, which they had said may delay the application. I guess that's good news, since (others have said) that documents are returned shortly before a decision is made. On the other hand, it may be just because we asked for them.

Anyway, it's great to have those passports back.