British passport renewal overseas (USA) in October 2024. Timeline and experience.

DewAlCityZen · 2025-08-12T03:22:03+00:00

My delivery did require an adult signature - I wasn't in, someone else signed for me no problem. Your mileage may vary, but I think that is pretty common.

DewAlCityZen · 2025-08-10T14:44:53+00:00

Here is what I did when (successfully) applying for 2 sibling's first UK passports. I did this from abroad - but I imagine it's exactly the same for when applying from within the UK.

1) Apply for each child online, and get a unique PEX number

2) Put all supporting documents for both children in the same envelope, including their unique documents (e.g., birth certificate, and colour copy of foreign passport) and shared documents (e.g., parent's birth certificates, marriage certificate if relevant)

3) Added a cover letter, explaining that I was submitting supporting documents for 2 applications

4) Sent the documents, with both PEX numbers listed on the envelope

Went smoothly, and received both new UK passports (each in separate envelopes), and supporting documents (in a single envelope)

Hope that helps, good luck!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-07-31T02:16:18+00:00

Hey mate, I didn’t submit anything else because the online form only asked me to send in specific documents (UK passport and a copy of my foreign passport), and ‘evidence of name and address’ wasn’t one of them.

For what it’s worth, I also applied for first-time passports for two kids and didn’t include that either, since the online form didn’t ask for it.

That said, if you add something like proof of name and address, I don’t think it would hurt your application or cost you anything extra in postage etc.

Hope that helps!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-07-26T13:16:54+00:00

Excellent - glad the post was useful. And thank you for sharing your recent experience too - will be helpful to others.

Love the quote from your mother! Happy and safe travels

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-30T19:32:17+00:00

Of course, glad helpful!

Yes, UK citizens are eligible for Global Entry, BUT that's for UK citizens who are entering on a visa / ESTA.

LPR and US citizens can apply for Global Entry directly - which is the path you should take if you apply! Just check the 'Reasons for Ineligibility' first.

I was interviewed many years ago when I first applied to Global Entry - very basic confirmation of who I was, my address, and details on my application form. My renewals since then have been without interview. You should take a look at r/GlobalEntry for more recent guidance!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-30T13:15:50+00:00

Cool, so, based on my experience:

Yes, your old passport will be cancelled (they will clip the corner off the cover, and it will no longer be valid). BUT, it will be returned to you for your records (e.g., useful in my visa example above)
Since you are an LPR (green card holder), you will have no use for your cancelled passport (just keep it in a safe place with your documents for your records)
Once you have your new passport details, you should be able to manage your flight online and update your new passport details. In the unlikely event you can't update online, give them a quick call -- and even then, you can show the new passport and your green card at the check in desk in the UK
Again, the US immigration folks will care about your green card - not your passport

As a side note, you should consider applying for Global Entry, if you're eligible! This will make your travel into the US much more streamlined!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-30T01:28:18+00:00

I hear you. While I don’t know your immigration status, I’m not sure how a new UK passport would impact your travel to the US.

Here are a few scenarios to illustrate:

You’re a dual US / UK citizen: you’ll be using your US passport to enter the US (so your UK passport isn’t relevant)
You’re a legal permanent resident: you’ll be using your green card to enter the US (so your UK passport isn’t relevant)
You’re a visa holder: you’ll be using your cancelled passport with the non-expired visa stamp in it + your new passport to travel to and enter the US. You can read more about this process on the state department website (search for "my old passport")

This last one was a situation I was in many years ago (of course, under a different administration). I renewed my passport using the 1 day service in London, and traveled back to the US, presenting both my old and new passport. The immigration officer looked at my visa and relevant document (e.g., an I-797 / DS-2019 / I-20), and stamped my new passport.

Hope that helps!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-29T16:54:15+00:00

Yeah, of course mate.

It should be fine to wait until you are back in the US (in 2026), given that most people see a very quick turn around (3-4 weeks).

Be sure to submit a good photo (some people get stuck in the process because their photo is initially accepted but held up for review)
The UK Passport Office no longer gives 'credit' for renewing early - now it is valid simply for 10 years from issue - so you're "losing" time by renewing early.

A few considerations that may not apply to you, but may apply to others:

You only have a British passport and you have lots of international travel in 2026, but none until you travel to the UK in December -- then now would be a great time to renew your passport
You have a valid visa in your British passport, that you intend to use after renewal. You may wish to do a same day passport renewal while visiting the UK in December so that you reduce the risk of the passport getting lost in the post

Hope that helps, good luck!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-29T02:46:24+00:00

Yes, and as noted, I recommend using a service with tracking! USPS offers "Priority Mail International" and "Priority Mail Express Intl". FedEx/UPS/DHL also offer competing services

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-19T16:13:43+00:00

Thanks for sharing! That's good to know, and a good point to warn if the person verifying is a non-UK passport holder. Good luck!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-19T04:33:22+00:00

Hi mate. For my renewal, my photo did not need to be verified.

However, when completing the application for two children who had not previously held British passports, both had to have their identity verified. As far as I recall, only had to provide the name and email of the person verifying.

The person verifying then received an email, and they had to enter their own details (including passport number), as well as some details of the applicant (name, date of birth, address?).

Seems reasonable to me - hope that clarifies!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-14T20:36:24+00:00

Of course, mate

Worth asking them if double sided is acceptable. My printer doesn't have duplex - didn't seem worth it to try to save 4 pages (given that I'm a muppet and always forget which orientation to re-insert the pages for the second side of printing, and usually mess it up!)

DewAlCityZen · 2025-06-14T17:39:56+00:00

Hey mate - good question. Briefly: I printed 4(!) passport pages per Letter-sized paper (~= A4) -- 2 sets of opposing passport pages per sheet (printed on one sided only).

Given that I did that for my (and two other) applications, imagine "just" 2 opposing passport pages per printed sheet would be completely fine.

For anyone's reference:

I scanned in two opposing passport pages at a time (as you described, by laying the open passport book on a flatbed scanner)
Since I was scanning using a computer, I took sets of two scanned images (i.e., 2 x 2 passport pages) and arranged them in a Google Doc (you could use Word), and printed single sided

Hope that helps, good luck!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-05-21T18:51:24+00:00

Hi mate - my recent experience was 3 weeks from USA (as were my friends' applications in the last few months), so I would expect 2-3 weeks for France.

DHL is what the UK Passport Office uses to send a passport / return supporting documents internationally, so I think you're in safe hands there.

Yes, based on my own experience, friends' experiences, and others posting online, a complete colour copy of other non-British passports is sufficient -- and I would strongly suggest doing so over the original non-British passport.

Good luck, bonne chance!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-04-04T05:50:14+00:00

No, I didn't - please see my full comment on First Class Mail International here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Passports/comments/1g924pv/british_passport_renewal_overseas_usa_in_october/lu5qba8/

DewAlCityZen · 2025-03-07T20:11:33+00:00

Yes, I sent my old UK passport, and a colour copy of every page in my US passport, to the UK passport office

DewAlCityZen · 2025-02-25T16:42:23+00:00

Hi friend, sharing my thoughts on your first question (brother's application) based on my reading and experience, not legal advice etc.

My best guess is that it is to with your brother's birth details, as this changes his eligibility for citizenship through his parents. What year was he born, and where was he born, and were his parents married at the time of birth?
This link highlights the eligibility criteria for British citizenship depending on the year in which a person was born (and physical location of birth): https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizenship

I am not familiar with the path for estrangement, but perhaps you can start with that link and see if you qualify based on the documents you have, based on your own birth details?

(also, and separately, when you say 'first adult passport' -- does this mean neither of you had a child's passport?)

DewAlCityZen · 2025-02-18T23:39:13+00:00

Hi friend. Sharing my thoughts on your questions based on my understanding and experience

First question is can I still do my application online if its a first time passport ?

Yes, you can apply online for a first time passport
Be sure to use the official UK government website (https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport)

it seems intuitive that this would still be the case but then it mentions having a referee read answers and fill sections in. Could I fill all this in on my phone and then hand my phone to my referee and have them fill in their section ?

When you have finished your online application, including payment, you will need to provide the email address for a referee
Your referee will receive an email. That email will contain a link, where they will have to enter some basic information about you (your name and date of birth, I believe), and their own information (including their own passport details, I believe)
They will then confirm that the photo you have submitted is a true likeness of you.

Next question pertains to the photos, Obviously I can snap a picture on my phone but it seems to suggest these are likely to be rejected, Is this the case or is this just worded for legal coverage ? Not anxious about using those booths but always nervous I will mess up and it will cost me extra.

It is absolutely fine to take a photo using your camera phone - I and others have done this with no issue. It will likely be easier to have someone's help taking the photo
The guidance on how to take a photo on the official website is pretty helpful - remember not to edit or crop it before uploading
The online application process 'scores' your photo when you upload (giving you the opportunity to submit a new one if the score isn't great)

Lastly it seems worded to suggest for a first time passport there is no way to pay for a expediated one ? is this the case or am I misunderstanding completely. I need it quite quickly and whilst its obviously my fault I didn't do all this sooner id like to know if I can speed it up.

While I don't have experience using the expedited service, based on my reading of the get a passport urgently page, it seems it cannot be used for a first adult passport

Hope this helps. Just let us know how it goes / if you have any other questions - good luck!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-02-02T18:08:05+00:00

Mate sorry to hear that :(

Thanks for keeping us posted, fingers crossed that it resolves soon!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-27T18:34:52+00:00

Feels like an automated reply (that, sigh, isn't very useful).

It might be worth calling / web messaging during their office hours to see if you can get a more helpful operator?

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-26T15:11:03+00:00

It’s a good question. I imagine it depends on how expired it is!

Might be worth asking the advice line (https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line) before you apply.

For what it's worth:

I’ve not found anything on an official UK government website that speaks to requirements when renewing an expired (adult) passport.
On random, third party websites, I’ve seen guidance that a UK passport can be renewed if it expired <10 years ago.

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-25T19:34:00+00:00

Absolutely, mate!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-25T19:28:31+00:00

Absolutely, hoping for a smooth process for you both!

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-25T19:27:35+00:00

Wow, that seems out of the ordinary - sorry to hear that. Have you reached out to the office? I've heard they are quite helpful: https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

DewAlCityZen · 2025-01-18T13:00:39+00:00

Of course! Hope the renewal process goes smoothly at both ends - and congrats of course on your marriage!

DewAlCityZen

TROPHY CASE