[timber321]

Update on my timings… I feel very lucky. I’ve just received my supporting documents back, exactly 2 weeks after receiving my UK passport. So I’ve been able to cancel my US embassy appointment and finally stop stressing. I’ve listed the timings, as noted in the HMPO system, for my experience below. All in it was 7 weeks – 5 weeks from submission / mailing docs to receipt of UK passport and 2 further weeks till I received supporting docs back. I never did have an update that my application was being processed – it jumped straight from docs received to application approved. This was through the Liverpool office for a 1st UK passport based on naturalisation.

25 April: Application submitted
25 April: Ask someone to confirm identity
25 April: Email sent to person confirming identity
27 April: Identity details received
27 April: Application received
>> (27 April: Documents sent via Royal Mail, 2 day guaranteed delivery)
>> (29 April: Documents confirmed received by Royal Mail tracking)
11 May: Documents received (updated in system)
28 May: Application approved
31 May: Passport printed
1 June: Passport delivered
15 June: Supporting documents delivered

Thanks everyone. This forum was hugely helpful to me so hopefully this info can help others. Good luck all!

[timber321]

@LAD
Thank you so much for all the information. Hugely helpful in managing my stress levels! I’ll bring both DS-11 and DS-64 as you advise when I go next week so thanks for that tip! Plus all the other documentation that they probably won’t ask for and I already have some printed US-sized passport photos ready to go. Like you, I keep my US drivers license up to date with a US address for just these situations. Shame about my current passport automatically being cancelled, mainly for extremely vain reasons – it’s far and away the most flattering passport photo I’ve ever had or ever will have and I regularly get compliments on it (LOLs, oh well…).

I’m not even sure it’s worth the hassle of the daily hounding the HMPO for my original back. Sounds like it has has never actually helped expedite anyone’s situation?! Such a shambles. I’m already dreading renewing the dang thing 10 years from now, although I’ve vowed to never give them my US passport again and only send photocopies which I saw in asterisked small print somewhere that they will accept in extenuating circumstances if you explain why absolutely necessary. Probably unlikely for 1st adult passport, but hopefully ok for renewals, worth a shot anyways if applying WELL (like 6+ months) in advance.

I’ll update on this forum if/when I ever do get my original US passport and naturalisation certificate back as I know the info is very useful to all of us in this ridiculous situation.

Thanks all!

[timber321]

@LAD
Could you give a bit of detail on your US embassy appointment / experience? I’m in the exact same situation as you were in – I’ve received my UK passport back, but have been waiting on my supporting docs (US passport + naturalisation cert) for a few weeks now with no word, no update and I’m travelling to the US in 4 weeks for my brother’s wedding so am very nervous! To be safe, I have an appt at the embassy in a couple weeks in the expectation I still won’t have my passport back. So I’m curious as to your experience, how easy/difficult it was, did they seem pretty used to these requests, were they nice/helpful, what docs you provided, etc. In 10+ years of living in the UK I’ve actually never once been to the embassy!

My plan is to follow the guidelines for a second passport, so DS-11 form and signed statement explaining the situation, plus bringing photocopies of my US passport, proof of flight booking, proof of passport submission to UKVI, US birth cert & drivers license and a couple printed passport photos.

Also, when did you eventually get your US passport back? How many weeks after your UK passport?
Thanks!

[Author]

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