I'm hoping to finally make my move at the beginning of November this year.

My current passport expires September 2009.

Is it worth renewing my passport here before I leave, or just wait and do it from the US in 2 years time?

When I renew my passport, do I get a full 10 years on the new one?. There was a statement on the passport website which said


Does this mean that a new passport will only last until 9 months after my current unexpired one? I'm a bit confused by this.

the way i read it they will add nine months un-expired time to your new passport. So if you renewed it now I think that your new passport would be valid for 10 years 9 months. Giving an expirey date of around April 2018.

I could be wrong, maybe someone else see's it differently.

Rob

When I renewed my Passport here in the US to show my married name it still had 1 year and 8 months left.... when I got the new passport 2 weeks later it was valid for 10 years and 9 months......

Kez

Well that clears that side of it up.

Now, is it worth doing it now, or is it cheaper/easier to do once I am there?

You may not have enough time to renew it in the UK before your interview.... you can do it in the US but it will cost more because of the exchange rate....

Kez

It depends where you are in the application process. There will be plenty of people here in the UK that have known you long enough to countersign the paperwork. however, be aware that as it is now the summer (apparently) months there is the seasonal influx of passport enquiries etc. Also the photocopy of your passport you sent in for your visa request will not match the new one that you will have when you go to the interview possibly causing some delays.

It might create more problems than it solves if you apply now.

I saw an advert just the other day (in Heat magazine, cringe ) from the UK Passport agency reminding people that it can take up to six weeks to get your passport. I'm sure that's at the outer range, but nonetheless it will take time. If it were me, I'd wait to do it until you're Stateside.

I am applying for a new passport now and have an appointment Friday to get a new one.

I am asking them if I can keep the old one or if they can send me the old one back.

This is something that they can do. I don't see what problem getting a new passport would cause in my opinion.

My fiance was sent his old one back (when he got the new one) - it had the corner cut off the top to indicate it was no longer valid. He also had about 4 months validity remaining on the old one - they tacked that on to the validity date of the new one.

I got my new passport today and was given old one back.

I feel better with a new passport my old one is 5 years old and tatty.

lol

When Annie changed her name from here in the US, there was no extension given. The same expiration date remained.