Passport Processing is taking forEVER!

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

Anyone else got a UK passport renewal/change pending? We sent it in Feb 11 and unfortunately I assigned the task to another person who did NOT get the tracking number. (ugh) I've called the charge by the minute helpline three times only to be told "it was the snow" now "they're just behind" and "you know it takes six weeks". We've got tickets purchased for April 30 and they're making me nervous!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

My husband sent his renewal application in about three weeks ago. I don't think they've yet charged his credit card, but I wonder if they do that as one of the final steps?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I found the UPS receipt. The renewal application was received by the embassy February 23, no charge to CC yet.

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

My charge just showed up yesterday so HOPEfully it will make it back in time! Maybe yours will post today or tomorrow.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

My charge just showed up yesterday so HOPEfully it will make it back in time! Maybe yours will post today or tomorrow.

If you don't mind my asking, what was the charge? (I'm drawing a blank.)

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

217.00

[Empress of Groovy 373]

217.00

Thanks! That sounds about right.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

We received some distressing news. The embassy sent back my husband's application with a note that they couldn't get process the credit card. We triple-checked it, and all the information is correct and legible--number, expiration date, billing address, etc. This is fvcking outrageous. He included two phone numbers and an e-mail address, and they never contacted him about it. They sent back the entire application, so even if he did decide to call them (at $3 a minute) to dispute this, they couldn't do anything because they sent everything back. So now he needs to get a money order, and they're demanding that he add $12 for cost of returning to him his completely valid and correct application. Needless to say, the husband is livid, and so am I. This is even worse than USCIS. To make matters worse, his passport expired last month, his stepfather is basically dying, and he's worried that he won't be able to travel back. This is appalling.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

We've done some further research, and it seems that the passport renewal site and the credit card authorization form have been updated to instruct applicants to contact the credit card company or bank and alert them that a charge from the British Embassy is expected. I'm not sure if the transaction shows up as foreign, or what. Of course, the previous version of the form (the one that my husband submitted) did not have this instruction, so I'm guessing that's the root of the problem. Why someone couldn't have called him is beyond me. Also, the fee went up on February 24, and his original application was confirmed as delivered February 23. It seems that his application arrived on the cusp of a few changes, and they didn't even take into consideration the timing. I'm still really pissed off about this.

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

We did not take that extra step so I guess we got lucky. I agree it's a bigger cluster than dealing with immigration....

I've heard there is a hardship, expidited process so be sure to ask about that...when you call back at $3 a minute again....grrr

[Empress of Groovy 373]

We did not take that extra step so I guess we got lucky. I agree it's a bigger cluster than dealing with immigration....

I've heard there is a hardship, expidited process so be sure to ask about that...when you call back at $3 a minute again....grrr

Yeah, we'll see. I hope it doesn't come to that. Jon didn't bother calling because it would have been pointless. They sent back all the materials to him (this is probably by design), so they wouldn't have been able to do anything until he resent the application. The only thing he could argue is that he shouldn't have to pay for the return shipping or the $12 fee they charge for returning the materials to him. We figured the best thing to do is resend everything with a money order and then, once he has the passport in hand, lodge a complaint and request a refund for the shipping fees. No advantage to pissing off the functionaries! But yes...very poor all around.

[Stinkerpotsam 5]

Ours showed up in the mail suddenly two days ago...good luck with yours!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Ours showed up in the mail suddenly two days ago...good luck with yours!

Thanks! The resubmitted app was delivered Friday, so fingers crossed. I wrote (on Jon's behalf) what I hope was a diplomatic cover letter expressing confusion about the problem with the credit card and disappointment that no effort was made to contact him by phone or e-mail to resolve the issue. I hope they'll process it quickly rather than put it at the bottom of the pile, but I'm not optimistic. It took them three weeks just to send back the application.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Update: Jon's passport arrived this morning, just shy of four weeks from the day they received the resubmitted application. Still no word about what the credit card problem was.

[Silver 0]

I sent my passport for name to be changed on 23rd March. Credit card was charged on 15th April and I received new passport his morning - was surprised at how quick it was processed!