UK Passport renewals - Best way to send

[Hamish McPanji]

Have completed the passport renewal for my son and paid for it online. Now the form says I should post it to a UK address as specified.

Has anyone done this before, and how did you send it?

Note: Am not for the first time a little bit shocked that the UK actually treats its overseas citizens in such a shoddy way. And I have seen the procedure getting worse every time we have to deal with them

 

[Sinbad]

Dude the process is so damned easy
Just take the form you printed and your other passports to post net and courier to the address provided.

 

[BlindMelonChitlin]

Have completed the passport renewal for my son and paid for it online. Now the form says I should post it to a UK address as specified.

Has anyone done this before, and how did you send it?

Note: Am not for the first time a little bit shocked that the UK actually treats its overseas citizens in such a shoddy way. And I have seen the procedure getting worse every time we have to deal with them

Postnet - they have a special service - it goes via DHL I think.

On the treatment side - the trouble is the numbers - just too many people.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Dude the process is so damned easy
Just take the form you printed and your other passports to post net and courier to the address provided.

Ok. I was going to use FedEx or DHL.

You know the fscked this up totally last time, and sent me someone else's passport, without the original birth certificates of 2 generations which they were demanding

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Dude the process is so damned easy
Just take the form you printed and your other passports to post net and courier to the address provided.

How long does it take? I can't go anywhere for Easters (even local flights) because my son won't have ID (his passport)

 

[bwana]

How long does it take? I can't go anywhere for Easters (even local flights) because my son won't have ID (his passport)

Four weeks or so.

Why would your son need a passport for local flights?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Four weeks or so.

Why would your son need a passport for local flights?

They always ask for ID on local flights. What ID can I use for him?

 

[bwana]

They always ask for ID on local flights. What ID can I use for him?

I don't know - what does every other kid without a passport use? There's got to be something if they require ID from a minor.

Are they not SA citizens as well as UK?

 

[Sinbad]

How long does it take? I can't go anywhere for Easters (even local flights) because my son won't have ID (his passport)

Um. Bout 3 weeks if I remember right. New brit pp and other pps came back separately so dont panic when you get one back without the other.

 

[Sinbad]

They always ask for ID on local flights. What ID can I use for him?

Good question. Birth cert?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Good question. Birth cert?

No Photo. It's a Saffer birth certificate. Hand written. They refuse to give us a printed one because we are foreigners

 

[bwana]

No Photo. It's a Saffer birth certificate. Hand written. They refuse to give us a printed one because we are foreigners

If they have SA birth certificates aren't they also South African?

 

[Hamish McPanji]

If they have SA birth certificates aren't they also South African?

No, just means he's born here. Since none of us 2 were permanent residents at the time, they said the normal abridged one will not be issued.

Am trying to apply for perm res this year

 

[bwana]

No, just means he's born here. Since none of us 2 were permanent residents at the time, they said the normal abridged one will not be issued.

Am trying to apply for perm res this year

Ah - ok then.

Best to leave him home at Easter then, sounds like he's a hassle.

EDIT - seriously though - his existing BC should suffice. You could always check with the airline.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Ah - ok then.

Best to leave him home at Easter then, sounds like he's a hassle.

Not funny. I had almost done my booking for Jbay in Easter....and my wife stopped me. Now I'm gonna be sitting my arse in Jburg

 

[bwana]

Not funny. I had almost done my booking for Jbay in Easter....and my wife stopped me. Now I'm gonna be sitting my arse in Jburg

Easter is what, five weeks away? Plenty of time.

The wife sounds like a hassle as well. Let her babysit while you hit JBay.

I'd ask the airline though. When does his current passport expire? A combination of his BC and a certified copy of his UK Passport might be all you need.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Easter is what, five weeks away? Plenty of time.

I'd ask the airline though. When does his current passport expire? A combination of his BC and a certified copy of his UK Passport might be all you need.

It says on the website 4 weeks after receiving it. Assuming 1 week at least courier time, I wasn't willing to risk it.

Last time I travelled domestic, I asked them and they said original passport only. It expires in August, but his permit expires in June (like mine) so wanted the new permit in new passport.

The sucky thing is I couldn't even take him to Malawi for Easters , which was the original plan because SA requires a passport that has 6 months validity for entry purposes.

 

[HavocXphere]

Doesn't a SA ID also work for local flights?

Can't you renew it at the local consulate?

 

[bwana]

Doesn't a SA ID also work for local flights?

From what I've read a) he's a kid and b) doesn't have perm res so no ID.

Can't you renew it at the local consulate?

No.

 

[Hamish McPanji]

Doesn't a SA ID also work for local flights?

Can't you renew it at the local consulate?

Yeah, we have to carry our passports and permits where ever we go. Even to the airport to drop people off, as the cops are sitting there waiting.

Had my car stolen twice, and just lucky that I had the documents on me at the time, as getting these things reissued is a major ballache