Passport application ....

[Boris+]

Hi John ,

Well, I have to agree with you - it could all be much smoother, and a bit tigher control too; I'm not at all surprised that there were problems with the passport section in 2014.

I don't 'think' I have a bit of an OCD problem as you put it - I'm simply a numbers-driven and accuracy sort of person, and I find it difficult to accept that people are paid good wages (and various perks too along the way) in return for what in my view is sloppy work.

--------------------

Hi Stephen,

I paid the extra for the return delivery bit, so it was £75.50; which I also feel is a bit much. I know mine has arrived at the destination, and it will be interesting to see how their online tracking system works - if I get spare time to look.


Em

[Andrea S]

My passport has allowed me to return to the UK 14 times this year. £72 for a 10 year document is good value.

[colwill]

Mine's coming up for renewal. Shame we can't keep the old photo - I looked much better ten years ago.

[david63]

... attaching a digital passport photo with your on-line application has great merit,

Interestingly you can do that when applying for an Indian Visa but you have to pay extra for the privilege!

[Boris+]

Hi David,

That's a big improvement on how it used to be!

Em

[Stephen]

My passport has allowed me to return to the UK 14 times this year. £72 for a 10 year document is good value.

My old passport worked the same too, but at a fraction of the cost. But I guess wage rises have got to be covered somehow.

http://conversation.which.co.uk/transpo ... ve-europe/
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/expe ... sport.html


Application processing: £14.67............I thought I done most of that online. But I guess a quick cross check and a press of a button costs these days
FCO consular protection: £15.12 ......... Great, if you can get there before your shot.
Book production: £12.25.................... REALLY........I didn't pay that much for Clarksons latest
Secure delivery: £3.00.......................So I can expect it to arrive in an extra thick jiffy bag then. Actually, that's not bad considering the weight and postage costs these days.
Anti fraud initiatives £16.06...............And I'm paying for this because I'm RENEWING a passport that was already authenticated 10 years earlier.
Authentication by interview................I see, so I'm paying towards some toe rag who wants to enter the UK illegally......and no doubt will, and then claim every benefit going.
Administrative: £5.02........................ Yet another little tax wheeze. let's call it 'Administrative' instead of making it part of 'Application processing'.

[Andrea S]

Stephen. Missing 1 like button.

[Stephen]

It must be the quickest passport turn around ever. Submitted documents online and posted off old passport and form on the 30th December 14. New passport dropped through the letter box yesterday evening (a bit spooky) with follow up documents (old passport) today.

It must have been the innocent looking photo's of me that swung it

Result

[GillD46]

They do seem to be very quick when they want to. Mine was back within the week last year too.

[david63]

I think that a lot depends on the time of year - people are now starting to wake up and think about summer holidays so they will [possibly] consider their passport.

[Boris+]

I worked out (looking at their website etc) that it would arrive Monday. I had a text this morning, and when I got back from shopping there it was - apparently it was sent by courier, but we weren't at home, so he took a photo of the front door!!!

Em

[jay-ell71]

Jolly good. It seems that the system works efficiently and smoothly. Still at £72 a throw, so it should.

[Stephen]

I think that a lot depends on the time of year - people are now starting to wake up and think about summer holidays so they will [possibly] consider their passport.

Exactly David, which is why I got mine sorted out now. Come the Spring it will probably be a different matter.

[wolfie]

I worked out (looking at their website etc) that it would arrive Monday. I had a text this morning, and when I got back from shopping there it was - apparently it was sent by courier, but we weren't at home, so he took a photo of the front door!!!

Em

Considering that it should be signed for, what difference does a photo of your front door make unless off course, it's No.10!!!

Courier could even now be making a mint out of your new passport, should they have chosen to do so. I would be making a complaint Boris as you must have paid for a, 'signed for' delivery which didn't happen.

[david63]

Considering that it should be signed for

Passports do not have to be signed for. The courier company is a special "secure" company. Arguably there is more risk leaving it with someone else (even signed for) than putting it through the letter box. Remember that this is a passport and your address will have been verified.

Also there would be complaints if the courier had to keep coming back because you were not in and in doing so delayed the return of your passport.

[towny44]

Just checked my application online and it says "dispatched", which is darned good if correct, I only posted the printed application, photos and old passport on Monday, and it only said "being processed" on Thursday.
To clear up some delivery myths the following is extracted from the online help list:-

In most cases your new passport will be delivered by courier (on behalf of HM Passport Office) between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. In some areas where there's a low risk of deliveries being lost your passport may be delivered by Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This is covered by the passport fee.

In most cases the courier will not need you to sign for your passport. Couriers use technology that records the address, time and date of the delivery, and the courier will take a photo of the property where the passport was delivered. Please note that the courier will not post your passport in an outside letterbox. They will leave a calling card for you to arrange delivery at a convenient date. The calling card will explain how to:

- have your passport delivered at a set time (the charge for this depends on where you live)
- have your passport delivered at any time during a specific day (there is no charge for this)
- collect your passport from the delivery company's secure collection points, or
- collect your passport from a passport office.

[GillD46]

My passport was delivered by Royal Mail signed for last Autumn. I was a little slow getting to the door, and he was just walking back up the drive, with the package in his hand.

[Silver_Shiney]

Couriers use technology that records the address, time and date of the delivery, and the courier will take a photo of the property where the passport was delivered.

That merely proves he came to the address, not that he pushed the package through the letter box.

[david63]

That merely proves he came to the address, not that he pushed the package through the letter box.

True, but I would expect that anyone delivering passports by this method has been well vetted - and if a passport was to go missing who would be the first one having a finger pointed at them?

[Stephen]

Probably vetted in so much as, 'can you read and do you have transport'.

[Boris+]

Well it's been an interesting experience - it comes in a small white envelope with the contents clearly printed on the outside! Now how daft is that.

The courier company is a company which I believe delivers a lot of documents between legal offices .......... but I don't think it's the best option.

When you get the passport, there's a small yellow sticker at the back which you have to remove ....... why?

Then it's 'hunt the chip' time - allegedly it's now 'hidden under the cover'.

I still don't like the current system, and I think it's full of holes.

For instance, I could have been away (as opposed to away with the fairies before anyone says it), and a complete stranger could have got hold of it. No, I'm not worried, just pointing out the holes in this new system.

Oh well, time to start shopping for a holiday then!

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

That merely proves he came to the address, not that he pushed the package through the letter box.

True, but I would expect that anyone delivering passports by this method has been well vetted - and if a passport was to go missing who would be the first one having a finger pointed at them?

"but I delivered it, guv, computer says so and here's the photo to prove I was there"....


Maybe I'm just too cynical

[Barb44]

We had an appointment at the Post Office today to renew our passports using their check and send service. We were told the new passports would be delivered by courier but we don't need to be at home as they will be posted through the letterbox.

Barbara x

[jay-ell71]

What would be the perfect way to deliver a passport to your home?


I don't suppose there is an absolutely, 100%, foolproof method, but a currier service is the nearest to 'foolproof' that you will get. No?

[Boris+]

Hi Jay,

Well each to their own, but if a UK passport is as valuable as it's made out to be, and if I'm expected to pay for one, then I would prefer to either have it delivered with a signature required, or maybe to go to a local office and collect it in person.

Everyone will feel comfortable with different arrangements, and I have this belief that customers should at least be given a choice.

Em