UK passport renewal has not arrived

[buksida]

My son's British passport was due for renewal in March so in February I downloaded the current forms filled them in, attached the photos and supporting documents, and mailed them to Liverpool Passport Office via EMS as instructed on the website.

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y ... _new/child (this page has changed since my application, and the prices are lower)

The tracking showed arrival on February 24th and a couple of days later 5,600 baht was taken from the credit card (this included return courier delivery).

Since then I have had no response and the passport has not been delivered. Our local post office gives the expected "mai mee".

First course of action was to complete this form: https://eforms.homeoffice.gov.uk/outrea ... iries.ofml

Three days later you get an email from ukpa@reply.co.uk asking for the following information:

The application number
Your full name and applicant’s full name if different
Your full postal address
Applicant's date of birth
Any further details such as when your application was submitted.

Replied with the info and heard nothing for two weeks so completed the form again and went through the same process (which I have done no less than six times now, none of which has been replied to).

I then tried the "support hotline" (+44 (0) 300 222 0000) and was put on hold at five quid a minute.

I then asked my mother in the UK to call the hotline and she was told that they could only give information to the applicant ... who is 7 years old. I asked if they could call me ... cannot.

I tried the online form again, and the hotline, this time they asked for a "barcode" number - haven't got a clue what this is as it was a paper application. "Please wait on hold sir" ... 15 minutes and about 20 quid later I was cut off.

Finally some one from Liverpool@hmpo.gsi.gov.uk replied stating that they emailed me on March 24. I received no email and as yet, ten days later, have not had a reply from this address either.

I'm running out of options now and my son no longer has a British passport. Thinking of asking the Bangkok Embassy for assistance but I know they're going to say "phone the hotline" or "contact Liverpool HMPO, it went there".

Any suggestions appreciated.

[thepalmbistro]

I am currently waiting on my new passport arriving after sending to the UK they day after the rules changed so finger crossed it arrives soon, credit card has been charged.
I personally would call the embassy as it could be with them as i was under the impression that now you need to apply in person they ask you to pick it up in person. ( I could be wrong, but when I applied for my kids passport in 2011, they sent them to the embassy and they were left in a pile, even though it should have come directly to me. I found out they had arrived after ringing the hotline, and they informed me that someone had signed for them.

It would be worth a try. I am waiting till the four weeks are up and then phoning the embassy.
On another note, the Bar code is the one on the application form, you can search for your passport process online after three weeks has passed but need this number, only they don't tell you to take a record of it prior to sending your application off.

Hope your sons passport arrives soon.

[sand_dancer]

Buksi

I feel your pain......

I am sure you are aware..... That is the problem with faceless bureaucrats that hide behind phones and email addresses.....

I renewed mine last year...... Through Hong Kong and had my new PP in hand in about 20 days...... Why change a system that worked perfectly......

I don't know the answer to your dilemma......

There is an app / website that will give you the local dial number..... Will save paying premium rates.....

Secondly...... I would scan the documents / EMS slip...... and email / CC it to every passport department / Embassy in BKK email address that you can find......

Re emailing it every day..... Until it gets resolved......

[Frank Hovis]

Not that it will be of much help but with a UK 0300 number you should be able to dial 00944 300 to get the 1baht/minute rate from TOT/CAT or whoever it is provides the 009 international service.
The 0300 numbers are supposed to behave just like a normal 01 or 02 number (and cost the same).

[caller]

Definitely phone the Embassy - at least to learn if you are affected by the 'must collect in person' change as mentioned above.

Shoddy service though.

[chopsticks]

use the website :
www.saynoto0870.com

to find an alternative non-premium rate number eg. Liverpool passport office is listed as 0151 471 2920

[buksida]

Finally, after a lot of pissing about yesterday the Bangkok embassy managed to rouse a response from Liverpool. I received an email with a PDF letter (why they couldn't mail it at the time I dont know) stating that they need additional documents, namely proof of current address.

Any idea what I can use to prove the address of a 7 year old child that has no tax records or visa, no employment records or utility bills and no ID card yet?

Has anyone else done this, if so what did you use? I did include his British birth certificate but apparently they want something within a year.

[Terry]

Very strange Buksi - I never had to do this when I got both my boys passports earlier this year.

Anyway - maybe the school registration papers in Bang Saphan?

[buksida]

We have the blue book which has his name and address but it is not within the last year. It also means I have to haul ass to Bangkok to get whatever we do use translated ...

Not happy.

[Pagey]

Buksi : Did you send proof of your address, i.e. utility bill, bank statement as it's normally proof of the parents address they require and they presume the child lives with their parents.

[lomuamart]

I'm not sure about this proof of address for kids but the whole issue has been a nightmare for many adults.
I was daunted by it with my recent application but read that some people had used their proof of income letters from the Embassy which state an address.
That worked for me, but appreciate that it's a different situation for you and your son. The idea of school docs or utility bills may help? They sound good to me as bills are one proof that suffices for an adult - that was clearly stated on the Embassy's website before there was yet another change from Liverpool to BKK.
Alternatively, get in touch with the Embassy and if you're lucky you might not have to go up there. I got a document certifying that the new passport was genuine just by emailing some details and and scanning docs.
If you explain the situation, they may be helpful. The letter I got didn't cost anything and was back with me in HH 5 days later by EMS. Then you've got to get it to England etc etc. A right royal palaver but at least you may be moving in the right direction. And don't forget that the Embassy have already helped.
Also, might Prachuap/Dan Sinkorn Imm issue a letter proving address? That'll save you a trip to BKK. Maybe even the police in BS might do the same?
Whatever you get, send it through the Embassy, get a letter from them and send it off to the deadheads in Liverpool. I bet you'll get the passport fairly quickly after that.
Good luck.

[buksida]

After another day of fruitless phone calls, and smashing my head against a wall they've finally replied and said I can use a certified translation of the blue house book which has his name and address on.

Now I hope I can get it posted to them before their enforced deadline and their cancellation of the application and theft of my payment.

[richard]

I'd be inclined to jump on that monster bike of yours and deliver it by hand. Particularly bearing in mind the long weekend holiday scenario looming

[buksida]

Well it finally arrived yesterday.

I'm glad they've changed it back to Bangkok now as those muppets in the HMPO Liverpool don't know their arses from their elbows, at least the Bangkok Embassy actually responds to you.

[dozer]

Seems the London HMPO is much the same as Liverpool HMPO

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... -tape.html