thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 9, 2013 14:03:47 GMT
And if so did they give you the documents back on the spot?
Because little boy is adopted from overseas, we have extra documents (though we also have the long form certificate like everyone else). These are pretty much impossible to replace so we are wondering if we could go in person and just get them back rather than trust the post?
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Post by chotimonkey on Nov 9, 2013 16:09:58 GMT
I didn't, but did pay for recorded delivery to return the documents to us
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 9, 2013 17:42:56 GMT
We're still a bit nervous about that!
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Post by smileycat on Nov 9, 2013 21:08:52 GMT
I used to work with a lady who went twice to apply for her kids passports because she had booked the holiday but left it too late for them to be posted in time. She quite literally came back with the passports so I should imagine they just looked at the documents and said fine. If I was you I'd just wait in line... for the sake of a couple of hours out of your life it seems worth it to me. The only other thing that comes to mind is could you get a solicitor to make certified copies?  Just a thought... Good luck. SC x |
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 9, 2013 21:23:06 GMT
They don't accept certified copies for passports, and the same day appointments are only for renewals, not for first passports.
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Post by chotimonkey on Nov 9, 2013 21:59:44 GMT
You're right the fastest they will do a first passport for a child is a week, but you could phone and check if you can go in , take documents, then pick up docs and passport in person a week later
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 10, 2013 20:27:38 GMT
That's what I'm talking about - fast track. I was under the impression you had to get the passport posted back to you though. Have you gone back to pick up the documents in person? If so that would be an option instead.
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Post by smileycat on Nov 10, 2013 20:55:38 GMT
Ah, apologies, my memory must be confused!!! Can you give the passport office a call?
If you could just show the documents to them at the passport office at least you could save them being posted..and get the passport itself sent recorded....
Good luck.
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 11, 2013 10:46:11 GMT
Hubby has tried to give them a call but they "don't give advice over the phone". As I said in the OP I want to find out if anyone HAS just shown them to the passport office. I don't know if it's possible so I want to find out if anyone has tried! That's why I'm asking!
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Post by cowgirl on Nov 12, 2013 21:00:14 GMT
Hi yes we had a say 9am appointment at the London passport office, showed the relevant documents & paid the fee and then went back about around 7pm.
Late January this year.
We phoned passport office & made appointment - they gave a few times & dates.
You queue to get in to documents checked then queue again for it to be processed by the admin clerk
Airport style security so it takes a bit longer & you have to have ID & I'm pretty sure you need a few forms of ID.
Passport office were very clear what we needed (stated which adoption paperwork they wanted)
Our son had a passport but in BM name but it was treated as a new application
On the phone I was told short birth cert was acceptable but we got there the manager wouldn't accept it so we had to get a new appointment & go back (only charged the once) on reflection we should of brought with us every scarp of paperwork
Hth
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 13, 2013 10:49:42 GMT
Thanks cowgirl. Was yours the system where it is posted to you a week later? I assume you didn't get the new passport the same day (when you went back, I mean) as it was treated as a first one?
We know we need the long form (we need every piece of paperwork in the entire world because of it being an overseas adoption).
I've just emailed the passport office and they say we cannot take the documents away. I need to email back and ask if we can bring the original and a copy, and leave a copy.
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Post by cowgirl on Nov 13, 2013 13:08:39 GMT
Hi perhaps because it was a renewal but treated as a new application (if that makes any sense) we did collect it on the day.
I will find the link & phone number I called.
Could it be that it's because your child is overseas that it causes more grief ?
I'll be back ...
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Post by cowgirl on Nov 13, 2013 13:17:52 GMT
Hi ok you will have looked at all of this yourself but for any one else following this thread .... Yes as it's a 1st passport you can't use the premium service which we did & collect within 4 hours but I read this that if you arrive in person & have your documents checked & application accepted & pay and you will get your passport in a week delivered to you. If they take your documents what exactly are you paying an enhanced rate for ? You may as well get the post office to check your documents ! www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgentlyPutting adoption to one side you are not the only parents with children not born in the UK ! Can't be that difficult can it ? |
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Nov 13, 2013 13:20:09 GMT
It comes back faster - if you send it from the PO there's no way it comes back in a week.
Our problem is that we could replace almost anything in his documents except for one of them which can never be replaced, and which is specific to children adopted from (not born) overseas.
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Post by cowgirl on Nov 13, 2013 13:23:32 GMT
Me again - sorry I hadn't read all your posts or others peoples posts I can't see how they are giving you specific advise if you ask on the fast track do you get the documents returned there & then sorry after all of that I'm probably as much help as a chocolate tea pot  |
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thespouses
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Post by thespouses on Dec 20, 2013 18:51:20 GMT
OK so if anyone ever needs to do this, we went today and this is what happened:
When we rang up to make the appointment I explained that because he was adopted from overseas we didn't want to lose documents in the post going to them, and they were understanding, but they still need to keep them and send them back. They asked what documents I was bringing and suggested something additional (which nobody adopting from the UK will need so it's not that relevant) but basically they have an expert who can check you are bringing the right documents (like a check and send person should be!). They look at your (parent's) passport but you can take that one home with you.
We got an appointment for today, middle of last week, it's pretty quiet at this time of year. They can't send the passport back to you in a week at Christmas but it will be 9 days.
They were very nice in the office and let little boy run around (and eat his sandwiches which strictly isn't allowed). The first official I saw passed me on to a specialist, and there were two of them, one of them was a UK adopter which was lovely! I tweeted this and AUK retweeted me!
This person was actually just in training but she was able to point out to the higher up official who was training her what it said on the long form birth certificate, and I could then explain how his foreign, amended birth certificate is different (where he was born they just issue one that's identical to birth children, which shows us as if we were his birth parents. He can see his original birth certificate when he's 18 though if he wants).
They kept all my documents and explained that they will come back in one envelope and the passport in another, but it's all sent by courier.
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Just a thought...
