Renewing UK passport

onzey

Hi

I picked up an envelope from the post office the other day containing the form to renew my passport. As well as the 4 page Application form there is a "Supplementary form" with stuff to fill in to help UKPS verify your identity. The odd thing is I can find no reference to this form in the "How to fill in your passport application form" booklet (it has it's own "How to" on the reverse) and also no reference on the UKPS website. Is the form optional? At the top of the form in bold type it says "Only complete this form if you are applying for yourself or your child". Is it me or doesn't that cover everybody? I will probably submit a query on the UKPS website but just wondered if anyone here had seen this form.

Thanks.

onzey

Just got this back by email after submitting a query to UKPS website.


"Thank you for your enquiry.

The Supplementary Form is put into Application Packs randomly
therefore that is why there is no mention on the How to , although
it is completely voluntary. Hope this is of assistance to you."

budgetflyer

Although not a money saving tip, it is worth paying extra for the Post Office "check and send" service. Guaranteed in 14 days plus they check your forms before they are sent off.

System

I didn't bother with the Post Office. If it's a straighforward renewal there isn't much to it. I renewed mine last month with the online renewal form. It was really simple, just filled the form in, then within 2 days they sent me a copy to check & sign & return with my photos. My new passport was sent within 2 weeks, (though they do say to allow 4 weeks)and they added on the extra couple of months that were still valid.

I was shocked at the price though- £42! I was expecting it to be about £20.

onzey

Thanks for your thoughts budgetflyer and Tark.

misty

£42 is a bargain I paid £50 for a new one. £42 for the passport, £5 for the post office to check it! and £3 for them to send it back to me by registered post and not second class mail as they would have done otherwise.(safety first not a motto for the passport office). They have a breakdown on the back of the form of the charges unlike the customer who has one when he sees them. Admin - £19 - £2.75 for employee to lick stamp, £1.50 for wear and tear of shoe leather going to post it, £8 for coffee for staff whilst out posting it etc. It all started when I thought - I know I'll fly to London - I can do it cheaper than then train thanks to Adam's Ryan Air tracker. At least I didn't have to pay for someone to sign my photos - I noticed the doctor charges twenty odd quid!!