Passport - sending off old passport

ameliarrrr

hi!
I am renewing my passport and am required to send my expiring one. It says “Check the weight and pay the correct postage – consider using signed for delivery. ” but from what I’ve seen HM Passport office was a Freepost service?

can I check how much I should pay to send my passport to them - will one stamp do? Or is it free

thank you in advance !

elsien

You can send it freepost but some people, myself included pay for other services such as special delivery for security reasons, in which case the sender has to bear the cost.

Bigphil1474

I would use the signed for delivery as they don't issue your new one until they get the old one. Probably a load of hassle if it goes missing.

Ayr_Rage

Don't just rely on weight, my old passport was the version with extra pages and failed the thickness test when checked at the Post Office.

As above, best to use a signed for service.

NoodleDoodleMan

As above, go to a Post Office and have it returned by recorded delivery.

The official advice (if memory serves) is to cut away a triangular corner at the top right of the first page - this indicates the passport is no longer valid.

kassy64

Renewed mine online recently, including taking own photo using smart phone. Used the 2nd class signed for option at my local post office, think it was £2 odd charge. It arrived at passport office in less than 48 hours, and new passport was received roughly 5 days later (old passport was received following morning). Very impressed with the overall service. Bit of advice take a photo of the old passports bio page with a phone etc before sending it back, if it does go missing at least you will have a record of passport details easily to hand, as they definitely will not issue the new one until old passport is received.

eskbanker

Bit of advice take a photo of the old passports bio page with a phone etc before sending it back, if it does go missing at least you will have a record of passport details easily to hand, as they definitely will not issue the new one until old passport is received.

If "they definitely will not issue the new one until old passport is received" then surely having the details of the old one won't actually overcome that?!

However, my understanding is that there is a process of declaring the old one to be lost/stolen, which allows issue of a new one, and having the relevant details to hand will no doubt ease that process.

On the wider issue, it seems to me that old passports will sometimes go missing in the post, and paying extra for additional postage options won't actually change that…

kassy64

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900464#Comment_81900464

That was my point exactly, should the old passport go missing (which it can whatever method of posting you use) having the correct details to hand just may make the reporting of 'lost' passport somewhat easier.

heatherw_01

I personally would never send it freepost. I always pay for tracking to prove I posted it as they can go missing and to track it so you can see where it is and where it went missing and to prove it was delivered.

Also I am not sure if tracked/signed for items are handled better as they have to scan them along the way, so I am not sure if it reduces the risk of loss? I am not sure, but I do send tracked for that reason as well.

But many are happy to take the risk, so that is your choice. This is just my personal choice and experience.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902581#Comment_81902581

What difference would it make to be able to prove you posted it, if it went missing and you had to declare to HMPO that it was lost?

In any case, you can obtain a free certificate of posting even without paying for extra services:

https://help.royalmail.com/personal/s/article/What-is-a-certificate-of-posting

heatherw_01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81902600#Comment_81902600

This is just my personal preference as I mentioned.

Yes use proof of delivery if sending freepost for sure. Definitely agree.

Not sure if they take more care with signed for items because they have to scan them at the delivery point?
I do not know, but as I said, this is my preference and I said this is up to the op to choose to do as they wish.
But I do think tracking is safer. And you can see where it went lost on the tracking which makes reporting as lost much easier.

I have had lots of mail get lost even with proof of posting, but with signed for, I have had less issues and when there have been issued, they have been able to see where the item had issues because of the tracking and often find the item. Again this is my personal experience.