Does anyone know how long it takes to get a new passport back from the UK? Hubby's was sent to the UK 2 weeks ago, and no sign of it yet, though mine sent to Embassy last year was back in less than 2 weeks. And La Poste tracking doesn't work!
No, a teacher who is a UK citizen (SFN member too). Really, talking to a couple about that last night, they said they waited about six weeks for one child with a UK countersignature and less than four weeks when they went to their maire. Flip of the coin and fickleness of the service I guess. Let's see with mine that will be post immediately the Christmas days are over.
Actually, Ian, we did get the original passport back, without requesting it - about 4 days after the new one. It came with a note telling us the paperwork was being processed and that the new passport would be with us soon!
Brian, did you use a French counter-signatory ? We used our Mayor and this caused all sorts of problems so we had to start again and use a UK passport holder (a teacher friend) which makes life easier in Durham
Six weeks and STILL waiting for our daughter's renewal. There is absolutely no consistency whatsoever, so the bottom line is that it might be two weeks but could as easily be the four weeks they say or even longer. Anybody's guess...
I still have a couple of multiple visit visas open and just in case I can get back to work and travel inside the next couple of years, when I renew in February I shall need it back. It is as you say BUT many countries will only accept the original and not a copy.
Good job you don't need the old one for any Residence permits and so on - at least not for the EU, but I don't know what you would do for an American or other visa stamp in the old passport. I always scan and keep a copy on my pc. Ah - I see from above......Old passports back by request only now.
No consistency then. We have already waited over the four weeks they say for our daughter's renewal. Old passports back by request only now.
Passport is back! I posted it on 20th November, and it was received on Friday 13th Dec, so just over 3 weeks turnaround. But they didn't send back the old passport, which they used to. So, for the future, as others have said, it's probably best to expect it will take 4 weeks.
Things have changed Ian. 2 years ago the embassies could handle passports, and indeed returned them quickly. But now they have stopped this service and passport applications have to go to the UK.
I sent mine a couple of years ago, to the Embassy at Marseilles, and after a phone call, I had a new one back in 2 weeks. I think the Embassy is best. Take care with the photos they have to be very exact. I actually got my local French Doctor to countersign my forms and other necessary things - that is accepted, apparantly!
My daughter's is a renewal, UK countersignatory, so no issues at all. I simply remember it differently. I used to go to Petty France and get a new passport over the counter in about half an hour. It strikes me that as things have become more sophisticated they have also slowed down instead of getting faster apace the technology. All very strange. I'm very interested to see how long mine takes!
I think it is longer for a new issue passport than for a renewal Brian, mine was a straight renewal with no countersignatures required, it would take longer if there are things to verify.
With all our different permutations it looks like: a)when they are busy we wait, b)as civil servants they feel like doing a bit of work, or c)luck of the draw. There is no single answer.
I am amazed that mine took just 7 days from posting to return by DHL. They must like me :-)
That's interesting ... I didn't think it was possible to get it done in the UK. Is it UK prices or the daylight robbery Embassy rate?
I sent mine away first week in November and had it back 10 days later, the passport was back with me before the tracking notification!!!!, so I really have no complaint, they do say 4 to 6 weeks is to be expected.
I applied for a new one a couple of months ago and I was surprised at how quickly it was back - definitely less than 4 weeks. Have they debited your credit card yet? Mine arrived back by DHL.
Jan
If you check online you should now send all applications to the UK Offices. When you use the automated online enquirer there is no mention of send applications to the Embassy in Paris. Did mine last month and it was returned in only 7 days.
Rgds, Mike L
Be careful - we recently renewed my daughter's passport and as we have done previously (with Paris) used the Mayor to sign the photos. After 4 weeks got a bit panicky so called them (strange 72 hour call back system !) - they had written in English to them but nothing received here. After much mucking about we started again with an English teacher friend here and passport arrived after 7 weeks total. If you use a non-British counter-signatory they are making more checks so find a UK passport holder !