Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
European Passport Return Service
After 30+ years in London I have decided to apply for Permanent Residency in order that I can apply for British Citizenship if I feel it becomes necessary.
It is a pretty horrible exercise with an 85 page form which has to be completed, documentation to prove that you have lived here continuously etc.
I have just found out that Haringey does not provide the European Passport Return Service. Going to Camden means chancing it and going and hoping to get seen as there is no appointment system. Islington has an appointment system, but you have to go there to make an appointment.
Has anyone had any experience with this and have any recommendations? The thing is that once you submit your Permanent Residency application you have to send the Passport data, hard copy application and supporting documentation within 10 days or the application and fee is forfeited.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by BibaLiba on
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I went to Islington Town Hall, got the appointment on the day of my choice. Paid £15 with debit card so that they can cover postal expenses. They give you a receipt and checklist of things to bring to the appointment. It was very straightforward. The online form is not 85 pages long and much simpler than the downloaded one you fill by hand. My advice is to get the appointment and submit the form a couple of days before, once you have collated all your paperwork for evidence.
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Use the online version of the application form, by a quirk of Home Office process you require less evidence than the paper version. Make sure that the 5 year period you choose to use for the qualifying period conforms fully with the rules for your status at that time. If you want to go for full citizenship you can ask for Permanent Residency to be backdated so you can shorten the elapsed application timeframe overall.
Camden have actually moved the office within their building and employed extra staff to deal with demand, especially for the peak before article 50 was formally triggered (received wisdom thought this may be used as a cut off date in forthcoming negotiations). Go to their office for opening time and you should be seen the same day.
Although it says it can take up to 6 months, current averages are 3-4.
Good luck!
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Thank you. Yes I am definitely using the online version as you can now use that if you are applying for family members as well. You still have to print it though and send it with all the paperwork but I want to use the passport service so that we don't have to be without our passports. I might try Camden although I am waiting to hear back from Kensington & Chelsea as they seem to operate an appointment system which includes Saturday and evening appointments. Also, councils seem to be able to charge what they like for this service or not provide it at all.
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Permalink Reply by Ruben on
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you can try Enfield, I think they make phone appointments
https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/births-deaths-and-marriages/che...
I sent all documentation by post and, if you need your passport back, you can request them with a form on-line. They will make a copy if necessary and send them back to you.
Otherwise, look in the home office website
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-passport-return...
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Thank you. I can't be without my passport so sending it off is not an option. I came across the service offered by Chelsea & Kensington. You email them, they call you back to arrange an appointment within 5 days (it took 2 days for them to get back to me) - I had a good choice of appointments and opted for a 8.40AM appointment in 2 weeks but could have had an earlier appointment if I was willing to take an appointment in the middle of the day. They charge no more than elsewhere. They recon it will take 20 minutes and then they package up the documentation, charge me for postage and send it off :)
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