First British Passport application

Good evening all,
I have submitted my application for my son’s first BP, I need to send his registration certificate and Passport used to enter the U.K. this has now expired.
We have just received the new SA passport but are flying out in a few weeks.
I am scared if i submit the passport it won’t be returned in time.
Could I just send copies and a letter explaining why we have held onto the original?
Thank you,

You could have applied using the one week fast track service.

jkproperties wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 14, 2023 6:57 pm

Good evening all,
I have submitted my application for my son’s first BP, I need to send his registration certificate and Passport used to enter the U.K. this has now expired.
We have just received the new SA passport but are flying out in a few weeks.
I am scared if i submit the passport it won’t be returned in time.
Could I just send copies and a letter explaining why we have held onto the original?
Thank you,

No you can't, the application would be refused. Processing times are quite short at the moment, you may get it in around 2 weeks.

When I applied we were still waiting for the new passport so didn’t expect the problem. But then received an email confirming the new passport is available for collection.
And SA home affairs needs the old passport so we didn’t submit and waited to collect the new passport.

Would the application be refused or additional documents requested and the process delayed?

I might have to just risk it.

For Clarification:
Original Expired SA passport submitted
Original registration certificate submitted
Letter to motivate my application
Proof of flights to support above letter
Copies of all pages of new SA passport submitted.

HMPO wants all valid passports. If you apply like this it may well be rejected, that's why they tell you not to book any travel unless it's an emergency until you get your passport.

Ok, this has been booked since January, and SA passport application done in June.

Was their ILE on a BRP Card? This would need to be returned once they become British as it is no longer valid.

Or was their ILE in their now expired passport as a visa vignette?

This is relevant as how would they board a plane back to the UK without a British passport or valid BRP card.

Oh, shucks, I hadn’t thought about this.
He has both, BRP and vignette in expired passport.
Could the BRP be used?
How long would HMPO wait for documents?

His BRP is invalid now. Your son is over 18 yes, and attended a ceremony where the pack he received would have told him to return the BRP card within 5 days or risk a £1000 fine.

I dont think it said 5 days but, yes it said he needed to return the BRP or he might be fined £1000