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Applying for my first British passport after the ceremony

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 8:50 pm
by livingintheuk1234
Hi All,

I was wondering if somebody can help with my query.

So Im due to attend my British Citizenship Ceremony soon and will want to do the online passport application.

Q1. Do I need to wait for the online passport application to finish and them to tell me the referee has confirmed before i send off the Certificate, and my 2 passports to the HM passport office or should i wait for the online application to complete? I guess I was planning to save time by sending the documents before hand. I was unsure if the online application or the confirmation of the referee would give me some special code or a diffrent passport office address that i need on the envelop before i send it?

Q2. Ive read various posts that say the envelop needs to be an a4 brown with (do not bend), others say that to include a self return plastic envelop with this, others also say to do away with the a4 brown to not bend and just put the certificate and 2 passports on the plastic special delivery envelop. Could i get some guidance on what other members have done and what might work best? (i would like to preserve my passports and certificate as much as possible).

Thank you

Re: Applying for my first British passport after the ceremony

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2025 10:26 pm
by contorted_svy
livingintheuk1234 wrote:
Tue Sep 23, 2025 8:50 pm
Hi All,

I was wondering if somebody can help with my query.

So Im due to attend my British Citizenship Ceremony soon and will want to do the online passport application.

Q1. Do I need to wait for the online passport application to finish and them to tell me the referee has confirmed before i send off the Certificate, and my 2 passports to the HM passport office or should i wait for the online application to complete? I guess I was planning to save time by sending the documents before hand. I was unsure if the online application or the confirmation of the referee would give me some special code or a diffrent passport office address that i need on the envelop before i send it?

You will send the online application and your referee will be contacted. Only after your referee confirms your identity you will be given the address and you will send your documents. The application will be processed once they receive your documents.

Q2. Ive read various posts that say the envelop needs to be an a4 brown with (do not bend), others say that to include a self return plastic envelop with this, others also say to do away with the a4 brown to not bend and just put the certificate and 2 passports on the plastic special delivery envelop. Could i get some guidance on what other members have done and what might work best? (i would like to preserve my passports and certificate as much as possible). You can send your documents as you wish, but any postage materials you send for them to send you the documents back will be ignored. I had sent everything in plastic folders which were thrown away.

Thank you