Passport application: Odd request to send written statement?

[regular256]

Hello all, long time lurker here. I've just been naturalised and applied for my first passport. I've been to the interview (25th March, Victoria) and called up this afternoon (4th April) to query my application.

I was put through to HMPO customer services and was told to send a written statement that I was going to "surrender my passport".

I asked whether this meant surrendering my old passport of my native country (which I lose citizenship of upon naturalisation) and the customer service rep was a bit unsure but said yes.

My question is - is this an odd request?? Cannot find any similar examples on the board. Cannot find any relevant documentation on the Passports policy page on gov.uk either. I've mailed them a letter but to my basic understanding this seems like a process someone has created.

By way of background I was asked this at the interview and I answered that I would be handing the old passport over to the relevant country embassy in London for them to cancel it.

[noajthan]

Is passport in a different name from your current name?

[regular256]

No, all in the same name.

Also rather odd, when I phoned up I did ask if they had sent out a letter to me with this request. The answer was "no letter has been sent". Doesn't seem very professional to me.

[noajthan]

No, all in the same name.

Also rather odd, when I phoned up I did ask if they had sent out a letter to me with this request. The answer was "no letter has been sent". Doesn't seem very professional to me.

Its odd its being done by phone (lucky that you phoned up!); suggest wait for an official request in writing.

But it is a known procedure; my wife had to provide such a letter - but her case involved married/maiden name.