Supporting documents confirmation by HMPO

[manymore]

Hi everyone,

Several days ago, I sent the supporting documents for the first passport after naturalization, and they were delivered the next day (I can see in the tracker that it was signed by HMPO). I haven't received confirmation from the HMPO, so I contacted them via webchat. After some checking, the agents said, "I cannot find the documents on your application or by searching the tracking number". She then escalated the case to the delivery case.

Is that a standard thing that they don't see it until it's checked in the system? I saw that many people prompted the HMPO via the webchat to get the confirmation, but I'm a bit freaked out; she said it's not seen anywhere, so not sure whether the escalation is what other people got as well.

Thank you!

[alterhase58]

Registering receipt of documents can take a few days or even a week - HMPO receive loads of applications every day/week so it won't be instant on their signing receipt from Royal Mail (by the bag full!). Let us know how it turns out.

[manymore]

I know they have tons of docs arriving every day, but my perception on the basis of other posts was that they at least keep track of them (1st step) before they open the envelope, and it's reflected in the system (2nd step). So with the web nudge, they could at least confirm the 1st step (that's agent's referral to "I can see it with the tracking number)". Curious what people got in reply when they nudger over the web chat?

[lolo2]

When did you submit your application?

Do you know if your referee was contacted to confirm your identity?

The webchat and the phone helpline are outsourced, they are not Home Office staff and the information they can access or provide is very limited.

[manymore]

Submitted on the 8th of Feb, and the referee has already submitted their info the same day. So they have everything, and now it's a question of them acknowledging the receipt of documents, which is where the question is coming from

[CR001]

Did you post your documents on the 8th as well or on monday the 9th?

It hasn't even been a week yet.

Be patient. It takes time, usually week or just over, from the mail room to the logging of documents etc!

[manymore]

Quick update. They eventually logged in the docs after I submitted a complaint (a week since the application). Then they took two weeks, and I got a message/email saying they tried to contact me but failed (that's not true) and asking me to call back. The support agent said they wanted to know whether I'm okay with my passport being issued with an observation of the slight name difference in my another passport, and asked me to submit a written statement of what I want to do. I first asked over the phone to have a note added to my file, and then sent a written statement saying, "If possible, please issue without an observation because of X reason, and if not sufficient ground, then issue with the observation."

So it's been almost a month since the application, 3 weeks since they received the docs, and 1 week since they received the statement. Anything that can move the needle to get my passport ASAP? It's ridiculous. Travelling is a big part of what I do for work, and it's started impacting me very negatively, so I can't just wait without any travel document (they obviously still hold my other passport). Thank you, everyone, for your advice!

[alterhase58]

I think, when phoning you need to insist on speaking to a supervisor/decision maker directly.
Also raise a complaint online if no use. Certainly impress on them that you are impacted seriously.
Refer to link: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... -procedure

[lolo2]

The support agent said they wanted to know whether I'm okay with my passport being issued with an observation of the slight name difference in my another passport, and asked me to submit a written statement of what I want to do. I first asked over the phone to have a note added to my file, and then sent a written statement saying, "If possible, please issue without an observation because of X reason, and if not sufficient ground, then issue with the observation."

This is likely the reason of the delayed processing of your first British passport after naturalisation.

Many users have reported how problematic is when the name on the current passport(s) is different than in the application.

You can ask for a timeframe for this to be resolved and highlight the return of your current passport, but the delay is due to discrepancies on your documents and all these confirmations HMPO have been requesting.

[manymore]

Yes, I totally understand it! But I have never been contacted by the case manager, and support agents give a generic "application is going through the standard checks". The difference is very minor due to transliteration (and my application/certificate is in the same spelling of the main passport I've always used in the UK). They received my written statement on what I'd like to do over a week ago. Reading through their procedures, it should be pretty straightforward (I understand that maybe they have a different view ). I'm jsut trying to understand what can I do to accelerate it

Returning my other pasposrt doesn't help as I can't technically travel with it anymore...

[lolo2]

Usually there is very little the applicants can do to speed up these processes but to keep asking for updates.

In reality, we cannot say when an application is 'straightforward' or not, it depends on so many factors outside our control most of the time. Your passport application actually is an example of the opposite definition, it was not 'straightforward' from the beginning. It doesn't matter how small the difference in the name on the passport is, it will cause problems. On this forum we always advise to fix these issues before applying for a first British passport.

It doesn't matter your previous immigration applications proceeded with no issues. Naturalisation or a passport application are completely different processes with different rules.