Part of our Paris trip preparations included applying for new passports because our others had expired. What a nightmare that turned out to be!
Firstly, time flew by and I had left the applications later than I planned to which made the whole process a little more traumatic. So, I decided to use the post office's 'check and send' facility. For the sum of £7 per person, the post office staff check over your applications prior to sending them out in priority marked envelopes so they are dealt with more quickly. They claim the process will take approximately 2 weeks but the small print cautions you NOT TO BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY UNTIL YOUR PASSPORT ARRIVES throughout the form.
I had ages....No problem!
They were rejected TWICE!
On my second visit I was reminded that I would need a FULL birth certificate for my eldest Son as this was his first passport...He had previously been on mine.
By now I was waking in the middle of the night with visions of ruining my Mums Birthday simply because we had no passports to leave the country with. I was a wreck!
I managed to obtain his certificate online but at a cost, paying over £30 for a 3 day postage service. I had no choice, time was ticking and new laws meant that from April each of us would have to attend an interview for a passport application, we needed them quick!
On 27th March, they finally accepted the applications on my third visit and for a moment I felt relief but soon realised I would not be able to relax completely until our new passports were in my hand.
On the 3rd April my Mum called me in Heacham to say they had arrived and I was finally able to witness it for myself on my return the next day.
I can't tell you how relieved I was.
The check and send service turned out to be a very reliable choice, they had detected problems with my applications and saved me a lot of time waiting for returns in the post. My passports arrived in under the quoted 2 weeks...Well worth the extra expense!
12 comments:
GREAT journal page....love all the stuff you added to it...and the passport cover is a gorgeous job!
I've been caught out like this too...though I was pleasantly surprised by how efficient the staff in the passport office were when I went there in person rather than do it by mail. Really nice job on the passport cover. I hope you're leaving enough pages for the actual trip! ;)
Thankyou Margaret, I thought it would be fun to include some bits 'n' pieces in my travel journals, expecially receipts... It will be interesting to see how inflation changes over the coming years.
Thanx Dave!
Yes, going to the passport office was an option, there is one just 25 miles from me, but I am so pleased I didn't...Having everything checked at the post office first saved me three round trips!
The journal has 48 pages, so there's more than enough...I'd rather fill it by logging the WHOLE experience than getting home and wishing I had logged some of the anticipation AFTER I've filled it with Disney sketches. ;)
What a beautiful journal page. Your rendering of your passport is stunning (our US passports look nothing like that) and I like that you've included the other bits and pieces associated with the story. Also, I just have to comment on your handwriting. It's so lovely. I bet the teachers loved you in school. Can't wait to see more of your adventure!
Oh my! I could feel the stress you must have been under. So glad to hear everything turned out ok.
I love your passport painting! Awesome!
Hi Anita: Just found your blog. LOVE your sketches!
Thankyou for your kind comments juj. I always thought ALL passports were the same so I learned something from your post.
Thanx Phthaloblu, it was a very stressful time and I am so glad it's over!
Thankyou Brian!
Thankyou Martha and welcome to my blog! Thankyou for taking time to leave your kind words, much appreciated!
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