Angel Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Can't believe how much it is to renew a passport compared to the U.K. I've just filled in my form today and it's 185.00€ for an adult (inc p&p)! And 127.00€ for a child! Unfortunately I have to renew 5 passports! 2 adults and three children... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pouyade Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Will be interested to see what the service is like, too.In UK, on the Monday before Christmas, I sent off 2 passport applications for renewals. I sent then SD so would have arrived on the Tuesday, 20 Dec. They were each successfully issued, one arriving back on the Thursday 22 Dec, the second a week later.I call that excellent service!Pouyade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 Well I'm sending mine off tomorrow so I will let you know what the service is like.Hope it's as quick and simple as yours.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Last time I did it in France, back in 2003, the passport was lost in the post.I had to fax a declaration to say I hadn't received it, after a long phone call.They did provide a replacement just in time for my trip though.Official documents sent by non registered post here have gone missing on three different occasions in the last few years.I believe this is more a reflection on La Poste which is quite dreadful, than on the sending authority, but I wish they would use registered post as a matter if course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 There has been a huge difference in price, for quite a number of years as the Foreign Office took over from the Home Office. Something which could add to the costs is that it seems that a company has been brought in to take over the enquiries etc and they are charging a lot when calling the consulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Yes your right, there has been a big difference in price for a number of years, but because the Euro and pound are near enough the same value it really is a big difference, if you get my meaning!!Also I had to ring up as I was unsure of something and wanted to double check my inquiry. You have to call a center called "Careline", and you have to pay for it!!! I was only on the phone for about 3 minutes and a couple of days later when I checked my bank account they had taken out 7.86€!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I've got mine ready to go, just waiting for my money to come through to pay mandat cash at post office. Apparently the new passport is now printed and sent from the UK on reading their website for downloading the forms. All a big ripoff really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardener Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 It is expensive, but I bet you will be impressed with the service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 I hope so.........I sent it off this morning so will let everyone know how long it took when I receive it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racerbear02 Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I had to renew ours recentlyThe service was very good, but there is NO justification whatsoever for the level of the charges.Next time I will do them when I am in UK for a period with a friends address for them to be posted to.When I challenged the embassy in Paris, I was told "well someone has to pay for us to be here to support you" [:@] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 Charming!When I first moved to France (11 years ago), the British Embassy in Paris were really helpful. They just don't seem to want to know now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pommier Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Is there any way of renewing in the UK without going there? I was thinking of sending the applications and old passports to be returned to my daughter's address, then she could bring them when she visits. Would that work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 [quote user="Racerbear02"]When I challenged the embassy in Paris, I was told "well someone has to pay for us to be here to support you" [:@][/quote]You just can't get the staff these days. [:@] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Just to add, you can renew a passport six months (or is it nine) ahead so you could coincide with a visit to see the rellies.[8-|] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 6, 2012 Author Share Posted January 6, 2012 [quote user="Pommier"]Is there any way of renewing in the UK without going there? I was thinking of sending the applications and old passports to be returned to my daughter's address, then she could bring them when she visits. Would that work?[/quote]Now there's a thought! I wonder if it's possible too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krusty Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 [quote user="Pommier"]Is there any way of renewing in the UK without going there? I was thinking of sending the applications and old passports to be returned to my daughter's address, then she could bring them when she visits. Would that work?[/quote]Some people do it and get away with it , I would advise do not do it."Delivery of your passport Your new passport will be delivered by Secure Delivery. Secure Delivery couriers routinely deliver between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Saturday. In most cases, the courier will: •take a photo of the property where the passport was delivered •record the address and delivery time and date In certain postcode areas you’ll need to sign for your passport. The delivery company will leave a calling card if you’re not home. You can arrange to collect your passport from the courier between Monday and Friday. Or, you can request that your passport is redelivered at a certain time (Monday to Saturday). You’ll have to pay an additional mileage-based charge for this, so the cost will depend on where you live. Through the courier, you can also arrange to collect your passport from a Regional Passport Office, during its opening hours, from Monday to Saturday. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 My son's was delivered by courrier and no calling card, they just dropped it through the letter box, no signature, but we had been warned that that is what could happen by the passport clerk in Durham. As he needed it urgently, that suited us.I think that the thing I object to most is those calls costing so much now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I too have just sent off my passport for renewal - using the Paris "route" as I could see no possibility of being in the UK before it was due for renewal in 6 weeks time. I sent if off last Monday recommandé avec accuse de reception etc ... again it will be interesting to see how long it takes. Still waiting for ack of receipt. It is expensive - but I won't mind that so much if it works and comes quickly - though I suspect it won't - but the very complicated procedure you have to follow at the moment until the new system is completely in place is really a joke. I had to spend ages working out from different websites just what I had to do. I do think they could make it easier all round esp for what is a straight forward renewal of a passport I've held for about 40 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 It's nice to know that I wasn't the only one who found their website not the easiest to retrieve information! I don't know about anybody else but I found their photo information complicated..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 [quote user="Angel"]It's nice to know that I wasn't the only one who found their website not the easiest to retrieve information! I don't know about anybody else but I found their photo information complicated.....[/quote]Yes and it hasn't got the excuse that it is French - as they are always so badly designed. I spent my professional life finding information, which is what annoyed me even more. It really does NOT have to be THAT complicated!!!Good luck to us both, Angel, lets us hope we both get out new passports back soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Post just arrived - my AR has been returned, so at least I know the passport arrived at the Embassy - one less worry. Now to wait for them to do their stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Angel and/or JudithCan you please tell me what other documents you need to send in addition to the old passport?I'm tossing up whether to go for a short stay in the UK and get it done as well as my teeth, glasses, etc (before I get jumped on, I fully expect to pay for the glasses and teeth; well, maybe one tooth).Hope I don't need anyone to certify likeness of the new photos! I mean, I reckon that I look better with passing age .......[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Hi sweet 17,I filled in a C1 form. Had two photo's done (The machine at Le'Clerc. Cost 4.00€ for 4 photo's) I haven't dramatically changed since last passport so no one (As far as I know!) had to certify the likeness. Printed off the debit/credit card payment form and filled that out and put everything into an envelope and sent it off with my old passport. From what I read on their web site it was not necessary to send any other documents. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Sweet, I've pm'd you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 [quote user="sweet 17"]Angel and/or JudithCan you please tell me what other documents you need to send in addition to the old passport?Hope I don't need anyone to certify likeness of the new photos! I mean, I reckon that I look better with passing age .......[:D] [/quote]I sent photos which had been taken 2 years ago (so much for within a month) and asked an English friend here who was/ is a teacher to countersign. She was happy that I still looked like my photos (once I had removed my glasses!!). I sent no other paperwork other than the form which I completed electronically and then printed off, the photos, countersigned, and the credit card payment slip. We shall see what transpires.Incidentally, I prefer my younger self .... it looks more like me with specs and a "slight" smile. This time I have no glasses (as recommended - how do you see to put the money in the machine I wonder??) and my hair was not so nicely done!!! I also look very serious as without glasses I frown and I tried not to smile, as per instructions!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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