Changes When Applying For British Passport

The British Government is making changes to the passport service for British nationals living overseas and from August 12, all applications for UK passports should be sent to Durham in England, not to Washington DC.

From that date passport renewal applications will also need to be accompanied by the passport being replaced. All documentation should be sent by secure courier to:

• Her Majesty’s Passport Office
• OVS-D
• Millburngate House
• Millburngate
• Durham
• DH97 1PA

Previously, during the hurricane season, applicants were able to send a copy of their passport with their renewal application rather than the original. The UK Passport Office is stopping this practice because of the risk of fraud. Original passports will need to be submitted with passport applications all year round.

On 12 August the application process will be centralised and British Citizens in Bermuda will need to submit their passport application to Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the UK. There should be no change in processing times.

British Overseas Territory Citizen [BOTC] passport holders should continue to submit their passport applications and renewals for BOTC passports through the Bermuda Department of Immigration.

These important changes follow a review by the UK National Audit Office. They are designed to provide greater security and consistency in decision making. All British passports have enhanced sophisticated security features designed to reduce the likelihood of identity theft and passport fraud.

Passports can be renewed up to 9 months ahead of the expiry date with no loss of validity, meaning a new passport can be valid for 10 years and 9 months. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and submit their applications in good time. All the information, including guidance, fees and the application form required to make an application for a British Passport can be found here.

#BermudaImmigration #BermudaPolitics #UnitedKingdom

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