Passport Applications – The Identity and Passport Service
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Home Office on 1st April 2006. The Agency builds on the strong foundations of the UK Passport Service to provide passport services and in the future, as part of the National Identity Scheme, ID cards for British and Irish nationals and foreign nationals resident in the UK.
The passport is a uniquely important document. It provides universally acceptable evidence of a person’s nationality. Holding a passport allows UK citizens to exercise one of their fundamental rights: to leave and re-enter the country. The development of the National Identity Scheme builds on the changes being made to passports to provide a secure and straightforward way to safeguard personal identities from misuse. The IPS works closely with the Border and Immigration Agency, UK visas and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to deliver consistent service standards for identity documents across these organisations. The Agency has a key role in transforming the way government interacts with UK citizens and businesses by developing common standards in identity management.
Times for applications to be processed vary depending on which service you choose. First-time adult passport applicants will require an interview at a passport office as part of your application process. Therefore the premium service offered would not be an option for you [ie: fast track service or same day premium service].
The IPS aims to return postal applications within three weeks of receiving them [again this service is no longer available to first-time adult applicants as an interview is required as part of the application process. The IPS recommends you allow six weeks for the completion of your passport].
Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, providing immediate legal assistance during proceedings. Please contact the Head of the Immigration Department Richard Harold on 020 7388 8333 or email harroldr@tuckerssolicitors.com