Passport Trouble. Will it effect my immigration?

[AFQuaid 18]

Hey Everyone,

Long time no see. Don't get online much anymore. Married life is financially tough with the struggling US economy as many of you are aware.

Anyway here is my situation. I have my two year conditional greencard which will be up this coming September. My UK Passport expires March 23th and I'm going to be cutting it fine turning in the renewal papers for it. I've been reading and reading online that it is strongly advised that you submit your UK Passport Renewal application 4-6 weeks in advance yet some sites say it may only take 10 days. The reason I'm cutting it close turning the papers in is I couldn't find somebody who I knew who met the damn qualifications according to the application who has known me for approx 2 years. It has been a nightmare! Now that I have FINALLY convinced my doctor that he won't get into trouble for signing (it's the countersignature I need) an 'official BRITISH document'. Say the word BRITISH document every offical in this city seems to run a mile! Anyway the fastest way I'm able to get this particular doctor to sign it is to mail it to them which by the time it gets there, gets on his desk and gets sent back I say at least a week before it gets back to me and thats with me phoning making sure it's made it every step of the way.

IF by chance, which is very likely to happen that I do not recieve my renewed passport by March 23rd is anything legally going to happen to me despite the fact I do have a two year conditional green card in hand that does not expire until September? I have no idea if not having a passport for even one day will affect me immigration wise. No I have not begun to file the lifting of conditions yet, I plan to do that exactly 3 months before that expires per advise of the visajourney guide.

HELP!

Fiona

[alexpapa 4]

Hey Everyone,

Long time no see. Don't get online much anymore. Married life is financially tough with the struggling US economy as many of you are aware.

Anyway here is my situation. I have my two year conditional greencard which will be up this coming September. My UK Passport expires March 23th and I'm going to be cutting it fine turning in the renewal papers for it. I've been reading and reading online that it is strongly advised that you submit your UK Passport Renewal application 4-6 weeks in advance yet some sites say it may only take 10 days. The reason I'm cutting it close turning the papers in is I couldn't find somebody who I knew who met the damn qualifications according to the application who has known me for approx 2 years. It has been a nightmare! Now that I have FINALLY convinced my doctor that he won't get into trouble for signing (it's the countersignature I need) an 'official BRITISH document'. Say the word BRITISH document every offical in this city seems to run a mile! Anyway the fastest way I'm able to get this particular doctor to sign it is to mail it to them which by the time it gets there, gets on his desk and gets sent back I say at least a week before it gets back to me and thats with me phoning making sure it's made it every step of the way.

IF by chance, which is very likely to happen that I do not recieve my renewed passport by March 23rd is anything legally going to happen to me despite the fact I do have a two year conditional green card in hand that does not expire until September? I have no idea if not having a passport for even one day will affect me immigration wise. No I have not begun to file the lifting of conditions yet, I plan to do that exactly 3 months before that expires per advise of the visajourney guide.

HELP!

Fiona

Fiona, I'm not sure about the immigration side of it, but I have good news for renewing the British passport.

Firstly, I assume you are sending the forms to Washington DC. Secondly, the countersignature is an interesting one, I spent a lot of time (and money) by calling the embassy to get a straight answer. Basically, you can get anyone to sign the document as long as you write a short note explaining who they are - as long as they know you of course, but your doctor should still do.

The best news of all is that (and this is no exaggeration), it took a total of 8 days for me to get my new passport. That's from the time I dropped off the package to the day I got it back from them. They are EXTREMELY efficient.

[pushbrk 12,883]

Hey Everyone,

Long time no see. Don't get online much anymore. Married life is financially tough with the struggling US economy as many of you are aware.

Anyway here is my situation. I have my two year conditional greencard which will be up this coming September. My UK Passport expires March 23th and I'm going to be cutting it fine turning in the renewal papers for it. I've been reading and reading online that it is strongly advised that you submit your UK Passport Renewal application 4-6 weeks in advance yet some sites say it may only take 10 days. The reason I'm cutting it close turning the papers in is I couldn't find somebody who I knew who met the damn qualifications according to the application who has known me for approx 2 years. It has been a nightmare! Now that I have FINALLY convinced my doctor that he won't get into trouble for signing (it's the countersignature I need) an 'official BRITISH document'. Say the word BRITISH document every offical in this city seems to run a mile! Anyway the fastest way I'm able to get this particular doctor to sign it is to mail it to them which by the time it gets there, gets on his desk and gets sent back I say at least a week before it gets back to me and thats with me phoning making sure it's made it every step of the way.

IF by chance, which is very likely to happen that I do not recieve my renewed passport by March 23rd is anything legally going to happen to me despite the fact I do have a two year conditional green card in hand that does not expire until September? I have no idea if not having a passport for even one day will affect me immigration wise. No I have not begun to file the lifting of conditions yet, I plan to do that exactly 3 months before that expires per advise of the visajourney guide.

HELP!

Fiona

Fiona, I'm not sure about the immigration side of it, but I have good news for renewing the British passport.

Firstly, I assume you are sending the forms to Washington DC. Secondly, the countersignature is an interesting one, I spent a lot of time (and money) by calling the embassy to get a straight answer. Basically, you can get anyone to sign the document as long as you write a short note explaining who they are - as long as they know you of course, but your doctor should still do.

The best news of all is that (and this is no exaggeration), it took a total of 8 days for me to get my new passport. That's from the time I dropped off the package to the day I got it back from them. They are EXTREMELY efficient.

Even better news is that you really only need a passport for international travel. Being without one is not a problem unless you need to cross a border. Just what is it you're worrried about in this regard?

[AFQuaid 18]

Thank you

I was worried it'd be a red flag on my file or something of the sorts if homeland security/related found out I'd be without any valid passport for a few days or however long it took me.

I mailed the application to the doctor who is willing today

Thanks again you two really destressed me.

Fiona

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Thank you

I was worried it'd be a red flag on my file or something of the sorts if homeland security/related found out I'd be without any valid passport for a few days or however long it took me.

I mailed the application to the doctor who is willing today

Thanks again you two really destressed me.

Fiona

You do not need to maintain a valid UK passport, as already said you only need it for international travel. As for the photo signing, I can confirm that it can be anyone who counter signs, My late wife called the UK Embassy passport section on a very expensive call to ask about just that. She was told that as long as the person was US citizen and knew you in a professional capacity that it would be ok. We had our lawyer sign. The new passport arrived within 8 days along with the old one, they had cut the corner off and stamped a big red CANCELLED stamp on the page with all her info.