Getting a British Passport

[cuddlycat]

Do I need to become a British Citzen to get a British passport? I have been married to a British man for 7 years now, but never took out a British passport, but now since my passposrt has expired I thought I might as well apply for a British one while I'm at it but I have no idea on how to go about it, and the Home office site is not much help and you can speak to anybody. It's really frustrating.

[j2buttonsw]

http://www.gherson.com/news.php3?article=offshore

[Gef]

I've had a glance at the site suggested by j2 but it didn't seem very helpful. Have a look at http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/_6_eligibility/6_who_is.asp
it at least gives a phone number if you can't find what you are looking for. Hope this helps.

[smorodina]

Don't even think about phoning! If you do get through, you'll be talking to the most rude, arrogant, unhelpful people who ever manned a 'helpline'. I assume you are here now with indefinite leave to remain. You can now apply for naturalisation, which will entitle you to apply for British passport. If you think getting information was frustrating, wait until you actually apply. You will be charged �214 for the 'service', for which you will be left in a queue for months (my spouse has been waiting for over a year now and even a letter from our MP has yet to yield results), you letters will be ignored and any phone enquiries will be treated with contempt. And at the end of it all, you will now have to undergo Blunkett's new pathetic and insulting 'citizenship ceremony'. Application forms and other details on this page: http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pagei
d=16

[vittoria]

I became a British citizen through naturalisation, following my marriage to a Briton, in 1998. (I am originally Italian). I can't remember the details but I remember it was pretty straightforward. I think I got a form from the Home Office in Croydon, sent it in with a cheque, and I received a certificate of naturalisation after a few weeks. Once I had that, I got a passport application form from the Post Office and sent that off. I am sorry they are not being very helpful (or worse from what I have read). I wish you better luck.