Posts by babetski

babetski

12 Sep 2024

UK, Ireland / UK passport renewal impossible due to out of date Polish passport [5]

I regret saying I had an expired Polish passport! I shouldn't have complicated matters. But I travel a lot with my work and this level of bureaucracy is mind-blowing. It's obvious there is nothing untoward. And trying to fill in a 12-page form for the Polish authorities with all the info I already gave them 30 years ago but now has gone awol (Mum has dementia and nobody can find the papers any longer). Systems work when you're on a standard conveyor belt. Whenever you step outside the mainstream nobody can help. Nuts.

babetski

12 Sep 2024

UK, Ireland / UK passport renewal impossible due to out of date Polish passport [5]

This must have happened to someone else but it's a truly insane situation.
I recently applied to renew my British Passport (born here with Polish parents). I sent a copy of my expired Polish passport (over 10 years expired that took me a LOT of hard work to obtain paperwork etc). The Polish passport was obtained in the 90's and in my married name. I divorced 20 years ago reverting
to my Polish maiden name.
Have always lived in the UK.
UK passport office says they cannot issue new UK passport until Polish passport updated to maiden name. Polish Consulate tells me as passport expired over 10 years ago I need to go through a different (lengthy) process that can take up to 12 months and the form asks for stuff I just don't have any more - mother sadly has dementia and doesn't know where she put any of the papers.
It's impossible to have neither passport for up to 12 months! Work will be unsustainable. Has someone had this weird set of circumstances? Am thinking maybe to give up my Polish passport/citizenship or will lose my job. Unbelievable. Was the world always this crazy??