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Original poster

Sending old passport back

27 replies

MummyInTheNecropolis · 19/03/2023 17:44

I’ve just renewed my passport online, so I need to send my old passport back to them. I will do this recorded delivery tomorrow, I just wondered if I need to put anything in with it, like a note with my renewal number on it or something? Or do I just send it on it’s own? The website didn’t say.

OP posts:
Xrays · 19/03/2023 17:45

We just put it in the envelope and wrote the reference number from the email on the top before the address. All fine and came back to us afterwards no issues.

WeAreTheHeroes · 19/03/2023 17:46

You put the reference number on the envelope. That's all you need to do.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 19/03/2023 17:48

The reference is In the address. I’ve personally only every sent them back with a first class stamp on them, it’s being cancelled anyway so no real need to protect it by sending it recorded.

PercyMcPigface · 19/03/2023 17:48

Same as Xrays. I didn't use recorded delivery as in a previous job I had to send things to HMRC, and recorded delivery was actually worse because it meant the postman actually had to deliver things to someone rather than just sticking it in the post. I've had to send 4 things to the passport office in the past month, and just used normal post every time, and it's been just fine

EarlofShrewsbury · 19/03/2023 17:51

The reference number is in the address they give you.

The PEX line of the address

Original poster
MummyInTheNecropolis · 19/03/2023 19:00

Fab, thank you all.

OP posts:
Beebumble2 · 19/03/2023 19:07

I sent mine special tracked next day delivery. A few of pounds more, but guaranteed that they got it.

Zingy123 · 19/03/2023 19:26

Just put the PEX number on the envelope. No need to send it recorded. I always send by ordinary second class. They have always got there.

Mj1892 · 07/10/2023 16:34

Do you need to include a stamped self addressed envelope? Thanks

Rattysparklebum · 07/10/2023 16:48

What do you all do with your expired passports, I’ve got a pile of them but not sure why I’m meant to keep them, if we didn’t need them why do the passport office send them back rather than destroying them?

Xrays · 07/10/2023 18:06

Rattysparklebum · 07/10/2023 16:48

What do you all do with your expired passports, I’ve got a pile of them but not sure why I’m meant to keep them, if we didn’t need them why do the passport office send them back rather than destroying them?

You keep them and then in years to come you laugh about the photos with your children. 😁

Mj1892 · 08/10/2023 11:30

Did you include a stamped self addressed envelope?

dementedpixie · 08/10/2023 11:47

Mj1892 · 08/10/2023 11:30

Did you include a stamped self addressed envelope?

No you don't need to send a self addressed envelope with the passport

partypant · 08/10/2023 12:57

The reference is the passport number. They don't need anything else. It's a passport. It has all your details

dementedpixie · 08/10/2023 13:22

The reference is part of the address. Think it starts with PEX.

Kelsde · 14/01/2024 20:33

Hi I'm expecting to go to the post office tomorrow to send my old passport back to HM passport office as I renewed my passport online. im just not sure on what to ask at the post office to send it off

dementedpixie · 14/01/2024 21:45

I just put a stamp on mine and put it in the post box. Or you can get a faster or tracked method if you go to the post office e.g. 1st class signed for or special delivery, etc

Thethingswedoforlove · 14/01/2024 22:30

Just a cautionary tale- I popped mine back with just a stamp on and it went missing and it was a complete and utter nightmare trying to get it sorted as they won’t start processing the new one without it. Got it sorted in the end but I’m so glad i left so many months before I was travelling as I needed all of them…

DuckBushCityLimit · 14/01/2024 23:14

I send them by Special Delivery now because we had two go missing on the way to the passport office, on two different occasions. The envelopes got there but the passports didn't. Yes, they were going to be cancelled anyway, but it held the whole process up and I didn't really like the fact that my DCs' details were floating around out there somewhere unknown.

Kelsde · 15/01/2024 07:00

Is 1st class stamp safe to send old passport back

Clearinguptheclutter · 16/01/2024 21:29

Kelsde · 15/01/2024 07:00

Is 1st class stamp safe to send old passport back

It’s what I sent mine with yesterday so I hope so !

DevonMum123 · 15/02/2024 15:05

Hi
I have just done renewal for kids passport online but t=nowhere did it give me the address to send it to?
I have PEX number but no address, I'm confused.

Can anyone please advise? Feel like I'm missing information.

Edit! Just got second email hour later with the address lol.

Ouchmyarse · 15/02/2024 15:09

Xrays · 07/10/2023 18:06

You keep them and then in years to come you laugh about the photos with your children. 😁

Show quote history

I’ve kept all mine and my children’s.

My dad just died and I found all his and my mums who died years ago. We all had a good chuckle about the photos in the ones from the 70s/80s!

Marylou62 · 15/02/2024 15:10

Rattysparklebum · 07/10/2023 16:48

What do you all do with your expired passports, I’ve got a pile of them but not sure why I’m meant to keep them, if we didn’t need them why do the passport office send them back rather than destroying them?

You get to look at and remember all the visas and stamps from the places you've been to!
I spent a year in South America and have half a passport full of stamps...

CatsLikeBoxes · 15/02/2024 15:10

You should have got an email at the end with the address? Or it would come up at the end of the application. And we got reminder texts with the address to send it to. It's really quick at the moment - posted old one Tuesday, received new one on Saturday!