If your passport runs out prior to Christmas you are strongly advised to allow at least 6-8 weeks (30-40 working days) from the date of your application reaching the British Consulate at Düsseldorf.  This is not only because of the predictable Christmas rush for passport renewals, but also because the Consulate is having a new system installed in November which may inevitably delay passport production for a short period.

Therefore, the important message is that if your passport in due to run out prior to Christmas, and you intend to travel over the stand-down period, then you should be applying NOW to renew it to avoid disappointment!

The British Consulate’s website address is: http://ukingermany.fco.gov.uk/en.  This gives very useful advice on passport applications, including new payment options (Credit Card payments now accepted with effect from 1 Oct 08).

All passport applications for Service personnel and their dependants must be processed through their respective Welfare or Admin Offices, not direct to the Consulate.  G1 Comp at HQ UKSC(G) can provide assistance with urgent passport requests on welfare or compassionate grounds.