US embassy London – hints and tips
This past Thursday, we made the trip to the US embassy in London to renew our daughter’s American passport. For children under the age of 16, you must renew in person. We’ve done this trip several times since our eldest was born in 2001. We’ve registered births, applied for passports and social security cards and renewed passports. Each time we seem to have done it differently due to our own home location and the changing rules and regulations of the embassy.
Thanks to some very helpful suggestions on the Facebook group ‘American Ex-pat women in the UK’, we ended up driving into London and parking at Q-Park just by Marble Arch. One of the women from the American Ex-pat FB group told me she had done that with her family and it worked out fine. I was a bit nervous because I had never driven into London before – we’d always taken the train in – but because the embassy changed their appointment times and limited them to early morning appointments, we decided this was the best way to do it. Allow plenty of time because traffic can be slow moving in London. Cost for all day parking is from £30 but you can park for only a few hours too.
Other suggestions were to drive or train it up the day before and stay in a cheap hotel. We did investigate this and there is a Premier Inn in Richmond near the train station, but we still would have had to pay for car parking all day AND we would have had the added cost of the hotel and meals. With a family of 5, eating out can be an expensive affair even at a cheap restaurant! But, that would be a good option for some and there are plenty of Travel Lodges and Premier Inns on the outskirts of London. We found a lovely hotel in Richmond with a pool which we considered. We also debated about going up the morning before and spending the day at Chessington and then staying overnight in Richmond and then training it in the following morning. If we go during the summer holidays next time, we might do this option!
Here are some tips that might help you:
- Book your appointment time in advance because they get booked up quickly – link is below (they are not open on American or British holidays)
- Don’t forget to print out your booked appointment confirmation and bring it with you
- Appointment times are only in the morning before 10am so if you do not live in London, you need to plan your trip carefully
- Arrive at least half an hour before your appointment time because there is a line to get in to the embassy
- They do not allow mobile phones OR car keys into the embassy and you cannot leave them at the entrance **UPDATED** Oct 2014 – They now allow mobile phones. No photos, but you can bring in your phone.
- You can store mobile phones AND car keys at Gould’s Pharmacy just up the road from the embassy (cost is £3) **UPDATED** Oct 2014 – They now have onsite lockers at the embassy
- You can also get passport photos done at this pharmacy as well but I advise you get them done beforehand – less stressful!
- You will need to purchase a post bag and fill in details at the front desk. This costs around £14.00 and you pay by card – no cash is allowed.
- You will also get your ticket at this front desk so don’t go up the stairs first otherwise you’ll just have to go back down to the desk
- Don’t forget snacks and water for the kids (they do sell snacks inside the embassy but there is a limited choice)
- Don’t forget your passports – both parents need to show their passports as proof of identity
- There is a small play area for children which is very helpful
- Don’t forget your child’s birth certificate and their passport and social security card (if it is a renewal)
- American Express and Mastercard are NOT accepted forms of payment, visa debit cards are OK, other forms of payment are on their website-see below
- Age progression photos – do not forget these (details are on the embassy website), you can print out digital ones or use prints. We put ours on 4 sheets of paper, two photos per year with the age and year written underneath
- *NEW* since we went: No bank security keys are allowed in. It’s those Pin generators you use for logging into your online banking that you insert your card into and it generates a pin which you input online when logging in.
- *NEW* if you need to book multiple kids in, then you need to make separate appointments for each. You can book them back to back. At the end of the first booking there is an option to book another appointment. You have to have paperwork for each person so you need to individually register them. In order to even get in line out front, you have to have paperwork with each person’s name. Then, once inside, they call you up and they do them all at the same time.
- *NEW* if driving into London, make sure you purchase your pass for entering the city under the Congestion Charging Order. For more info see https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge We did not know that we had to pre-pay for this scheme and got hit with a £65 penalty fee a few weeks afterwards.
And here is the link to the appointment booking, forms and information for children under 16 http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/under16.html.
There are several ways to do the passport photos. We got them done locally at a photo studio. Only took 10 mins and cost £12 for 4. Thanks to the ladies on the Facebook group, here are some links to DIY passport photos.
And for those getting them done in the US www.mypassportphotos.com $2
And here is a place recommended by a Facebook group for American passport photos www.snappysnaps.co.uk. Check if there is one in your area. Unfortunately, there isn’t one near us.
We were processed quite quickly once we got in and got our ticket. We got there at 7:40am, were in the embassy by 8:25am (only a 30 minute wait outside) and done and out by 10:30am. We then had the rest of the day to spend in London doing the museums and shopping. In the past, we’ve done the Science Museum, Natural History, V&A Museum of Childhood, Tate Modern and this time we went for the British Museum. We only saw a tiny part of it as that was all the children were up for after being up and travelling so early. It’s great though, I just love all the museums in London – they are so well kept and have wonderful activities for the children. We also went to Covent Garden to see all the street performers and the market. It’s so lovely there! It was absolutely freezing cold though so we kept having to stop in at various stores to warm up. We visited Liberty which took my breathe away and had lunch at this fabulous Italian bistro. It was full of Italians which is always a great sign that the food is going to be authentic and delicious, which it was!
We headed back at 3:30 and got stuck in some very slow moving traffic. Took us nearly 4 hours to get back (2 on the way there) so next time we might leave an hour earlier and stop off in Croydon at the enormous TK Maxx and John Lewis at Home stores. There is also a McDonald’s with a large indoor play area which we stopped off at for bathroom breaks. It’s ideal for children after they’ve been cooped up in a car and forced to walk the streets of London for hours on end!
Of course, if you live in London then you already know all this and can get to the embassy by tube or bus! Good luck everyone and if you have any other tips that you’ve discovered, please post here on this blog.
Great post Meg! You reminded me that I’ll need to do my son’s soon as he turns 5 in the summer and his passport expires in the autumn. We’re going to America this summer and I think you need 6 months still valid on your passport at the time of travel?
The last time I went (2 years ago), they were able to keep your car keys and mobile at the entrance. Are they no longer keeping phones?
I have used the paspic.com site and can recommend it. I used it when my son was a baby and was able to order the US and UK sized photos at the same time. I received the photos in about 2 days.
Hi Gail, hope it goes well and you have a great trip! No, they won’t keep car keys and mobiles at the embassy for you. So you have to store them elsewhere. That is one of their new policies. So is the age progression photos so don’t forget those. Yes, I think it is 6 months so you might as well get it done to be on the safe side!
So where are you supposed to keep your car keys when you go by yourself??? Going in 12 hours, so a quick response would be great!! 😉
Hi Denise, you need to store them in a locker before you get to the embassy. I think normal keys are OK, but if your car keys are electronic in that they are used to lock and unlock the doors, then they are not allowed. We always use Gould’s pharmacy 37 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZL to store our camera, phones and keys and it’s £3 per bag to store. This might help http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/prohibited_items_2014.pdf and also this link which has more detail http://www.immihelp.com/visas/us-consulate-embassy-security-measures.html
Hi,
thanks for the pointers. Sounds like things have changed since we were there a few years ago. I have to ask How do we book appointments for multiple kids in the same time block on the embassy website? Just pick a day with several slots open and go through the process for each individual? (hoping all the while that enough are still available when I get around to the 4th appointment?) Any info may help.
Hi Bill, yes great question. We had to do that for two of our children several years ago and we booked two slots back to back. They ended up doing them both together at the Embassy so it really only was one slot, but you have to actually book them individually. If you can’t find two slots back to back or they go by the time you go through the online process, you could try and just book one slot and then email them saying you have two/three things that need to be done all in the one slot. They give you a password when you book so just email them with the password and they will get back to you. They are usually good at emailing back within 24 to 36 hours. I’ll put the word out there and see if anyone else has done this and then will post on here with any more info I find out. I have a couple of things to post actually because a few things have changed since we’ve been. When do you need to book the appointment for?
OK I’ve found out the information, Bill. See the second *NEW* point in the list above. I have also emailed you the info directly. I hope it helps you. And once you’ve been to the Embassy, if there is anything you come across that would be helpful to others, please do let me know and I’ll post it.
HI Meg,
Thanks for all of the above. We are actually planning ahead for travel with 6 of us to CO this summer and have found that the kids passports expire in June. So we will likely go to ye olde embassy by March. I can post here anything unusual or new that I experience. But it seems that you have most everything well covered. (The thing about not being able to bring a phone on this trip without incurring further costs is fairly ridiculous.)
Anyway thanks for quick, full response.
Great! And no problem, am happy to help. Have a wonderful trip.
Hello
great post!
you mentioned there are lockers outside the embassy. where are the lockers because i need to leave my carry on suitcase somewhere. please help!
Hi, I sent you an email about this yesterday. hope you got it! Goulds pharmacy. But, they now have onsite lockers:
You can store mobile phones AND car keys at Gould’s Pharmacy just up the road from the embassy (cost is £3) **UPDATED** Oct 2014 – They now have onsite lockers at the embassy
Hi, I found this really useful. We are going on Monday morning. We’re you allowed to take your pram in or should I use a baby carrier? Also, do you think I can take a nappy bag in or should I just take a couple of nappies and pack of wipes in my handbag?
Hi Emily, I replied directly to you via email. Hope your trip went well 🙂
Hi, I’d be interested in the answer to Emily’s question about prams and diaper bags as we’re going next week with our 4 week old. Thanks!
Hi Rachelle,
yes you can take your pram in and no problem about the nappy bag. They might search it at the entrance, but they will allow it 🙂
I have booked 2 appointments to register a birth abroad one at 8am the other at 9am. Now I will be bringing 2 kids – both under 2.
What can I take into the embassy – its still not clear for parents and what must I leave outside?
Where are these onsite lockers based?
We will be bringing phone, car keys, kids bag (diapers, food) and thats it. We are staying at a hotel so we can leave most of our things there.
Try and leave most things in the hotel room. They won’t accept large bags or laptops. You can bring in stuff for your kids. You won’t need a locker because you have your hotel room to leave stuff in. We’ve never used the onsite lockers so you’ll need to ask them where they are when you enter if you do need one. The ones we used are in Gould’s pharmacy just near the embassy. I wouldn’t bother because it sounds like you won’t need any lockers at all. You can bring in everything in your list. I just found this video! You can bring in keys, phones, e-reader, tablets. NO laptops though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQMJW1AEKcY
Update:
There are 2 queues – one for visas for immigrants – huge queue and the other for US non immigrant services like passports, CRBA etc. Go to the right queue.
We just walked up to the box where the sign was posted ~(non immigrant services)- no one was in front and told the guy of our 2 appointments. He crossed them off and asked for id for everyone. He didn’t look at the id he then asked us to walk to another person 5 yards away who would check our id.
We were asked appointment times again and he checked all our passports before asking us to wait outside the security hut where they do the security checks – only one family/group are allowed in at each time.
Think of it like airline security but Please note no laptops or ipad/tablet keyboards but you can bring food and drinks in. Our pushchairs were swabbed and then we had to take off everything metal and then walk through the metal detector. You don’t need to take your shoes off either.
You then walk around the side of the building and up steps. Please not the security guards cannot help you as that would be distracting them so be warned if you are attending on your own with a pushchair you will need to go up steps.
Once in you are asked to complete a DX package form for return delivery of passports. You then are asked to go up a small flight of steps and into the main waiting hall and queue up at a window (the number is given by the person who you filled out the package form for).
At the window the lady will ask what you are here for and will then take your application forms and documents and then give you a ticket and a form for payment. You then take the payment form to another window where the person will take payment. They accept VISA and Mastercard debit and credit cards. But make sure you have more than one form of payment. My Credit card was declined due to the bank thinking it was a fraudulent transaction but I handed over a different card and that was ok.
You will then wait until you are called. Like a GP waiting room there is a screen showing who is being called. Just keep an eye out for it.
The waiting room itself has a nice kids playing area and there is a tea/coffee machine as well as a vending machine. There are toilets and baby changing facilities down 2 flights of steps and you can go at anytime.
Once you are called back they will either tell you of the outcome or ask for clarification. In our case it was approved. So it was a nice and easy experience, there really is nothing to worry about.
You can bring in your own bags – but you should be sensible. We had a large baby bag and one small rucksack. If you have justifiable things in your bag then the size should not matter. You can bring in drinks, food, mobile phones, tablets, no laptops or tablet keyboards, car keys, not sure about those bank keyfobs but if you don’t need it during the day then dont bring it. Our baby bag was stuffed full of nappies, baby changing stuff etc.
Just don’t bring more than you need and be sensible. We got to the embassy at 7.45am and we were out by 10.45/11 and that’s after spending 20 minutes getting the kids ready/ changing nappies after we had had the applications approved.
Thank you for your helpful comment. Last time we were there the kids play area was overrun with kids throwing the soft play equipment everywhere. Smaller kids were being terrorized! We stayed clear of it as the parents were not doing anything to stop it. Shame when you’re stuck in one place and can’t leave until you’re done. We brought books to read while we waited. Also, bear in mind that no cash is accepted for the DX package delivery of the passports.
Here’s another passport photo app. It’s $2 in the US https://www.mypassportphotos.com/ . Could you add it to the list?
That’s great, thank you!
Just to update you all. 🙂 Went today to get my passport renewed. Huge set of keys in my bag, including car keys with blipper, house keys, etc. Security* didn’t care. They looked at my tablet to make sure it didn’t have a keyboard. That was it. No-one in US Citizen queue and I was through security in 10 mins and back out again after 45 mins. My bag was 10cm x 30cm x 20cm. Normal small laptop bag. But NO LAPTOP as it has a keyboard. *shrugs*
*Mind you, Group 4 rent-a-bod. What can you do?
Thanks for the update!
Hi, thanks so much for this helpful blog. I have two questions, after the appointment did the Embassy keep your original certificates and passports, or did they keep the photocopies and give you the originals back? Also, how many weeks did it take to receive the passports? We’re hoping to go to the States for Xmas and have an appointment at the end of this month.
Thanks
They gave all originals back so I suppose they made copies there. But you must take the originals to present to them. Every time we’ve gone, the passports only took up to 3 weeks to arrive. You need to mention that during your appointment (that you’re planning a trip at Xmas) in case they want to recommend fast tracking, and I also think there is a place on the form for you to fill in your trip dates. Good luck and have a wonderful trip back to the States!
Thanks so much for your quick reply! Did they give originals back and did it only take 3 weeks when getting the CRBA as well? It will be our daughter’s first passport. Will definitely inquire about fast-tracking when there.