Featured Case Study: Renewal of British Overseas Citizen (BOC) Passport Issued in 1997
Type: Renewal of British Overseas Citizen Passport
Born: India
Lives: United States
Applicant Background
The applicant, Priya Sharma (name changed for privacy), was born in India to parents who were already holders of British Overseas Citizen (BOC) passports. This entitled her to a British passport at birth. Throughout her life, she has only ever held British passports. However, due to historical naming customs and the political origin of BOC status, her renewal case required extensive documentation and clarification.
Her parents were granted British Overseas Citizenship following political changes affecting British nationals abroad. Generational naming customs further complicated matters – in her family, daughters traditionally used their father’s first name as a middle name, later replaced by their husband’s first name after marriage. This created subtle inconsistencies across family documents.
Supporting Family Background
Although the applicant retained her maternal grandfather’s expired passport, most other ancestral documents had not been preserved, as it was not common practice in early 20th-century India to retain expired passports.
- Maternal Grandmother: Leela R. Sharma – Born 23 May 1918 in Virpur, Gujarat, India
- Maternal Grandfather: Raman G. Sharma – Born 20 October 1910 in Karamsad, Gujarat, India
- Paternal Grandfather: Babulal M. Sharma – Born 20 October 1910 in Bhadran, Gujarat, India
- Paternal Grandmother: Kamla J. Sharma – Born 12 April 1916 in Gada, Gujarat, India
Document Checklist
The applicant submitted a full set of original and supporting documents to confirm her identity, lineage, and residence:
- Original old British passport (not a photocopy)
- Full-colour photocopy of valid USA passport (every page)
- Full-colour photocopy of USA driver’s license (both sides)
- Original letter of employment (annotated with case reference)
- Original water bill (annotated with case reference)
- Original notarised statutory declaration
- Original birth certificate (applicant)
- Original birth certificates (mother and father)
- Original marriage certificate (parents)
HM Passport Office Requests
On 22 May 2025, HMPO requested further documentation, specifically:
- Father’s original birth certificate
- Proof of father’s nationality (passport, registration, or naturalisation certificate)
The applicant initially submitted a copy of her father’s birth certificate, later replaced by the original located by her sister. Despite this, HMPO requested further genealogical verification and evidence of historical travel to the United States.
Additional Correspondence
- 30 May 2025: Copy of father’s birth certificate identified as insufficient
- 2 June 2025: Applicant located original certificate via family in India
- 16 June 2025: Original documents couriered to HMPO
- 9 July 2025: HMPO requested additional family background and travel details
- 16 July 2025: Statutory Declaration prepared and notarised confirming continuous British passport use since birth
- 28 July 2025: Couriered declaration and supporting evidence to HMPO
- 1 August 2025: Examiner requested further family photos, school, and medical records
Customer Decision
After multiple documentation requests, the applicant expressed frustration over recurring courier costs and delays. On 4 August 2025, she requested to withdraw her application, citing repeated evidence demands despite full cooperation. However, following a final review, HMPO approved the passport renewal on 20 August 2025.
Application Timeline
- Application Submitted: 21 April 2025
- Identity Confirmation: 21 April 2025
- DHL Collection: 2 May 2025
- HMPO Received Documents: 15 May 2025
- HMPO Requested More Docs: 22 May 2025
- Additional Docs Sent: 16 June 2025
- Statutory Declaration Sent: 16 July 2025
- HMPO Request for Further Evidence: 1 August 2025
- Application Approved: 20 August 2025
Status
Application Approved – August 2025
Consultant’s Note
Renewals involving British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status can be complex due to historic nationality classifications and limited record-keeping in former British territories. Applicants often need to provide multi-generational documentation, even when continuous British passport ownership can be demonstrated. Our consultants specialise in presenting lineage and identity evidence clearly to satisfy HM Passport Office’s requirements, ensuring rightful approvals even in historically sensitive cases.
