Hello

My wife is reaching her 3 years in the UK and we want to get the forms submitted on that day we also want to get the Brit passport sorted ASAP. We plan on leaving the UK poste haste as soon as she has her passport. Any ideas how long the process is and is there any 'express service'?

Thanks all.

Takes as long as it takes.

First her citizenship application has to be processed. If approved she then has to attend a citizenship ceremony. After the ceremony she can apply for her passport.

As far as I'm aware there is no 'express service' for her nationality application. The UKBA advise that applications can take up to six months; although anecdotal evidence suggests three months is more usual. You may want to consider her applying through the nationality checking service, if available in your area, as this will ensure the application is complete before sending off plus it means she can retain all her documents. See Ways to apply for British citizenship or nationality.

Citizenship ceremonies are usually held monthly, so if she just misses one she may have to wait a month for the next one. See Citizenship ceremonies.

Adults applying for their first British passport have to be interviewed to confirm their identity, so they cannot use the fast track or premium service. This means it can take up to six weeks from submitting the application to receiving the passport. See Applying for your first adult passport.

Based on all of that I reckon you should allow 8 to 9 months from first submitting her naturalisation application to receiving her first British passport. Hopefully it wont be as long as this, but best to be prepared for a wait.