ISSUANCE OF A NEW PASSPORT IN LIEU OF PASSPORTS REPORTED LOST OR DAMAGED

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Renewal of passports and issue of new passports to Sri Lankans granted refugee/asylum status in the UK.

According to new Sri Lankan Immigration Regulations Sri Lankan citizens who have applied and gained refugee status or asylum in the UK are not entitled to a Sri Lanka passport and also to renew validity of their existing passports with immediate effect.

However, temporary travel documents will be issued to the following categories of Sri Lankans for the sole purpose of returning to Sri Lanka. 

1.            1. Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status and awaiting decision of the UK government.

2.            2. Those who have applied for refugee or asylum status but have subsequently withdrawn their applications.

3.            3. Those who have given up their refugee or asylum status and have decided to return to Sri Lanka.

4.             4. Those whose applications for asylum or refugee statues have been rejected by the UK government in which such status has been sought.

Sri Lanka High Commission

London.

4^th April 2011

Application forms can be obtained

	From the Consular Division, of this mission between 9.30 a.m. & 1.00 p.m.
	By sending a self addressed, stamped envelope (9' x 6') with a request letter
	Download Application form or view all related forms and documents required

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Every applicant including children who intend to apply for a passport, will be required to be present for an interview with all relevant documents at the Consular Division on any working day between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. No prior appointment is required.

The High Commission will not accept applications under this category by post (other than from applicants in Ireland)

All certifications /attestations in the application should be done by a Solicitor or Medical Practitioner (GP). Attester's official frank / seal must be placed below the signature.

All incomplete applications will be returned and payment will not be refunded.

THE APPLICATION FORM/S

Four (4) identical copies of colour photographs of size 3.5cm x 4.5cm, with direct face (both ears must be visible) and in a light coloured background without the outer border to be affixed to the application as specified below.

Form "K" - IM 35
Complete all cages from 1-20 of page one and place the signature of the applicant below and paste one photograph on the top right hand box. Another photograph certified overleaf by the attester with his/her signature and frank/seal should be attached to the first page of the application.

Declaration of the applicant - ( page 2)
The declaration should be signed by the applicant and attested by a Solicitor or Medical Practitioner (GP).

Photo/Signature Card (IM35 B)

• The two remaining photographs should be pasted within the borders of the 2 cages. Do not staple or pin.

• The signature of the applicant should be placed well within the 2 cages.

• This form should be attested by the same person who has signed the declaration of the applicant.

• The Attester's signature and seal should be placed over the "Verification Photograph" as well as below the declaration.

Form D
Applicant should fill all questions from 1 to 26 as applicable and sign the duly completed form.

Statutory Declaration
Should be duly filled and signed by the Applicant and attested by a Solicitor.

DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED
ORIGINAL documents (i) to (viii) to be submitted with 2 PHOTOCOPIES each. The documents issued by the Government of Sri Lanka (original Birth and Marriage certificates) will be retained by this High Commission and released with your new passport.

(i) Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar. Photocopies certified by other parties and translations will not be accepted.

(ii) if the applicant was born outside Sri Lanka, the Citizenship Certificate issued by the Citizenship Division in Colombo. If an applicant born outside Sri Lanka has reached 18 years, he/she should submit the Citizenship Certificate with the endorsement made by the Citizenship Division on the reverse of the certificate regarding the applicants continuation of the Sri Lankan nationality.

(iii) Police report - A written confirmation from the police regarding the loss of the passport / a letter from the Royal Mail if it was lost in the post. NOTE: Persons who entered the UK without a valid travel document and have now received indefinite leave /exceptional visa are required to submit the original visa letter issued by the Home Office in lieu of the police report.

(iv) Visa

• A document from the Home Office relating to your present visa status in the UK or Ireland (if not already stamped on the passport)

• If you have 'indefinite leave to remain visa in the UK or settlement visa for more then one year.

you are required to submit a letter from the Immigration & Nationality Department in UK, to confirm that you have not acquired or have not applied for UK Citizenship. Forms to be used for this purpose can be downloaded from Home Office web site (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk). This form should be completed and posted by you to the Immigration & Nationality Department in UK. This confirmation should be submitted along with your application for a new passport. The letter should have been obtained not later than six months from the date of submitting this application.

(v)  Passport copies and National Identity Card copies (Compulsory).

(vi)  If you are a Dual Citizen - the Dual Citizenship Certificate & copy of your UK passport.

(vii) If you wish to change the name consequent to marriage - Original Marriage Certificate.
      (Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted)

(viii) For the inclusion of profession - Original professional certificate and a letter from the employer confirming the title.

(ix) Proof of address (UK/Ireland): utility bill, UK/Ireland driving licence, bank statement.

INCLUSION OF CHILDREN INTO THE PARENTS' NEW PASSPORT
Children below the age of 16 can be included into the parents' new passports. This can only be done at the time of applying for a new passport.

• Form IM 35 C to be completed and signed by the parent applying for the passport

• Four colour photographs size 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Two photos to be affixed within the two cages for each child. The right hand side photograph and the relevant place at the bottom to be attested by a Solicitor or GP. The remaining photograph to be attach to the form IM 35C.

• The following Original documents are to be submitted together with two photocopies.

1. Child's Sri Lanka Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar should be submitted. Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted.

2. If the child was born outside Sri Lanka the Citizenship Certificate.

3. Parent's marriage certificate.

4. Relevant pages of the spouse's travel document/passport including the child page.

• Consent letter signed by the father for the inclusion of the child in the mother's passport or vice versa if it is to be included in the father's passport. Death Certificate in case of either parent's death, Divorce Certificate/Court decision together with the order of Custodianship of the child if parents are divorced.

SEPARATE PASSPORTS FOR CHILDREN
Children who have accompanied parents to the UK without a valid travel document can apply for a separate passport.

A separate application should be submitted for each child. All instructions mentioned under the 'Application Form' on Page 1 should be followed. If the applicant is below 16 years one of the parents can sign the application on behalf of the child.

In the case of children below the age of 16 years of age a "Statutory Declaration by parents on behalf of minor children" should be completed (click here to view documents).

Following ORIGINAL documents (i to v) should be submitted along with 2 PHOTOCOPIES

1. Child's Sri Lanka Birth certificate issued by the Registrar General, District Registrar, Divisional Registrar should be submitted. Photocopies / copies certified by other parties / translations will not be accepted.

2. If the child was born outside Sri Lanka the Citizenship Certificate.

3. Parent's marriage certificate.

4. In case of a guardian applying for a passport for a child, the legal document to prove the guardianship.

5. If the child's application is made after obtaining the parents passports. Passports of parents with photocopies of the following pages.

a. Photo page

b. Pages relating to particulars of children

c. Visa pages - UK/Ireland visa

d. Endorsement / Alteration and Observation pages

     vi.   Consent letter signed by both parents to issue a separate passport for the child. Death

Certificate in case of a spouse's death, Divorce Certificate/Court decision together with the order of Custodianship of the child if parents are divorced.

PAYMENT DETAILS

• Fee - When the applicant produces the previous travel document (J, K, L Series) - £235/-
        - When the applicant submits a copy of the data page of his/her lost passport- £ 235/ 

• In case of applications in lieu of damaged passports - £ 235/-

• No additional charges if the children are added while obtaining a new passport.

• Payment should be made in Cash at the counter or by Postal Orders/ Bankers Draft written in favour of the "Sri Lanka High Commission" if sent by post. Personal Cheques and Credit Cards are not accepted.
  NOTE: Passports will be issued as per the names appearing on the Birth Certificates unless the name change has been done on the Birth Certificate by the Registrar General in Sri Lanka, any change of name done abroad or the persons current usage of a different name in the documents issued by a Foreign Government will not be taken into consideration when issuing passports.

ONCE YOUR APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED;

1. It will be forwarded to the Overseas Missions Division of the Immigration and Emigration Department in Colombo. If all the required documents are submitted, it will take approximately 3 months to receive the new passport. If the Controller of Immigration and Emigration needs to verify the documents submitted by the applicant from the Government Departments concerned (i.e Birth Certificate confirmation from the Registrar General's Department) it may take more than 3 months.
   The High Commission cannot guarantee the issuance of a passport within a specific period.

2. Once we receive your new passport at this mission you will be informed in writing. You are required to bring your cash receipt to this High Commission on any working day between 9.30 a.m. & 1.00 p.m. in order to collect your new passport.

3. If you are unable to collect the new passport personally you should authorise your representative in writing to collect your passport on your behalf. The representative should provide an authorisation letter along with (documents mentioned above) with his/her identification.

4. If the new passport is to be returned to you by post, you should provide a self-addressed prepaid special delivery envelope to the weight of 500g along with your application form.
   Note: The High Commission will not take any responsibility for documents lost in the post.

SUBMISSION OF FORGED BIRTH CERTIFICATES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS AND MAKING FALSE DECLARATIONS RELATING TO THE CITIZENSHIP STATUS IS AN OFFENCE. SUCH CASES WILL BE REPORTED TO RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.

Forms to be downloaded as necessary

For the main applicant:
	Form K (IM 35) - (2 pages) - Application data page and Declaration page
	IM 35 B - (1 page) - Photo/Signature card
	Form D - (2 pages)
	Statuary Declaration Form - to be signed by applicants above 18 years - (1 page)
	Specimen of the letter to be sent to the Home Office, Liverpool with regard to the citizenship status - (1 page)
If children (below 16 years) are to be included in the new passport:
	Form IM 35 C - (1 page) – Inclusion of children in the new passport
	Statuary Declaration Form - to be signed by parents in respect of an applicant below 18 years - (1 page)
	Consent letter by one parent to include a child in the other parents passports - (1 page)
If the main applicant is below 16 years:
	Form K (IM 35) - (2 pages) - Application data page and Declaration page
	IM 35 B - (1 page) - Photo/Signature card
	Form D - (2 pages)
	Statuary Declaration Form - to be signed by applicant - (1 page)
	Download Form NQ (Part 1 & 2) from Home Office web site (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk) - to be sent to the Home Office, Liverpool with regard to the citizenship status
	Statuary Declaration Form - to be signed by parents in respect of an applicant below 18 years - (1 page)
	Consent letter from both parents for the issuance of a new passport for the child - (1 page)