Consular FAQS
American Citizen Services
Courier Service (U.S. Citizens only)
Can I use any courier service?
Can I use any courier service?
Who are Secure Mail Services?
SMS is a private courier agency contracted to the U.S. Embassy to provide courier delivery services on behalf of the Consular Section.
Where can I obtain information about this service?
Please call SMS at 0870 950 1760 or visit their website at www.securemail.co.uk.
Is the fee per passport?
The fees charged are for a package depending upon weight. The envelope that they provide will take several passports; for example, the passports of a family of four will fit into one envelope. If you have any further questions about this, you may wish to speak with an SMS representative on the day you visit the Embassy or by calling them at 0870 950 1760 or visit their website at www.securemail.co.uk.
What do I do if my application is returned to me because it is incomplete?
You will be required to resubmit the application with the missing documents by courier or by Royal Mail Special Delivery. This is at your expense.
How can I check on the progress of my application?
You will be given a unique ID tracking number by SMS, and you can call them to check on the progress of your application. You should take into account the fact that the documents will not be released to the courier until processing has been completed. Routine U.S. passport applications take 15 working days to process. Applications for extra pages take five working days.
As the Embassy is using a courier service, can I assume that my passport will be returned to me the next working day?
The passport will not be released to SMS until the Passport Unit has completed processing the application. Routine U.S. passport applications take 15 working days to process. Applications for extra pages take five working days.
Do I have to use SMS?
You are not required to use SMS. If your application requires a personal appearance, you may bring a pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope (available at any UK Post Office) to your appointment for the return of your documents.
If you are eligible to apply by mail, please submit your passport application, along with all supporting documents and photos, only by using the Royal Mail "Special Delivery" service (available at any UK Post Office). Please do not use the regular mail service. Your envelope should be addressed to:
Passport-by-Mail Service
American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy
5 Upper Grosvenor Street
London
W1A 2LQ
To ensure the safe return of your passports, you should also enclose a pre-paid Special Delivery self-addressed return envelope that shows postage paid up to 500 grams. Inquiries regarding Special Delivery Mail should be directed to your local Post Office. As the Embassy does not keep track of Special Delivery numbers, you are advised to keep a record of your Special Delivery tracking number so you can track your passport's return to you.
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Courier Service (U.S. Citizens only)
