Freedom of Information Team Globe House 7th Floor 89 Eccleston Square London SW1V 1PN
Email: [email protected] Website: www.gov.uk/hm-passport- office
Nicholas Phillips Email [email protected] [email protected] Website www.gov.uk/hm-passport- office
Reference: FOICR 58370/20
21 April 2020
Dear Mr Phillips
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Thank you for your email of 2 April in which you ask for information regarding passports issued by Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.
Your request has been handled as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
British passports are also issued by the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. I would like to know what oversight and control, if any, the HM Passport Office in the UK has over the issue of passports by these states, or do they issue passports entirely independently of HMPO without any intercommunication with HMPO?
Are British passports issued by these states also issued under the Royal Prerogative the same way as passports issued by HMPO?
The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey (Crown Dependencies) issue their own ‘variant’ British passports on the authority of the respective Governor General. These are issued to customers who live in or were born in the relevant Crown Dependency in accordance with:
• UK nationality legislation • Local laws in each Crown Dependency • HM Passport Office policy and guidance principles (including our Royal Prerogative guidance)
Can HMPO refuse or delay an application for a British passport that is being processed by one of the states of Isle of Man, Jersey or Guernsey?
In order to issue a variant passport, the Crown Dependencies must be satisfied that a customer’s nationality, identity and entitlement to a passport has been established.
Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 Email us at [email protected] Visit our website at www.gov.uk
Crown Dependencies do not routinely contact or communicate with HM Passport Office during the passport application process unless they have any queries or concerns. Where this applies, they will ask HM Passport Office for advice and support to resolve the issue. This may result in a case being investigated and/or further checks being carried out, which could delay the passport application.
The Crown Dependencies also provide HM Passport Office with information about passport records they have issued. This information is then uploaded to our passport records database.
HM Passport Office also carry out compliance audits of the Crown Dependencies to ensure they are adhering to policy and process.
Yours sincerely
C Parsons Freedom of Information Team
Passport Adviceline: 0300 222 0000 Email us at [email protected] Visit our website at www.gov.uk