The City of Edinburgh Council has launched a document "check and send" service in Edinburgh for applicants for British passports. The Nationality Checking Service is a partnership between the Council and the Home Office, with a total of 16 existing members of registration staff being trained.
The service is available to any person eligible to apply for British citizenship regardless of where they live.
"People seeking British citizenship have to adhere to a strict application system and have to pay simply to apply, so it is important that they get all of the details correct," said Councillor Phil Wheeler, Finance Leader at the City of Edinburgh Council. "Being able to speak face to face to trained staff here in Edinburgh will offer reassurance that they are submitting all of the relevant documents properly."
Applicants previously had to either travel to South Lanarkshire or south of the border to get documents checked or risk losing original documents by submitting them directly. Registration staff will make sure that the correct paperwork is being submitted, photocopy all documents and return the originals, check that applications are filled out properly and then send them by special delivery to arrive at the Home Office in Liverpool the next working day.
Completed forms sent with the right documents are processed more quickly and cuts down on red tape. Having the forms and documents checked first by trained officials reduces these risks and may also cut the time spent waiting for a result.
Fees for the service are: single adult, £66; couple, £120; family, £168; child under 18, £36.
These are payable to the Council and are in addition to any fees due to the Home Office.
Cllr Wheeler added: "This will also generate much-needed funds at a time when every local authority is under huge financial pressure and being forced to make cutbacks."
The City of Edinburgh Council checking service team are not able to give advice or answer queries regarding applications – these should be directed to the Home Office on 0845 010 5200.
Anyone interested in using the Document Checking Service can contact the team at Lothian Chambers on George IV Bridge on 0131 529 2614.