whiteknight7878

Thanks guys, I think I'll just pay a fee and get a UK travel & work expert here in Australia to figure it all out. There's a mob called 1st Contact - hope they can help. Also, a phone call to the UK PASSPORT OFFICE may also help. I'll keep you guys informed about my next step. PASSPORT ADVICE: Telephone: 0300 222 0000 From outside the UK: +44 (0)300 222 0000 Textphone: 18001 0300 222 0222 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Weekends and public holidays, 9am to 5:30pm

Hey guys, Born in England in 1957 and looking to go back in 2016. Currently OZ citizen with OZ passport, but finding so many hoops & hurdles to get a British Passport here in Australia. I've got my full size UK Birth Certificate in my possession, but British Passport Office also want my late Russian parent's Marriage Certificate which I have ordered from the UK where they were married in 1951. The UK Passport Office also are asking for my dad's Birth Certificate which I have no chance of getting considering he escaped communist Russia just after the war. My mother was forced into a labour camp in Germany, but after the war she was liberated. Anyway, after the war both my parents became "Displaced Persons" which made them eligible to go to England courtesy of "Operation Westward Ho" which meant they could live and work there legally. I guess all the documents the Passport Office in England are asking me to send must be for identification purposes, but If I can't supply my dad's birth certificate what can I do? Also, they are asking for a COUNTERSIGNATORY as follows: "A countersignatory must be a professional person or a person of similar standing, who enjoys a good reputation in the community, possesses credentials that can be checked, who would have something to lose by wrongly countersigning an application. The countersignatory must have also known the applicant for at least two years and hold a current British or Irish Passport. In addition IPS must be able to contact the countersignatory if necessary." So now I have to try to find in Australia a professional person who holds a British Passport and who I have known for at least two years - no idea where I'll find one of those. Perhaps I should just travel to England on my Australian Passport and apply for a British Passport over there. I have corresponded by email with a professional person in the UK for more than two years who holds a British Passport - does that count as "knowing" that person? Any advice on what I should do to get a British Passport without pulling all my hair out?? :ssign16:

I have 525 members and Deanna Durbin's parents were both English. I never got the chance to see the south of England in 1978 and there is so much beautiful scenery and history in that part of the country. I love the novels of Thomas Hardy, so Dorchester is a must to see and I may stay for a few months. Another person suggested Guildford could be a suitable town to start my English journey. Canterbury has that beautiful cathedral and perhaps may also be a nice place to stay for a time. Speaking of which, this 1944 film has really influenced me even though much has changed from those days:

No family in England, but I have one friend who is a member of the Deanna Durbin Devotees which I am the administrator. He has kindly offered accommodation for me, but I will have enough funds for my own place. I'm thinking of starting my "new life" somewhere in the south of England - anywhere from Dorchester to Canterbury and all points in between - any suggestions?? But eventually I will move to Wolverhampton where I plan to see my first WOLVES football match - I'm very excited about that!!

Yes, I went back to England once only in 1978 to visit London as a "tourist" and also see the house I was born in Wolverhampton - see image. I know things have dramatically changed since the 1950's, but I'm mentally preparing myself for anything & everything that will be thrown my way. It won't be easy, but home is where the heart is and I won't allow ANY circumstances to put me off. :happy_face_outlaw_s

Thanks for the replies. Yes, getting a British passport before I leave Australia is what many people are saying, so that's what I'll do which will make things easier on my arrival in England in 2016. I'm getting close to retirement age, and both my parents, who were married in England, recently passed away on the same day after 60 years of marriage!! Even though I've lived in Australia all my life, I still don't consider myself "Australian" regardless of citizenship. I have ALWAYS supported England when it comes to playing sport against Australia - it's in my blood to do so. Main thing is I want to end my days in my homeland and be laid to rest in the country I have ALWAYS loved.

:ssign5: I want to PERMANTLY move back to the UK in April of 2016. I was born in Wolverhampton in 1957 and still have my British birth certificate in my possession. My parents, who both legally lived and worked in the UK from the late 1940's, decided to immigrate to Australia in 1959 taking me with them as a two year old baby. I currently am an Australian citizen and hold an Australian passport. I have no criminal history - totally squeaky clean. My question is can I just board a plane with a ONE WAY ticket using my Australian passport and fly to London indicating on my arrival (with my 1957 British birth certificate) that I intend to PERMANTLY live and find a job in the UK. Or is it a little more complicated than that? A few pointers in the right direction would be appreciated. Alex