the embassy in London questions

We are making the trip this coming Wednesday. We have decided to drive in and park, since we are visiting some friends near Heathrow anyway. The drive on google says it will take about 40 min, but I am assuming that it could take longer (London traffic) since we need to be there at 2. I am thinking that by leaving by 12 giving us two hours to get there, park, and get though the line for the embassy for our appointment at 2. Do you guys think I am over thinking this and allowing too much time? I am not sure how long the line takes to get inside a lot of you have said you went in the morning and it wasn't to bad, but I have heard nothing about in the afternoon.

I'm useless on the driving aspect.  But, wanted to say 'hi' fellow Wednesday appointment holder.  Our's is at 8:30 though, and we have to catch our train back home at 2, otherwise I'd ask if you wanted to meet up.   

From past experience at the embassy, usually the queue is for the non-USC visitors.  USCs essentially get to queue jump.  If you're there too early you can always go for a little walk around Grosvernor Square or nearby Hyde Park - weather permitting.

aww would of been nice to meet up.

That's what I was thinking, a walk might be what happens or sit in the car. Hopefully the weather is decent or we will be in the car. I had a look at google maps and they have a photo of the line waiting to get into the embassy  . I hope the citizen line is not nearly that long.

ooo hello!! I was there Last Wednesday!!   If you get there early I think you'd be able to go in as when you get there you get a number and it seemed that your appointment time was really what time they 'wanted' you to show up.  So I'd suggest just try to go in if your early.... ps... what I wish I had known is it says NO PHONES but people had brought phones and they just had a little cubby to put stuff in at security and gave you a number.

Best part is, I got my lo's passport TODAY!! I thought it would take longer, so I was sooo excited to receive today, but my excitement was short lived when I realized I have to get lo british passport before we make any trips home  

ooo hello!! I was there Last Wednesday!!  ps... what I wish I had known is it says NO PHONES but people had brought phones and they just had a little cubby to put stuff in at security and gave you a number.
  

I was just there yesterday and I second this.  Husband and I stayed at a Travelodge and took the tube from Stanmore to Bond street, and I was soooo stressed knowing that we 'couldn't' bring mobile phones, and what if something happened.....I was really irritated knowing that even though it says that no phones were allowed but you can just check them in....

When I went in the morning the citizen line wasn't very long - like 2 people ahead of us.  DONT stand in the long line that you first see... the citizen line isn't very obvious and I asked a guard and he told me where I should be.  We were there about an hour early and they let us in.  Like someone else said...I don't think they are that strict when it comes to appointment times.

BUT: be warned....it took us 3 hours from start to finish.  I think it was a total of 3 times we were called up, first to go through the paperwork, second to check something on our paperwork, and third to talk to the officer who asks you questions.  So bring a book or something to do, even bring some snacks.  We didn't think they would allow anything in, I felt really stupid when I saw everyone else there with prams etc and I just had two diapers and a handful of baby wipes in my purse...even forgot a bottle!!  Thank god he didn't cry at all, was really lucky!  

Good luck with your trip!  

Thanks for all the advice

Everything went with out a hitch except having to pay £16 for parking (ouch!), but we got into a lot 1 min walking distance. We got there at 1:30 and no one was in the citizens line though we had to wait since my husband is in a wheelchair so we had to go around the back (it was a very nice behind the scenes tour). I had nothing to worry about really I just panic.

Thanks for all the advice

Everything went with out a hitch except having to pay £16 for parking (ouch!), but we got into a lot 1 min walking distance. We got there at 1:30 and no one was in the citizens line though we had to wait since my husband is in a wheelchair so we had to go around the back (it was a very nice behind the scenes tour). I had nothing to worry about really I just panic.

Cool beans.  Lucky you getting the behind the scenes tour.     (I always wondered how they would work it out for anyone in wheel chairs.)  Ouch on the parking, but kind of sounds about right for London. 

Ours took just under an hour, but then I think that was due to a combination of having an early morning slot, and me filling in everything and sending it off in advance.

We sent everything ahead of time as well. I think that is the key to not be sitting there for a few hours.

I sent everything in as well - don't know why it took so long on my day.  It seemed like everyone was there for as long as we were.

Probably just luck of the draw - some days maybe are busier than others, maybe more Embassy employees are working, stuff like that.

I got my son's passport and Report of Birth Abroad today though - which is dead on a week since we were in London - very relieved it's all done. 

We got out passport yesterday which was a week after we went in. So got no complaints about it, i figured it would take a couple weeks at the least.

We got out passport yesterday which was a week after we went in. So got no complaints about it, i figured it would take a couple weeks at the least.

Same here.  Now, just waiting on SSN...  Hopefully that comes before the two months are out.