Hello there,
Everything went OK thanks to your wonderful site. I do not need to fill in any more forms or prepare for tests but still enjoy visiting this site.
I passed my test Nov 06, waited 3 weeks for NCS appointment, my application was approved on 8th Jan 07 but did not received any acknoledgement letters (beware!) After a complain to IND by phone (actually they were quite nice), I received a letter from HO but they put me to a wrong local council for the ceremony. (I could not believe it.) Fiasco continued; HO sent me the "correct" letter by courier and as a consequence, I had to rearrange delivery, stayed at home waiting, waiting... for 2 days! (2nd class mail could have been faster?!) Then I had to wait another 2 months to "win" a place for the ceremony.
Some people complain about the "extra" ceremony fee but I got my certificate nicely framed in a posh mahogany coloured frame, free tea/coffee (even some bickies!).
I had to take my beautifully framed certificate out of the gorgeous frame and send it to the Passport Office. Do you know what they have done ? They folded my beautiful certificate in "nearly" half !!! (shame)
I received my UK passport 10 days later but had to wait for 3 weeks to get my British daughter's passport renewed. The reason : because they wanted to know what other passports she has had. (BTW, it is true that if your signature is out of the frame, your application will certainly be rejected. It happened to my friend.)
My advice for you all. Be patient. They are b**k**s.
With my best wishes to you all.
John
PS Life in the UK test still £34? Wow, it's a bargain.