The UK Border Agency (the UKBA) is changing the way that it processes applications by European nationals and their families for registration certificates, residence cards, family member residence stamps or confirmation of permanent residence in the United Kingdom.

From 1 June 2009, the UKBA will check all applications as soon as they are received. Unless you have completed the application form correctly and provided the necessary supporting evidence, they will not accept your application as valid under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006.

Applications submitted from families will be rejected in their entirety unless the necessary supporting evidence has been provided for all of the named applicants.

To make sure that your application is complete, you must:

■submit your application on the current appropriate application form;
■provide all the required photographs of yourself and any family members included in your application, as specified on the application form;
■provide all the original documents specified on the application form - each application form has a section entitled 'Documents and photographs', which lists all the supporting evidence that you must provide;
■complete all sections of the application form as required; and
■sign and date the declaration on the application form.
If you do not make your application in this way, with the correct supporting documentation, the UKBA  will refuse your application and return your application form to you.

If your passport is already with the Home Office, you must provide full details of this - including your Home Office reference number. If you do not provide these details, the UKBA will refuse your application and return your application form to you as noted above.