Age Assessment
What is the procedure for altering the age stated on the Asylum Registration Card (ARC)when an age-dispute is resolved in the applicant’s favour?
Where the UK Border Agency (UKBA) dispute the age of a person claiming to be a minor, this is reflected on the ARC card by being 'flagged' as such on the text of the card. Children's Services authorities and legal representatives have sometimes complained that when a young person claiming to be a minor is initially 'age disputed' and this is later resolved in the applicants favour [1], there is a problem getting the UKBA to change the age on the ARC card to reflect the accepted age of the young person. The 'flag' of 'age-disputed' on the ARC card has consequences for other services or entitlements such as the issuing of a national insurance number and entitlement to benefits.
On acknowledgement of the resolution of an age dispute, the details should be altered on the Home Office main computer database (called 'CID'). Once this has been updated a new ARC card will be issued on request. [2]
Legal representatives or social workers assisting the young person can make the request for the issue of a new ARC card by writing to:
Central Events Booking Unit (CEBU)
PO Box 222,
Liverpool,
L69 2TY
Assuming the CID database has been updated CEBU will issue a new ARC in exchange for the old one. When returning the old ARC card we strongly recommend that a photocopy is first made and that the letter is sent by recorded delivery.
A model letter to CEBU requesting the re-issue of the ARC can be downloaded here.
Notes
[1] A dispute over age which is resolved in an applicants favour is always the result of the Home Office have received 'acceptable evidence of age'. In the vast majority of cases 'acceptable evidence of age' is a 'Merton-compliant' age assessment by a social services authority which is then notified to the Home Office.
[2] Clarified in e-mail from Iain Walsh (Home Office) to the Immigration Law Practitioners Association , 20.12.05
Revised 21/01/08
