Sorry for my late reply - I've been swampped with work since Tuesday!
Appointment was fine - in fact it was, somewhat disappointingly, a non-event.
I showed up with all the documents I mentioned above, plus a copy of my UK paper/photo drivers license. I first handed over my application form, which the registrar looked over -- she asked a couple questions about items on my application just to clarify. She picked up one error I had made on the last page - so I pulled out a spare copy of the application form which I had brought along and filled out that page again.
She then asked for my passport, and commented that it was much easier to have just one passport with all my permits (original work permit, renewal work permit, and ILR sticker). She made copies of every page.
She then asked if I had a copy of my ILR letter - which I did; she made a copy, and said having this is preferred to just having your passport with the ILR sticker.
I also mentioned the letter from my employer -- she took the original of this to include in my application, and asked how I would satisfy the English requirement. I gave her the original letter of proof from a solicitor; she included the original as part of my application form.
For the payment of the form, she gave me a photocopy of a different Home Office payment form -- the one on the HO website does not have any area to say how much you authorize payment for! I filled this out and handed it over. For the NCS fee, I paid in cash.
She made a point to ask that I would not be leaving the country for the next
five business days - I told her I was not. She also checked that I was in the UK on the 5th year anniversary date of my application, as John had pointed out earlier in the thread. She said the application would be mailed off that day (Tuesday) to the HO by Royal Mail Special Delivery, and that I should receive a confirmation letter back in 10-14 business days. She said she could not yet give me a tracking number for the application, but if I did not receive my confirmation letter, to call back and they would provide me with the tracking number.
A few other notes:
- She told me that their appointments are now fully booked through mid-November.
- She was not familiar with the requirement for proof of identity, but she did take a cursory look at my drivers license.
All told I was in and out of there in less than 20 minutes.
That was it! Now I'm waiting for my confirmation letter, and checking my credit card for payment authorisations.
Adam
I think that if your documents are in perfect order and you have met all the requirements, 3 to 4 weeks is a good possibility, but you can't count on it.