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Original poster

DS appearance and passport photo dilemma

36 replies

TreacherousPissFlap · 14/04/2019 14:34

DS is 14 and has a regular UK child passport. This is 2 and a half years old and he has understandably changed appearance in this time- his hair is darker and longer for a start and he looks like a teenage boy rather than a twelve year old IYSWIM?

The big problem is that when his photo was taken he had a very pronounced squint. This has since been corrected by surgery and his eyes are straight now.

He has just returned from a school trip to Europe where he was pulled over at border control, the only one of his party that was. When he mentioned this I recalled that he was also pulled over by the automatic border gates the last time we flew as a family. On both occasions he was allowed through and the experience was not overly awful. I suspect that it is his eye which is causing the issues.

The issue is that he's flying to Africa over the summer as part of an expedition group - we will not be with him. Given past experience I feel that we should probably apply for a new one with a new photo (I don't believe you can just update the photo) Or perhaps a medical note explaining the procedure and the subsequent change in his appearance?

I'd rather not pay for a new passport when he has over two years left on it, but on the other hand I don't really fancy him being denied entry when he arrives at the African border control! We will also have an issue with a new passport being back in time for the group visa application.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
ilovepixie · 14/04/2019 14:37

What happens when the passport picture is off a baby? And the child is now 2/3? Obviously the photo would look different too?

SavoyCabbage · 14/04/2019 14:40

My dc have traveled internationally with passports which have baby photos in but they get the dc to stand and look into a camera which I assume is measuring the distances between their facial features. So I think you are right, it might be an issue.

Whoopstheregomyinsides · 14/04/2019 14:41

Better safe than sorry. I’d get a new one

whiskeysourpuss · 14/04/2019 14:42

I wouldn't pay for a new passport when his current one runs out he'll get an adult passport.

I look nothing like my passport photo it was taken 9 years ago, I was very dark haired & wearing contacts - I'm now platinum blonde & when travelling wear my glasses...

Unless he's being detained & questioned about his identity for such a length of time as it's an issue for forward travel I wouldn't worry about it.

SavoyCabbage · 14/04/2019 14:42

Pixie, 2/3 year olds wouldn't be travelling to Africa as part of an expedition group, without their parents. Probably.

SilentSister · 14/04/2019 14:47

As it is Africa, I would probably err on the side of caution and get it re-done. I recently updated DD to a full adult passport as her's was coming to an end and Brexit and she was almost 16 etc etc, fortunately I could apply for an adult one, and now we get 10 years :-)

I applied on-line and would highly recommend. It literally took 5 minutes, I had already got a digital photograph taken by a professional (don't use Snappy Snaps they are rubbish and not much cheaper), and uploaded the photo. I have had several texts and emails updating me on the progress of the application, and all I had to do was post the old one back. It should only take three weeks.

Looking carefully at the .Gov website, I would however recommend you call them first, as if your son can't easily be recognised between the old and new photo's I think you will have to do a paper application and get a counter-signatory. So more hassle involved, and more time to process.

Good luck.

Original poster
TreacherousPissFlap · 14/04/2019 14:49

The dreaded paper applications Hmm

OP posts:
Daftapath · 14/04/2019 14:51

Complete the 'paperwork' online OP. It's much easier that way

Mustbetimeforachange · 14/04/2019 14:51

You don't need a professional photo you can take them on your phone. DS travelled for 5 years on a passport with him as a 10 day old baby, but as pp have said, he wasn't travelling to Africa without his parents.

Crunchymum · 14/04/2019 14:57

It's also cheaper online!!

PineapplePatty · 14/04/2019 15:07

Can't you apply to change the photo or have I dreamed that?

bigbluebus · 14/04/2019 15:34

Agree with Mustbetimeforachange re the photo. I did my application on line with a photo taken on my phone. Follow their instructions (think you take picture from waist up against a plain wall) and their site crops the picture to their requirements.

lljkk · 14/04/2019 15:44

DH just renewed his online, it was super fast to return. He's very impressed with how easy it was (only took about 8 efforts to get an acceptable pic, mind).

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 14/04/2019 15:52

Re photos. I took mine in a booth at the supermarket. Cost £6. Got the print off of the photos and also a code to enter on the online application that uploaded the photo.

Was pretty impressed with it actually (the process not the photo. The photo looks like I’m lying on a mortuary slab Hmm).

SilentSister · 14/04/2019 15:56

Only cost me £12 for a professional passport photo - well worth the extra, wiped out the spots, the bags, and added a bit of healthy colour Grin and uploaded immediately.

Mustbetimeforachange · 14/04/2019 15:59

You used to be able to add a newer photo, I remember having 2 in my passport (I think maybe my under 16 one was extended for another 5 years but may be misremembering that) but I'm sure things have changed.

SoupDragon · 14/04/2019 15:59

I would get a medical note explaining.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 14/04/2019 16:05

I would change it, not because he looks different but because his measurements will have changed now that his squint is corrected.

Ironmanrocks · 14/04/2019 16:27

I would leave buying a new passport and just have the medical notes written into a letter form explaining. Seems simpler....

MitziK · 14/04/2019 16:35

I'd get a new one.

We had all kinds of trouble getting black and mixed race kids through French passport control on exchanges because they didn't look like the 10/11/12 year olds in the photos, even though they were only 14 - and they hadn't actually changed something as fundamental as their eyes (yes, I do think institutional racism on the part of the French Authorities had a lot to do with it).

Just get it done now and there's a very good chance it'll come back in plenty of time and he can travel without issue for another ten years.

MitziK · 14/04/2019 16:37

Just to add that, due to the issues on his recent trip, you shouldn't have a problem getting a member of staff prepared to confirm the photo is of him - again, ask on the first day back to give the maximum time for any checks they might wish to do (has happened to an ex colleague a couple of times, where they've been phoned and asked to confirm that they did countersign the photos).

Mumski45 · 14/04/2019 16:41

You can still apply on line even if you need the photo to be counter signed

caughtinanet · 14/04/2019 16:44

I'd ring the passport office and ask for their advice.

dementedpixie · 14/04/2019 16:45

At that age he will not need a counter signature. Do the application online and upload a picture from your phone. I did 3 applications last month using this method - 1 was for a 15 year old

dementedpixie · 14/04/2019 16:47

And even if you do the 'countersignature' is done by email