Renewing passport online

[LaMarschallin]

Yes, sorry - as dull as it sounds.
Realised yesterday that my passport is months out of date. Obviously I'm very unlikely to need it for a while but it feels odd not to have one.

So! Online renewal. I'm wondering things like:
How easy is it to get a home digital photo correct (no shadows etc)?
Do you still need someone to corroborate that said photo is actually me?

I realise there'll be details on the internet but was wondering if anyone who's done it might have some useful tips.

Thanks in advance (ever-hopeful me )

Ideally you need someone to take the photo for you. When you upload it the system accepts it or asks you to retake. As long as it is similar to previous or driving licence you do not need it verified.

I renewed mine on line a couple of months back.

When you up load the digital photo, the system gives you instant feedback if not's acceptable. You will need someone else to take the photo for you, unless you have a tripod or similar set up and delay timer. Think it took us about 3-4 photos to get one which was accepted. Didn't take very long. Take the photo in daylight against a plain background.

Took about 2 weeks to get the passport back

Either take a photo at home or go to a booth. You will get your physical photos but also a code on the top.

Input the code into the Passport renewal form and you photo magically comes up on screen

DS renewed a child one. His original photo he was two. He is now 14 and it went through ok

You can have them use your driving license photo if you are in the uk

I found the taking the photo at home really easy. We just did it against a wall with natural light.

For the photo, I had to put in the details of who was going to verify it and her email. I'd asked her if she was willing to do by text minutes before and then she got the email and did it straight away.

All the booths here are out of action due to Covid.

OP, I had mine taken professionally but the online feedback thing rejected it.

I knew there was absolutely nothing wrong with it so I clicked 'submit anyway' and it was accepted.

So don't be put off it it happens to you.

Thanks all - that's really helpful

I had awful visions of being halfway through and then totally getting lost, which is why I thought real experiences would be helpful.

My experience of asking technical questions on Google or whatever is:

1. Open phone (me: Done...)
2. Go to specifications or whatever (me: Right...)
3. Click something or other (me: Oookay...)
4. Go to something or other I can't find click onto advanced tools (me: Hang on!) find some random techy item (me: Stop!) download the app that starts the other app... (me: ).

DH isn't any better worse, actually; don't tell him I said so but is going to have a great time messing around taking the photograph, as he's always fancied himself a bit arty behind the camera.
I'll go and practise my Blue Steel...