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Original poster

What could he possibly need them for

161 replies

skyisthelimit1 · 01/03/2021 12:57

Few weeks ago I asked my DH of 12 years to leave. He's been abusive and controlling and I couldn't take it anymore.

Last week he came to the house to see the kids and before he left he asked for the kids passport he said he needs to take copies of them incase I lose the passports and I end up need the passport number. I said to him I won't and if I do I'll just report them lost. anyways after arguing with him I decided to let him take copies.

Now I'm worried, what can he do with the copies? He also has copy of my passport in his phone.

OP posts:
UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 14:07

Needed his signature for the British passport too. We knew where he was then so was able to get it.

MynameisJune · 01/03/2021 14:07

@UhtredRagnarson

He can apply without you if he is on their birth certificate, I applied for both my DD’s passports and I’m sure I didn’t need DH’s signature.

I don’t think that’s true as I can’t apply for an Irish passport for my DS without his father (who is absent) signing the form.

I’ve checked the Uk website says someone with parental responsibility not both parents.

OP - of says he will need their Irish passports too. Does he have them?

UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 14:07

But renewal might be different. This was a first passport.

Original poster
skyisthelimit1 · 01/03/2021 14:08

I feel so fucking stupid for just handing them to him.
Thank you all for you advice, I will get some legal advice ASAP. I doubt he even knows where to start when it comes to looking after the kids it's always been me who did everything for them.

OP posts:
WaltzingBetty · 01/03/2021 14:09

@skyisthelimit1
If your ex has parental responsibility he can take your children to the Middle East on new passports and you'll never see them again.

You need legal advice and a prohibited steps order ASAP.

MechantGourmet · 01/03/2021 14:10

When you consult a solicitor about divorce, they ask to see a copy of all passports, including children. Don't assume this is about taking them abroad.

justanotherneighinparadise · 01/03/2021 14:11

This has made my blood run cold. Please do whatever you need to do to prevent him from obtaining his own set of passports and taking them abroad.

Original poster
skyisthelimit1 · 01/03/2021 14:12

@MynameisJune No, I have both the the Irish and British passports.

OP posts:
MynameisJune · 01/03/2021 14:12

@UhtredRagnarson

But renewal might be different. This was a first passport.
It’s one signature for a new one according to the gov website.
BewareTheBeardedDragon · 01/03/2021 14:12

Useful overview of your options here OP www.alternativefamilylaw.co.uk/international/preventing-childabduction/

Get legal advice ASAP.

ememem84 · 01/03/2021 14:12

absolutely get legal advice on this. i also wouldn't be letting the kids out of my sight until i've had advice.

OverweightPidgeon · 01/03/2021 14:13

I wouldn’t let the children out of my sight until this is sorted

MynameisJune · 01/03/2021 14:13

[quote skyisthelimit1]@MynameisJune No, I have both the the Irish and British passports.[/quote]
To replace a lost or stolen british passport he will need any other passports that the children hold. So he won’t be able to do it without those by the sounds of it. Hold onto them, put them somewhere safe that no one else knows about just in case he asks the kids to get them for him.

UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 14:15

It’s one signature for a new one according to the gov website.

Oh this is good to know! Thank you.

partyatthepalace · 01/03/2021 14:15

@BerryPieandCustard

Please report all of their passports lost and get new ones. The fact that you are both from the Middle East sets off massive alarm bells for me. If he did take your kids to the Middle East you stand very little chance of getting them back
Yep this.

Indicates to me he is intending to get them passports from his ME country of origin - and if he takes them abroad it may be impossible to get them back.

You have a solicitor? I would also talk to them about how to flag your children as a flight risk.

I would take this very seriously indeed.

Original poster
skyisthelimit1 · 01/03/2021 14:16

I have them hidden. He will have to turn the house upside to find them.

OP posts:
MynameisJune · 01/03/2021 14:17

Is he a citizen of the ME country? Could he be in the process of getting him and the children passports for that country?

UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 14:17

[quote skyisthelimit1]@MynameisJune No, I have both the the Irish and British passports.[/quote]
So which passports does he have?

CandyLeBonBon · 01/03/2021 14:19

@skyisthelimit1

I feel so fucking stupid for just handing them to him. Thank you all for you advice, I will get some legal advice ASAP. I doubt he even knows where to start when it comes to looking after the kids it's always been me who did everything for them.
I'm confused. Have you given him passports or not?
Original poster
skyisthelimit1 · 01/03/2021 14:22

No he took photocopies of the passports he doesn't have the actual passports.

OP posts:
UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 14:24

Oh I thought he had the actual passports! He can’t go anywhere with photocopies of them. But he can report them lost.

saffire · 01/03/2021 14:26

@UhtredRagnarson

He can apply without you if he is on their birth certificate, I applied for both my DD’s passports and I’m sure I didn’t need DH’s signature.

I don’t think that’s true as I can’t apply for an Irish passport for my DS without his father (who is absent) signing the form.

It is true for a British passport. Don't need both parents signatures, but if born after 82, you need to give passport no. of parents and it asks for grandparents details too.
dementedpixie · 01/03/2021 14:27

She gave him copies of the passport details pages rather than the passports themselves I think

YoniAndGuy · 01/03/2021 14:28

He DOES NOT NEED the passports.

What he will do is contact the passport office, report them lost (using the passport numbers) and apply for new ones. Forget your signature - he'd just forge it, obviously. Then get new passports sent to him.

Or - use their details plus passport numbers to apply for ME passports for them (or visas)

What you need to do is report him and your children as an abduction risk. I am not sure how you do that, go to police first possibly? - definitely solicitor - but what you want to do now is:

  • apply for a residency order that stipulates that the children live with YOU,
  • talk to the police and/or solicitor and find out how you notify the passport office that they need to put a marker on your childrens' names - if their father applies for new passports for them, it will NOT have been authorised by you and should trigger an alert. Plus any new application should name your address, not his. New application = abduction alert

There will be a way of doing this. In the meantime, I would not be ok with him having them without you there - what contact does he have and where?

DodoApplet · 01/03/2021 14:29

@skyisthelimit1

I have them hidden. He will have to turn the house upside to find them.
And could he turn the house upside down to find them before you could stop him? Could he force you to hand them over? As I see it, they oughtn't to be in the house at all: I'd strongly recommend you lodge them with your solicitor, if you have one, or your bank.
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