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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU Why is applying for a passport so tricky.

118 replies

sarahd123 · 14/02/2017 10:39

Hiya, I've recently applied for passports for me, my husband and my 3 oldest dc, it's the first passports for all of us, I've just received a letter from the passport office asking me to send my birth certificate for my oldest dc (he's 9) and my husband got a letter asking him to send his mum and dads birth certificates and their marriage certificate...we don't speak to his parents so can't get these, is this normal? My brother didn't have to do this when he applied a few years ago. We were all born in the U.K. As we're our parents. Thanks for any help.

AIBU Why is applying for a passport so tricky.
AIBU Why is applying for a passport so tricky.
OP posts:
EggysMom · 14/02/2017 21:04

Okay passport/renewal experts ... My OH's passport expired about three years ago. My passport expired last year. Our son is 7, doesn't yet have a passport. Next year, OH and I will get married. By 2019, all three of us will need passports.

What's the best order of renewal? Will it be easier to do them all separately - OH first, as his name isn't changing; then mine after the wedding, with marriage certificate; and finally the passport for our son, will his be easier if we have valid passports first?

Reading the thread, I suspect if we applied for all three at the same time then we might need to track down Gparent birth certificates - but if we get our passports first, does that remove the need for all the historical documents on our son's application?

icelolly99 · 14/02/2017 21:54

If you're renewing an existing or out of date pass port you do not need to provide all the additional documentation. If you're gettin married I would wait until then otherwise you'll have to go through it all again.

thecapitalsunited · 14/02/2017 22:04

You can change your name on your passport up to three months before the wedding so long as you don't mind it not being valid until the day of the wedding. I had to let mine expire before I could renew it into my soon to be married name but it was nice to go on honeymoon in my married name.

ivykaty44 · 14/02/2017 22:10

If you apply to the head office - GRO the waiting is about 3 weeks

But

Apply to the local office where the event took place and the wait will often be a few days for the same certificates

But you need to know where to apply to so this way can be more complicated

Heirhelp · 14/02/2017 22:10

I am currently applying for dd first passport and the form is not very long but I do have to provide details of her grandparents place of birth and date of marriage which surprised me.

Ineedsomewheretocry · 14/02/2017 22:13

I thought it was pretty easy.

ivykaty44 · 14/02/2017 22:15

It's not just people born after 1982, I have come across a person well into thier 70s applying for a passport who was required to provide their parents marriage certificate

citybushisland · 14/02/2017 22:18

I am dreading doing all ours (5), they've all run out in the last couple of years and as we haven't been in a position to go on holiday I haven't done them as they expired. It's not just the sheer irritation at form filling, countersignatures but the cost of 5 at a once, eep!

hungryhippo90 · 14/02/2017 22:27

I just want to tell you I really feel the same.
I was born in 2990, so I needed to send in parents birth certificate. I couldn't get information to send them the marriage certificate from when they were wed.

I have had to write a letter explaining I don't know DDs extended family, and don't have any permission RE DD having changed her last name because her father isn't in the picture.

It all seems to tedious considering that we were born here, and haven't left! I could understand if I were trying to get back in, but I'm trying to leave FGS!

I've had my passport sent back because my countersignatory didn't put our titles on our photos, i.e. Didn't say miss/mrs.

The mind just boggles at that one.

I'd sent in my marriage certificate, countersignatory and his wife were our witnesses... it's obvious he knows us!

skerrywind · 14/02/2017 22:35

Iv'e just renewed our family passports- I didn't need any of the documentation mentioned here- it was all very simple.

The new passports arrived back 4 days after I posted the application!

All very easy,

dementedpixie · 14/02/2017 22:37

Renewals are completely different from getting first passports as they already have your details from the original first passport application

strongandlong · 14/02/2017 22:50

The URL given in the letter is wrong. HTTPS:www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/overview. Along with the various other errors, thi looks really dodgy. Please check the addresss you're sending stuff to is the right one, OP.

strongandlong · 14/02/2017 22:55

Table c in the Applying For A Passport booklet also relates to name changes and not to first passports. Hmm

dementedpixie · 14/02/2017 22:58

www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information/overview the .gov.uk is the correct Web address.

dementedpixie · 14/02/2017 22:58

Sounds like they've got confused

Bangintune · 14/02/2017 22:58

I think you might be being lined up for identity fraud...

Bangintune · 14/02/2017 23:00

And it talks about your son, but then says "their" instead of "his". This simply can't be an official letter.

dementedpixie · 14/02/2017 23:03

But op has already said they didn't send the correct information. Do you have a prepaid envelope with address on?

DesolateWaist · 14/02/2017 23:28

Blimey, what happens if your teenager can't answer the questions?. Do they get refused a passport?

I don't think I could answer some of the questions. I can't name my grandparents or tell you their occupations for a kick off.

ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 14/02/2017 23:36

Greetings hippo. Are you all living underwater in the future? Between you and the Victorian SIL we're covering the whole range Grin

It was notoriously easy to get a fake passport before they changed the rules. Frederick Forsyth detailed it in Day of the Jackal and the same technique still applied for decades afterwards.

DesolateWaist · 14/02/2017 23:39

How can a whole family, some of whom are grown ups be born after1983, that makes you 8 surely?

OwlinaTree · 14/02/2017 23:43

Adult would be about 32/33. It's definitely possible.

MooMooTheFirst · 14/02/2017 23:45

I got my first passport this year at the grand old age of 28. I had to send my birth certificate and my mothers and also her marriage certificate because obviously her surname on the birth certificate is different to mine/her surname now.

I also had to attend an interview.

PuntCuffin · 14/02/2017 23:45

Desolate I hate to break it to you, but 1983 was 34 years ago now.

Glowlamp · 14/02/2017 23:54

I applied for passports for myself and 2 children (first ones for them) out of date renewal for mine. I provided all of the correct documentation and they added the incorrect DOB to my sons passport! I called them to explain and was told it must be my mistake and nothing could be done as it was' the busiest day of the year'!
It was dealt with by complaints dept eventually and the apology letter was littered with grammatical errors and had my daughter's name scored out in biro and my sons added!!
They then asked for extra verification for me from my passport signatory then went on to invite me for an interview 4 hours away! My husband took charge in the end as I'd had enough. Some letters we received were auto generated and not relevant, nor was the invite to interview one. It was very unprofessional, I was shocked at how badly it was all handled. My advice, check and double check every detail and call them to make sure they are following the correct processes!!

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