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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Emergency passport for baby

17 replies

Collienova · 11/09/2017 11:00

Not really an AIBU... well maybe: AIBU to think it should be easier to find out how to get a first passport for a baby in less than a week?

My mum passed away (she lived in Germany) and I want to, of course, attend the funeral. However I have a three month old ebf DS so I will need to get a passport for him. The one day premium service apparently doesn't work for children. Does anyone have any advice? I can get to the post office until later, but I need to know!

OP posts:
Original poster
Collienova · 11/09/2017 11:01

We had to do this for my daughter 5 years ago and I do remember having to get a letter from the hospital and then my husband went up to London to get her passport, but there's no information now on how that's possible.

OP posts:
Remy66 · 11/09/2017 11:06

My only advice is call them and see what they say, it's the best and most accurate way.
Maybe they'll make an exception?
I had similar but I was an adult and as it was my first passport could not use the fast tracked service I told them the situation they said they'd do what they could for me and I had my passport back in 10 days from application (including interview time, which doesn't apply to a baby). Usual wait was 4 weeks with advice to allow for 6.
They might help.

babybigapple · 11/09/2017 11:09

The fastest for a child's first passport is 7 day service following an interview at a passport office. Ours actually arrived in 3 days thoughz

notWORKzilla · 11/09/2017 11:10

You can get a child's 1st passport in a week.
info here

I used thois for my children and as far as I remember, you need to make an appointment to go into the passport office to do this.

Here are the details of the passport advice line

RainbowPastel · 11/09/2017 11:10

You will need to go to one of the passport offices. I am sure in the circumstances if you take some sort of proof with you they should do it quicker for you.

Sorry for your loss Flowers

LizB62A · 11/09/2017 11:11

Call them - details are here:
www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

Google is your friend :-)

Orangebird69 · 11/09/2017 11:12

You need to make an appointment to get a fast track child's passport... This link should help.

Mumtonoah5 · 11/09/2017 11:12

Hi, we applied for ours online. You then just have to send in documents which we did next day delivery. Ours was back within a week and we just used the standard service.

steppemum · 11/09/2017 11:13

we got all our kids passports veyr quickly, passport phots were the hardest bit!
If they have UK birth certificate and one of the parents has UK passport, should be very quick and easy.

DonutCone · 11/09/2017 11:32

If you are a German national you will be able to get one much quicker at the embassy.

FuzzyOwl · 11/09/2017 11:36

Sorry for your loss.

We used the post office checking service and got it back within four days (day one being when it was checked and posted).

CotswoldStrife · 11/09/2017 11:37

Sorry for your loss OP, I hope the family can wait until you've sorted the passport out before booking the funeral service. It does seem to be an issue with children's passports, there is not the same option to get one quickly - possibly with good reason but at times like this it is an unnecessary stress.

Original poster
Collienova · 11/09/2017 11:38

Thanks everyone!

I did call them earlier, but I spoke to someone unhelpful. I have since had the chance to call again and have been more successful. They have taken the details and passed it on to the emergency travel team as I need the passport in less than a week. I just need to email the death certificate and can then speak to them directly to make an appointment.

I am a German national, but I'm trying to avoid having to go to London myself (which I would probably have to do as my husband is English). We also had some problems last time and ended up going with a Uk one in the end as it was quicker.

Thanks again everyone!

OP posts:
SouthLondonDaddy · 11/09/2017 12:16

Sorry for your loss.

On a practical point, unless you have the same surname as the child, or you will be travelling with the child’s father and they have the same surname, I strongly suggest you bring along a copy of the birth certificate showing you’re the mother. Mothers with different surnames are stopped all the time, e.g. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/06/mp-stopped-at-border-over-daughters-name-urges-passports-reform

Of course I am talking about the border control coming back to the UK; I have no idea about the border control to enter and leave Germany, but I assume you’ll be more familiar with how those work.

Original poster
Collienova · 13/09/2017 21:49

I heard about this, but fortunately we all have the same surname. Thank you for your kind thoughts!

OP posts:
doradoo · 14/09/2017 12:51

If you're a German national - presumably your child is too, you might be quicker and easier getting a kinder Reisepass from the consulate? Certainly our local Rathaus can provide them on the spot here in Gérmany, worth a call to them and ask I'd have thought. You can still get the U.K. One at a Later date if needed.

Rainatnight · 14/09/2017 12:54

I'm sorry for your loss. It's so stressful to have to travel abroad for a funeral.

Not the question you asked, but if you have a snappy snaps near you, they do baby passport photos.

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