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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I know it’s AIBU but can I ask you about renewing a dc passport - photo question.

20 replies

SweetMarmalade · 10/02/2020 19:23

Asking here as it’s always busy and you’re all so knowledgeable

How easy is the renewal process online and what’s the score with digital photos? I’ve read you can send from your phone but what kind of background, how close etc etc etc

Just asking how easy you found the online process as apposed to the post office renewal process. Is it worth doing?

OP posts:

iMatter · 10/02/2020 19:24

Definitely worth doing

Really easy, really quick

Just make sure you follow the guidelines for the picture and you'll be absolutely fine

Vulpine · 10/02/2020 19:25

Really easy

Original poster

SweetMarmalade · 10/02/2020 19:26

So you don’t need a counter signature for the new photo?

OP posts:

QuillBill · 10/02/2020 19:27

I just did my children's and I found it really easy. I did the photos against a pale coloured wall in the middle of the day. They have to have a miserable face so that was amusing. One of the photos was rejected as dd's massive curly hair was too big so she had to put it up.

The best thing was they email your counter signatories so I sent my friend a text and she did it straight away in minutes rather than me having to go round and her having to fill in the form.

Trahira · 10/02/2020 19:27

Not a counter signature - they send an email to your nominated person and they have to respond and say it's the correct person.

Bumfuzzled · 10/02/2020 19:29

It’s pretty easy and they tell you automatically if the photo is wrong. Top tip, find a blank white wall and stand a few feet away from it. Standing right against it casts dark shadows which they won’t allow.

Bumfuzzled · 10/02/2020 19:30

The email counter signature was very straightforward too. They send you updates by text when each bit has gone through. I’m amazed they have finally made it so user friendly!

Needtobepositive · 10/02/2020 19:31

We just couldn’t get the picture right. Think we will do it the old fashioned paper way. 😢

WTF99 · 10/02/2020 19:31

Renewal was very straightforward. I got a local Photoshop to take my photo so i knew it would be acceptable. They emailed it to me and I attached it to the online application. No need for counter signatures

wonderstuff · 10/02/2020 19:31

I just did my 12 year olds and didn't need a counter signature for a renewal. Had first pic rejected because of a slight shadow, need to be stood a couple feet in front of a pale wall to avoid shadow. Was easy and very quick, even with rejected photo only took 10 days.

ChicCroissant · 10/02/2020 19:32

I did this a year ago and the photo doesn't need a signatory if the child is still recognisable from the original photo (this applies to a renewal only, obviously, as they have something to compare it with).

I took DD to a branch of Timpsons (yes, the shoe repair people) but there are other places that do it as well - they check it immediately to see if it is suitable and gave me a download address and a memory stick I wonder where that is now

The whole online renewal process was really easy and I would recommend it.

Sirzy · 10/02/2020 19:32

My only issue was DS is very pale so it kept getting a message to say it wasn’t a suitable photo as too like the white background

Then they didn’t like the fact he had his glasses on. But when we took them off they didn’t like he wasn’t looking at the camera (he couldn’t see the camera and his eyes wander with no glasses on!)

But all that said it was much easier than trying to get a photo done in a booth or shop and the new passport took less than a week to arrive

CatFaceCats · 10/02/2020 19:33

Just did ours today, took the photo in a standard photo booth which gives you a code to input. Super easy!

CurlyMango · 10/02/2020 19:39

So easy, I just did it and photos all ok, first one back today

dementedpixie · 10/02/2020 19:41

If they are under 12 then they need a countersignature but it's done by email. I did 3 online renewals last year and took photos against a light wall making sure there were no shadows

Suze1621 · 10/02/2020 19:42

Really easy, reallyquick and £10 cheaper

Original poster

SweetMarmalade · 10/02/2020 20:30

Thanks for the photo tips will make sure we have no shadow!

Glad it seems an easy process!

OP posts:

CatherineVelindre · 10/02/2020 20:40

The system also rejects a lot of photos for no good reason - DD's was rejected but the 'problem' was that she's very pale and a 'shadow' on her forehead is actually a scar. I sent it in anyway and it was accepted and the new passport came back within a week. We paid £5 to do them in photo booth at supermarket and used the digital code on the photos rather than the physical pictures.

WriteronaMission · 10/02/2020 23:06

Op, thank you for asking this. I've been wondering the same thing. Will try this out for our renewals.

Original poster

SweetMarmalade · 12/02/2020 20:42

@WriteronaMission you’re welcome Good luck.

OP posts:

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