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AIBU?

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Original poster

Passport office nightmare for DD 10

123 replies

TheColourofspring · 14/02/2023 08:33

Trying to renew my DD10’s passport. We sent her last passport and obviously she looks different- the first 3 pics we sent were rejected. We got it countersigned by someone who has known her since she was born. Then they asked for her birth certificate which we have sent by registered post.

Now they are saying that’s not enough either? Aibu to think what the hell else are we meant to send? They want more ID but we don’t have anything else as shes 10 and they her birth certificate 🤷🏻‍♀️

What do people send?!

OP posts:
TheHauntedPencilCase · 14/02/2023 09:10

I've just called to check on our and got through straight away. It hasn't helped as it seems my other child was an anomaly and most need BC (we never have before and why not ask us when we sent passport rather than needing to pay 2 postage fees?!)

PuttingDownRoots · 14/02/2023 09:11

My mother has just been asked for her foreign passport... shes British and has had British passports consistently for at least 50 years!

unicornflakegirl · 14/02/2023 09:13

@LittleBearPad we don't have any short birth certificates, though did buy more than one when we registered DC
@TheClitterati check and send is not particularly good value when you can take the photos yourself at home, I did DC first passport last year, no need to spend extra and it came back quickly. I actually think it's a bit of a rip-off, it shouldn't be so complicated that such a service is needed (I used to work in passport production)
@TheColourofspring you do need to speak to them to make any progress, most 10 year olds don't have other ID but you need to speak to a human
@the

ClearMoth · 14/02/2023 09:13

I've never had to send birth certificates when renewing my kids' passports. Only the old passport and a countersigned photo (done online last time).

Star81 · 14/02/2023 09:15

Can you see on your application log you can look at that they have actually received the certificate ?

I sent my daughters old passport the day I did the applcation and sent tracked so I could see it delivered the next day. However, it didn’t get added to the log you can check until 6 days after and I got auto emails/ texts reminding me to send until they officially logged it as received.

is this maybe what is happening ?

Oncetheystartschool · 14/02/2023 09:17

Maybe the passport office had had an influx of applications recently, just before the prices went up?

I renewed my DD passport a month ago and it was surprisingly easy. Took photo myself and uploaded it, got our neighbour who is a teacher to be the countersign person, he got an email directly and completed the info asked for. Sent off old passport and got new one back within a week. Didn't ask for any other ID from anyone.

Can you book an inperson appointment and get it sorted that way?

Original poster
TheColourofspring · 14/02/2023 09:18

@Star81 maybe that’s what it is!! I really hope so 🙏🏻

OP posts:
milkysmum · 14/02/2023 09:18

Have you logged in online and checked the status of the application? At each point it should say send ID, ID arrived, awaiting ID to be authorized, etc..

maranella · 14/02/2023 09:20

The phone number will depend on which passport office you sent your application to. There are several different offices around the country. Make sure you call the right one.

maranella · 14/02/2023 09:21

PuttingDownRoots · 14/02/2023 09:11

My mother has just been asked for her foreign passport... shes British and has had British passports consistently for at least 50 years!

I suspect she accidentally ticked 'Yes' in the box where it asks if you have any other passports.

Hadjab · 14/02/2023 09:21

Not quite the same, but I had all sorts of issues when I renewed my youngest's passport. She was about six at the time, and absolutely hated having her photo taken, so she looked miserable in the photos. I got a call from the Passport Office telling that I had to bring her in to verify that she was actually my child, as in the photos she "looked like she was being held under duress,'' and they needed to ensure she wasn't being trafficked!

TheHauntedPencilCase · 14/02/2023 09:21

Oncetheystartschool · 14/02/2023 09:17

Maybe the passport office had had an influx of applications recently, just before the prices went up?

I renewed my DD passport a month ago and it was surprisingly easy. Took photo myself and uploaded it, got our neighbour who is a teacher to be the countersign person, he got an email directly and completed the info asked for. Sent off old passport and got new one back within a week. Didn't ask for any other ID from anyone.

Can you book an inperson appointment and get it sorted that way?

Yes it's usually this easy. Something clearly going on. The person on the phone said lots of people forget to put their passport application number on the envelope which causes lots of delays but as both mine and OPs docs received its not that. I suspect security has increased with the fees going up. Just frustrating not to set out the expectations when you apply so people can plan.

CocoPlum · 14/02/2023 09:23

You said it's been signed for - when was it signed for? I had to send a birth cert for DS last year and it was signed for but not logged for about a week afterwards. In the week in between I also got an email about sending documentation, it was a reminder more than anything.

Also you should have a short birth cert - that's what they give you when you register the birth and you pay for the long version, at least you do where I am ...

bellsbuss · 14/02/2023 09:24

If you ring after the lines are closed you can leave a message and someone will call you back within 48 hours. I found that was the only way to speak to someone last year

Grigorisangel · 14/02/2023 09:27

Wow it so strange how the process can vary. I have just done ds9’s renewal. Filled in the forms online on 30th Jan. I admit it took me 3 attempts to submit a photo they said would pass but it tells you when you upload if it will. They then asked for the email details of someone who could verify it was him. Did a family friend who is a doctor. They received the email and confirmed the same day. I then received an email asking me to send his passport which I did and today they have just confirmed it is out for delivery.
I did have to send his birth certificate for his first passport but as this is a renewal I didn’t need anything apart from his old passport which is about to expire.
I would also suggest phoning as unfortunately all we can do is guess what they are wanting from you. Hopefully it’s just as a pp said and although they have received the birth certificate it’s not yet logged on the system

ElliF · 14/02/2023 09:34

They don’t know you and they cannot see you or your daughter, so if they have doubts, they have no way to corroborate the information you’re providing.

  1. Send them photos taken by a machine or a photo outlet that match the requirements laid out by the passport office.
  2. Have those photos signed by someone that matches the requirements of the photo office. Your Post Office can do this if you take your daughter with you to the Post Office.
  3. Speak to them on the phone and find out what the issue is with the information you are providing if you have done the first two things and they have an issue with what you are providing - You have to be patient because lots of people call them all the time and half their staff work from home now.
  4. If you don’t understand their concerns, or don’t want to phone them, go to the Passport Office in person and talk to them, or better still, take your daughter and do it there and then.

Usually it all comes down to a failure of one of the first two items. People don’t read and/or understand the requirements of the information format needed. They have Government Guidelines that they must follow, and these are not flexible. They are laid down by international law.
Yes its frustrating and time consuming, but it is your obligation to follow them.

unicornflakegirl · 14/02/2023 09:35

@CocoPlum how old is your youngest?
Definitely no short version birth certificate in my county for DC born in South of England last year, only one born in England so I don't know what is usual.
I bought extra copies of birth certificate to apply for passports as we are dual nationals. The British one was easiest.

MorePassportWoes · 14/02/2023 09:35

As my username suggests, I've had plenty of issue with the passport office.

It appears that the request for birth certificates during renewals is a computer error. I had to drive six hours to get dd bc and send it to the pp office.
Helpfully the passport office contacted me the day after I'd made the journey to tell me the passport was being approved before they had received the BC.

Currently having issues as applied using family application (you send them all together) but one hasn't been logged and still says send old passport

qpmz · 14/02/2023 09:46

What about her NHS red book?

ZuckerwatterMaus · 14/02/2023 09:51

Perhaps your child benefit number / letter ?

Easternext · 14/02/2023 09:52

Wow that's alot of messing around I renewed my ds online just needed new pic no Id or anything took about 3 weeks for new one to arrive.

Bobishere · 14/02/2023 09:54

I had issues doing my daughters first passport. I did ring them but they weren't much help. I then received a letter that was explicit in what they needed so I could sort it.
I would phone them and ask them.

Iwanttoquitthegym · 14/02/2023 09:54

It’s so frustrating. I’ve just done baby’s first passport with no problem, although they said my photo didn’t have enough contrast between his skin and the background….I can help he’s pale!
5 year old renewal has been rejected as she is not looking at the camera. If they are under 6 they don’t have to! That’s their rules 🤦🏻‍♀️

Swimswam · 14/02/2023 09:55

Contact your MP

ChickenDhansak82 · 14/02/2023 09:58

I would just try phoning them.

I got a first passport done for DS1, took the photo at home and it was printed and arrived within 7 days.

I had to phone them as my name on his birth certificate was my maiden name, so they also wanted our marriage certificate too. I got through first time when I phoned and the were really helpful.