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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child's first passport, don't have father's details

32 replies

ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:27

I've got an appointment with the passport office to get a fast tracked passport for my son next week. His dad has ignored my request for his details. I know how full name, address and DOB, but he's not provided his passport details or his parent's details. Am I just going to be turned away for the passport? Not sure where to go from here.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:28

To add, I have to communicate with him through a third party due to a court order (which I will take with me) due to domestic abuse, so I can't just approach him and ask as it isn't safe to do so.

OP posts:
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/05/2023 10:29

I've never put my dds fathers details on her passport application, it's not mandatory.

craigth162 · 21/05/2023 10:29

Juat say you have no contact. They can put that on form. I did that cos forgot to ask for details and was in hurry.

BertieBotts · 21/05/2023 10:31

It's not necessary, they only want to check that your child has at least one British grandparent.

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:33

I'm just concerned because I phoned the passport office asking for reassurance but they said it is likely to cause a long delay if I can't get hold of these details. I can't force him.

OP posts:
Afolnerd · 21/05/2023 10:34

I had to apply for my daughters passport without fathers details as we are no contact due to abuse.

They wanted either my mothers birth certificate and her marriage certificate.
Or both my parents birth certificates.

so if you are able to take those with you I would do that and hopefully it will be fine.

itsmylife7 · 21/05/2023 10:37

Just tell them you don't know who the father is.
I'm sure there must be genuine situations like this in real life ?

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:38

itsmylife7 · 21/05/2023 10:37

Just tell them you don't know who the father is.
I'm sure there must be genuine situations like this in real life ?

Fairly sure they'll know I'm lying as his dad is on his birth certificate.

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 21/05/2023 10:39

itsmylife7 · 21/05/2023 10:37

Just tell them you don't know who the father is.
I'm sure there must be genuine situations like this in real life ?

If he’s on the birth certificate though that won’t work.

Badbudgeter · 21/05/2023 10:40

Sorry cross posted

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:41

Badbudgeter · 21/05/2023 10:39

If he’s on the birth certificate though that won’t work.

Show quote history

I also don't want to start lying to people like the passport office. Probably not a good idea!

OP posts:
Stressfordays · 21/05/2023 10:41

Have you got a passport?

I have a similar situation to you and applied for my kids in April. They were all back within 2 weeks. Because I have a passport, they didn't need their Dads details. I literally put his name and DOB. They didn't ask for further information or even an explanation.

Original poster
ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:42

Stressfordays · 21/05/2023 10:41

Have you got a passport?

I have a similar situation to you and applied for my kids in April. They were all back within 2 weeks. Because I have a passport, they didn't need their Dads details. I literally put his name and DOB. They didn't ask for further information or even an explanation.

I do and I'm taking it with me next week.

OP posts:
Stressfordays · 21/05/2023 10:44

ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:42

I do and I'm taking it with me next week.

Show quote history

You don't need anything relating to their Dad then. Just your passport number. Stick what info you do have and leave the rest. I was panicking about it before I applied but it was very stress free in the end.

youveturnedupwelldone · 21/05/2023 10:46

You'll be fine without it and it shouldn't cause a huge delay as you've got a passport yourself.

They can trace him from those details that you have anyway - providing a passport number just makes it quicker for them.

Plenty of people apply for a passport for a child when the other parent doesn't have a passport.

Stressfordays · 21/05/2023 10:49

youveturnedupwelldone · 21/05/2023 10:46

You'll be fine without it and it shouldn't cause a huge delay as you've got a passport yourself.

They can trace him from those details that you have anyway - providing a passport number just makes it quicker for them.

Plenty of people apply for a passport for a child when the other parent doesn't have a passport.

I don't think they even trace the other parent. As long as one parent is entitled to a British passport and the child was born in Britain then they are entitled regardless of the other parent.

itsmylife7 · 21/05/2023 10:53

ChildcarePanic · 21/05/2023 10:38

Fairly sure they'll know I'm lying as his dad is on his birth certificate.

Show quote history

Oh 😐

Mariposista · 21/05/2023 11:03

HI OP. My father is on my birth certificate but when I was a child my mum applied for mine with just her details (estranged from father since before birth). That was over 25 years ago, but there was no problem. Just her details were enough.

gogohmm · 21/05/2023 11:04

Show them the court order, in domestic abuse cases they can override the other parent. You aren't the first. Put his details in that you know

frazzledasarock · 21/05/2023 11:09

ex is on my older DC’s birth certificate. When applying for their passports I just ticked don’t know fathers details.

and it was no problem.

GladysHeeler · 21/05/2023 11:10

itsmylife7 · 21/05/2023 10:37

Just tell them you don't know who the father is.
I'm sure there must be genuine situations like this in real life ?

This reminds me of the time I couldn't take my DD's medication through Dubai as it's illegal there and my friend said 'just hide it in your bags'

Yes, drug smuggling through the Middle East. I can't see any issues with that!

BertieBotts · 21/05/2023 11:41

You don't need to lie, you can just omit the father's details that you don't know. Honestly I assume my ex doesn't even have a passport, but he might have one, I suppose it's not completely unlikely that he might have been on holiday in the last 13 years. I've never put his passport number in for DS1 (he's 14 and on his third passport). It was more hassle for the younger two as they were born abroad.

Just put what you know, they will get back to you if they need more info and you can cross that bridge then.

BertieBotts · 21/05/2023 11:44

It might cause a delay if they can't process the application and need to wait for more info. That's the worst that will happen. You can at this point produce the court order and say that you don't have contact for legal reasons.

It's not likely to be a long delay unless there's a back and forth about what is needed. I had this with DS3 but the only time I ever had an issue with DS1 (estranged dad) was when he needed an emergency passport.

dementedpixie · 21/05/2023 11:58

They don't need any more of his details. If you have a British passport and the child's birth certificate and the photos and countersignature then they don't need anything else. You are passing british citizenship to your child so they don't need to know anything else about the father.

T1Dmama · 21/05/2023 12:01

In todays society I’d be surprised if not having dads details makes a huge difference.
I wouldn’t ask Dad again for his details, he’ll be loving the control

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