What's the best way to help a parent with a passport

[TrayofRoses]

My mother is aging in her 70s. Her passport is out of date approx 2 years. She asked me to help her renew it.

So I know there are two ways to do it now. The old fashioned way of getting the paper application or online. My mother never learned how to use the internet or technology but either way she wants me to help her.

I remember the first time she was doing the passport about 2014 approx, she gave me a picture that would have been taken in the 70s or 80e when she was in her 20s or 30s. Even though she would have been in her 60s. That was a difficult situation. She was insisting on using that old picture but it just wasn't suitable.

A few years ago she needed help with updating another personal government type of ID. I don't know what it is. I can't remember the exact date as such. If it was 2022 or 2023 or even in the years before that. It was difficult for her to get pictures. She had to go to the pharmacy a few times to get pictures because they were not suitable - she was smiling, she wasn't looking at the camera, she had hair in her face, etc. It took her a few times.

Anyways I suggested her get some new pictures but she is insisting on using whatever pictures she already has. I don't know if they are 4 or 5 years old or older.

I a passport picture from recent times is what's needed.

Do I insist that she gets new pictures? Or do I use an older picture.

I briefly looked in my email but I am not able to find a link to an online passport picture from before.

She might produce a physical cope of a passport picture and want me take a picture of it on my phone. I don't know.

So what is the best way to move forward with this? Does she need an updated picture? I think she wants me to do it online for her.

OP, your mum will need a new photo. Is there a Max Spielman place anywhere nearby? I went there - they took the photo, dealt with all the online stuff, sent off my expired passport, and I didn't need to worry about anything. They charged me £30 to do all that, so with the cost of the new passport, it wasn't cheap - but worth it. The Post Office will do all that, too (not sure what they charge), but you'll need to make an appointment.

I always use max spielman. They give you a code to attach to the application but you then have to use the code within a short time.

I'd stop helping her if she's going to argue. A passport picture has to look like her and someone signs it off to say it looks like her. Does she want to use a picture that looks like she does now?

I found it so easy - Snappy Snaps took the photo and sent it off to the passport office with a code so it didn't need to be verified. I did it online in minutes and it arrived very quickly.

I second the fact that it's really worth keeping a valid passport for ID purposes even if you have no intention of travelling. I accompanied my elderly father to the Max Spielmanns in the local large Tescos and they handled the entire application - took the photo, completed the application form and posted it off. I can't remember how much the charged but it was much simpler.

Some post offices do a "passport check & send process"

Yes she will need a new photo

No, that won’t work at all. if she is well enough to travel abroad she is well enough to understand the photo rules - and she needs to accept that she cannot insist on using an old photo, she needs to follow the rules. You need to be firm with her.