Do I need ID to get my child a passport?

[ColourMeGreen]

DS has been offered the opportunity to go to Spain. I have never had a passport and neither has he, I won't be travelling with him, and he needs the passport quite soon so we will be using the 1 week fast track service.

I can see online that I need to make an appointment at the local passport office, and take with me the filled out paper application form, as well as 2 photos of DS (I can't see if these need to be signed or not?) and mine and his birth certificates.

What I'm trying to find out is whether I need to take anything else to confirm my or his identity? I don't have any photo ID of my own, or really much at all with my name on it (a tax credit letter is about all to be honest). Will this be a problem? Does anyone know how it all works? Do I need to take DS with me? Will it be a disaster if I take my 4 and 2 year olds (is there lots of waiting around)?

in the current political situation we are in it would be wise for you to get a passport as well.

Quite easy if you've had no need for a passport or driving/provisional licence

Exactly as tired says, never needed a passport or driving licence. I had an ID card issued by college but it expired in September.

The list I can see online says I need my birth certificate but doesn't actually mention needing those of my parents.

Definitely call HMPO tomorrow. I work with passports daily in my job (I don't work for HMPO) and they definitely told me for a child's first passport who had parents born after 1982 then you needed all that extra documentation. However I know people have done it online without the extra documentation. I know definitely you need long birth certificates so double check yours OP. Most people were issued short ones.

I'm going to call them tomorrow, I definitely have long versions of birth certificates.

The list I can see online says I need my birth certificate but doesn't actually mention needing those of my parents.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-for-a-passport

pg. 17: "About grandparents:
If the applicant’s parents were born on or after 1 January 1983, you will also need to provide evidence of grandparents’ claim to British nationality by providing their birth certificates and, in the case of grandfathers, their marriage certificates.
This does not apply if:

• the applicants parents’ British nationality is based on registration, naturalisation or their immigration status, or
• the applicant has provided the British passport number for parents’ in Section 4 of the application form."

Phone them. They are very helpful.

The notes say this in a little purple box:

About grandparents: If the applicant’s parents were born on or after 1 January 1983 (this is you and the father), you will also need to provide evidence of grandparents’ claim to British nationality by providing their birth certificates and, in the case of grandfathers, their marriage certificates.

This does not apply if:
the applicants parents’ British nationality is based on registration, naturalisation or their immigration status,
or the applicant has provided the British passport number for parents’ in Section 4 of the application form.