Applying for a child's first passport

[Zigzag99]

I've read its cheaper to apply for a passport online.
Can you apply for a child's first passport online and if so do you need to have access to a printer?
How does someone verify their identity online?
Thank you.

www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport

ID wise they confirm your identity rather than the child’s, they must have know you for at least two years and be in the relevant occupation etc to sign a passport. When we applied they send you the copy in the post once you’ve filled basic details in however that might have changed

Link here

You just fill in the application online then send off documents by post.

Yes you can apply for a first passport online. In the past you used to have to print off a declaration but looking at the application now you provide an email address for the countersignstory instead and the passport people contact them that way. Photos are uploaded using your phone so no photos to sign either

Yes you can, yes you do. The photos get sent in the post.

We did ours last year, 2 first kids, a first adult and an expired adult renewal.

All done online, had to print out the forms to be countersigned, send off birth certificates and photos to be verified.

Adult first had a 10 minute interview in the local library but the rest went through without question. All received within 3 weeks.

The process had changed, you don't need to print anything and photos are uploaded by phone

You do not have to print anything or post photos.

I did 3 renewals this year and the process had changed from the last time I did them. Photos are uploaded, no printing required. Just need to send required documents

lozenge photos don’t go in the post, you take and send them on your phone or device or send the code from a digital copy of snappy snaps or similar.

Op is asking about a first child passport, not a renewal, so some of you are giving incorrect information.

For a first child passport, you do need to send photographs in the post which must be countersigned. The person counter signing has to sign the documents you have printed out, as well as the pictures.

Hi, I have just applied for my baby son’s first passport and uploaded a photo online - you do not need to send any photos off, I did it a few weeks ago. The verification is done via email so no signature required. It’s very easy and you don’t need a printer. But you do still need to send the birth certificate off as proof of identity via the post. I found it very straightforward and was pleasantly surprised.

AllTheCakes did you read the link given? You upload photos and countersignatory is done by email even for a first passport

Allthecakes

It's really easy using the new online process, just renewed both my DCs passports this way. You just need to know the email address of the person who can verify the identity and forewarn them that they will get a message to act on.

I stand corrected. I have only recently applied for a first child passport and had to get the photos signed so the process has only changed very recently!

This sounds great and must be really recent. I applied for my son s first passport in September and it wasn't an option. Got his passport in a week or so anyways so it was very quick

Thanks everyone, you've been really helpful. I'll have a go later and see how I get on.
From what you've all said it seems like the process is changing all the time.

I applied for my baby’s first passport in March. I had to do part of the application online, then print it. Then that, along with the counter signed photographs all had to be posted off.
Things must have moved on since start of March.

All these people giving their different opinions on what they think you have to do (most of which are wrong).

MN is great but surely for stuff like this, don’t you just Google? [confused)

Err most people are quite correctly saying that you apply online. As stated on the relevant gov website here....

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/first-child-passport

How is your comment helpful? You don't even point out which information you think is wrong.

@MrsCholly I already posted above with a link.

Lots of people saying to post photos, print forms, etc.

My point was that is you have access to MN and therefore the internet I don’t understand for something like this which doesn’t need opinions, just facts, why you wouldn’t just Google and look at the up to date info for yourself.

No offence to OP, just curious.

MuttsNutts, I did Google but couldn't find anything about needing to print so that's why I asked Mumsnet. I will be applying using my mobile and don't have access to a printer.
I didn't want to get to the end of the application and then find I couldn't complete it.

I couldn’t find any info on this either, zigzag.
Sorry I supplied you with incorrect and out of date information. Hope you manage to apply without any problems.

Don't worry lozengeoflove, I have managed to apply online so thought I would let you all know how I got on.
It took about 10 minutes to compete the application. I downloaded a photo from my mobile and there was no printing involved. All I have to do is send my ds birth certificate in the post once identity has been confirmed online. I should have his passport in about 3 weeks.
Renewing my dh passport was even easier. Took about 5 minutes and again no printing involved. Downloaded his photo from my mobile and just need to send his old passport in the post. They don't scan your signature on the passport anymore, you just sign it when you receive it.