DD Signed passport incorrectly

[Tatapie]

Below the line not on it! Argh! She doesn't travel for a while, should I replace it or will it be OK? Going to South Africa. What a numpty !!!

I got the Post Office to check my DDs forms before sending and they pointed this out - her signature had flourished its way out of the box. We had to start again with new forms.

I signed mine underneath the line last year. Phoned the passport advice number and they said it’s still a valid passport. Have used it many times including going to America etc and it has been absolutely fine.

@Ferretyone mine was issued under two years ago and required me to sign it. Digital signatures were pulled in 2016 I think.

Bronte I'd rather unsigned than signed incorrectly tho.

Others who don't understand, no paper involved in online application- therefore you get an email saying this.

Apparently my pointing wasn't specific enough and DD thought the space below the line looked the obvious place to put it! And I wasn't allowed to look as I was putting her off!

I still don't understand this as if it is a new UK passport the signature is put on the document electronically and under the plastic to prevent any tampering!

No, it's not.

OP I would definitely call them and ask.

DS used his to travel to Poland when he was 15 on a club trip. It wasn't signed. A few weeks later the bank refused it as ID and then rather bizarrely wouldn't let him sign it during the appointment and made us rebook for a week later!

@hundred - that's reassuring thanks
@Ferretyone - not yet!!!

I know exactly what you mean, OP because my Dd did exactly the same!!!
It was fine we've been abroad a couple of times since and it was all okay. We even came back through the automated check thing and hers was fine.

It's not exactly clear where to sign, it almost looks like a box under the line.

It’s madness that they get an 11 year old (potentially) to sign. What 11 year old has a signature? And even if you do it will change as you get older.

Thanks. I'm coming round to thinking it will be fine but will definitely phone to check and will report back!

Child passports only last 5 years anyway so they can sign the new one with their updated signature

Tatapie It will be fine. I used to teach the checking of passports (including this most recent style) and it will be acceptable. You'd be amazed how many people get away with travelling without signing it at all. The signature is used as a last resort if the rest of the checks don't add up. If she looks like her picture it's really not a problem.

My passport was unsigned for many years and trips without me realising!

It doesn’t actually say signature on, above or below. It just says signature so I would have thought as long as it’s in the vicinity then it should be fine. It is a bit daft to expect an 11yo to sign something like that though. I recently sat my provision driving test (32 yo) got my provisional when I was 17 and never updated the signature when I renewed it. It took several attempts to get it to match on the day of the test I’m surprised they even let me do it to be honest

Dd did the exact same thing last year - signed under the line. I phoned passport office and they said it should be ok but they couldn’t guarantee it. I ended up paying for a new one as she was going to be travelling without me and I would have worried about it. Expensive mistake.

Will be fine. Mine is under line too. Never been mentioned when l fly.

@nicky2512 yes it does

@nicky2512 sorry that was for @BohoBunney

I forgot to sign mine, but I’m sure I travelled a billion miles before border force told me I hadn’t signed it. Oops!
Yeah, just give them a ring tomorrow. I don’t think it’d be that big an issue tbh. It’s probably a bit jobsworthy if it is.

Phoned the passport advice line & they said :
it is still valid for travel.
It may lead to a question at border control but is still valid.
Do not sign anywhere else!
If worried and want a new one it's a new application online with new photos and apply for a replacement for a damaged passport.
Going to think about it!

I really wouldn't bother getting another one - there must be thousands of people who have signed it in the wrong place.

You are over thinking it you don't need to apply for a new one that was the last resort but it will be fine.

My partner accidentally signed in blue never had any issues (yet) and we travelled abroad most recently in December. You should be fine

Just phone the passport office, they will know better then mumsnet

I am grateful for all the updates and information and for the relief of my confusion. My PP certainly is untamperable!

Thanks to all.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Just phone the passport office, they will know better then mumsnet

Erm maybe RTFT