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Original poster

Sending one supporting documents for two passports applications

27 replies

Missboo1 · 10/02/2022 11:59

Hi all

Does anyone know if the passport office will accept one birth certificate (of parent) to support two applications for my two sons first passports?

I did find a gov UK webpage which said this was possible if both reference numbers are on the envelope but I can find that page now to double check.

The actual applications are online ones, not paper ones.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Glittertwins · 10/02/2022 12:06

If you need to send the supporting document in the post, you will probably have to wait. Each passport application is given its own unique reference number to be addressed to and even if you applied online one right after the other, there is no guarantee that they are to be sent to the same office. I got Bootle then Peterborough for mine.

dementedpixie · 10/02/2022 12:08

When I did 3 renewals they all went to separate passport offices. Might be best doing one at a time

Original poster
Missboo1 · 10/02/2022 12:09

Thank you for the response. I have checked and luckily they are the same office! (Both Bootle) Will it be ok in that instance?

OP posts:
Glittertwins · 10/02/2022 12:11

You got lucky there but I'd still wait as they tie the reference number to the application. They won't want the responsibility of passing that piece of paper to the right area so if wait for it to come back and then resend

CrushedPistachios · 10/02/2022 12:11

Will you be posting the documents? If you enclose both applications in the same special delivery envelope with the ID then it will be clear to whoever processes it to keep them together.

Inspectorslack · 10/02/2022 12:12

I’d get a duplicate certificate. From memory it’s only about £15.

dementedpixie · 10/02/2022 12:12

Why are you sending your birth certificate?
Do you not have a UK passport?

dementedpixie · 10/02/2022 12:21

If you have provided your passport number then you don't need to send your birth certificate as you are using that show you are a British citizen and can pass your citizenship to your children

From the passport notes:

Evidence of applicant’s parents’ claim to British nationality at the time of applicant’s birth

This could be:

Parents’ British passport number (provided at section 4 of the application form)

Original poster
Missboo1 · 10/02/2022 12:34

Thanks for your advice everyone. I don't have a UK passport, but have a UK birth certificate. I made the online application for my sons with me as the parent. My husband has a UK passport.

I don't know if it has prompted me for documents to send as I don't have a UK passport but on the list of document to support I have been asked for a birth certificate, adoption certificate or naturalisation certificate.

Because my birth certificate is in my maiden name I thought it would be easier to send my husband's certificate as he obviously has the same surname as my sons( my married name).

I guess I could send my certificate for one child and his certificate for another but wasn't sure if the different names would cause an issue

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 10/02/2022 12:37

You should have put your husband as the one doing the application if he has the British passport. Would have made things simpler. Yes you'll need to send your birth certificate as you dont have a UK passport. You'd then probably need to send your marriage certificate too.

TheCanyon · 10/02/2022 12:49

We have twins and when we were doing theirs I phoned to ask what to do, they said just to put them in the same envelope with each application folded over their b.c and photos iykwim.

dementedpixie · 10/02/2022 12:51

Online applications don't have an application form or photos to be sent. OP is just sending supporting documents and it's her own birth certificate she's sending as well as theirs.

ChicCroissant · 10/02/2022 13:10

@dementedpixie

You should have put your husband as the one doing the application if he has the British passport. Would have made things simpler. Yes you'll need to send your birth certificate as you dont have a UK passport. You'd then probably need to send your marriage certificate too.
We did this, my passport was out of date so my DH applied for DD's first passport. It was a while ago now and I think we did it through the Post Office check and send, so they checked any documentation and the photos.
Jojann84 · 29/06/2022 19:03

Hi, can I ask if you successfully sent one birth certificate for both applications? I'm in the same boat now as I've lost my birth certificate and the records office say they have a backlog 🙄 and it may take weeks for a copy. Hoping to send my husband's certificate for 2 of our children's applications!
Thanks in advance

Mzpearce · 25/08/2022 13:29

Hi there. I was just wondering what you did in the end? I have two passports applications at the same place and need to send in evidence.
I was planning on sending them together and quoting the application references both on the envelopes and inside?

thanks in advance!!

Shihtzulover · 08/02/2023 22:08

Just in case anyone wants the correct answer - yes if part of a family or couple you can send all docs together to any of the addresses provided. You just need to put all application references on the front of the envelope above the address.

Howabsolutelyfanfuckingtastic · 09/02/2023 15:12

Shihtzulover · 08/02/2023 22:08

Just in case anyone wants the correct answer - yes if part of a family or couple you can send all docs together to any of the addresses provided. You just need to put all application references on the front of the envelope above the address.

That's what I done with ours, we needed 7 passports and I just picked one office to send all the documents to. It was fine, there's no need to send documents to different offices for each passport.

Sara850 · 28/03/2023 20:03

Hey, I just wondered how they go about sending and updating info on the passports. Did they all come back individually? I have applied online for my 2 children's passports, sent off supporting documents in one envelope put reference numbers on front of envoy as it stated, both had diffgot addresses to send to but i sent to one. I got continuous updates for one passport application but nothing for the other, have received one passport at present. No updated info for the other one. A little worried 😟

Holstar456 · 30/03/2023 12:20

I am currently going through the exact same thing. I returned both of my sons old passports in the same envelope and one is being processed and updated nicely but my other sons still says "send us your old passport". I have called them and been told the documents (both passports) would have been allocated to just one application and then they have to "link" the two together which takes some time. But I am unsure if this is really correct and I am indeed panicking too 😬I wish I had sent them separately now

ItCouldBeWrong · 07/06/2023 11:53

Holstar456 · 30/03/2023 12:20

I am currently going through the exact same thing. I returned both of my sons old passports in the same envelope and one is being processed and updated nicely but my other sons still says "send us your old passport". I have called them and been told the documents (both passports) would have been allocated to just one application and then they have to "link" the two together which takes some time. But I am unsure if this is really correct and I am indeed panicking too 😬I wish I had sent them separately now

Did you get the second child's passport? I have the same issue now and one of the family's passport application still says send us your documents even though they were all in the same envelope

NCowin93 · 14/06/2023 16:17

Hi just wondering what the outcome of this was please? 🙂
Applied for my newborns passport and my renewal at same time after getting married and changing last name.
Sent supporting docs (marriage and birth certificate) to one address (it was the same address for us both anyway)
Put a cover letter in envelope with both application numbers on and explanation of docs enclosed.
My online application states my docs have been received but still says send docs on my sons online application.
Bit worried!!

NCowin93 · 14/06/2023 16:27

Same as me! Just wondering if this was resolved at all
Any advice much appreciated 🙂

ItCouldBeWrong · 14/06/2023 20:45

Mine was updated and marked as received the next day. A week or so later they were all marked as approved, my approval came through hours later. All printed and received at the same time.

LWat · 10/08/2023 19:40

NCowin93 what was the outcome of this please as I’m in the exact same situation regarding baby’s first passport and me changing my surname on renewal? Was going to send all docs together like you did.

NCowin93 · 12/08/2023 08:26

Hi, sent them all together after being told to do so over the phone. My passport quickly changed online and I received my pretty quickly. Newborns changed online about a week later and passport arrive about a week after mine.

Put a cover letter in the envelope with both passport ref numbers explaining changes 😊 we did this and all seemed okay x it's just the linking up of the passports which takes a little while xxx