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Original poster

Passport problems - this can't be normal?

63 replies

EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 19:49

Basically, I've applied online for a first adult passport at age 40+ (mainly for ID as I don't drive). I said I hadn't had a passport before because in my married name I haven't. I wouldn't know what happened to my old passport as I was a child living with my parents when it was last used, so I felt like reporting it lost or stolen after 30 years would be silly.
Evidently not, because I was sent a letter saying they'd found a passport registered to me (in my married name, which is impossible) and I should send them it or report it lost/stolen.
So I reported it lost, sent them that I'd done it in writing as requested.
Now they've sent me a text saying they need another countersignature - and it can't be the person I asked before. The trouble is I don't know anybody else! I had trouble finding that one person.
Now I feel like just asking for my money and documents back and just deal with having no photo ID.
Does everyone have to go through this much to get a passport?

OP posts:

PotterofGryfindor · 30/03/2023 21:30

My dentist counter signed for my last one.

CC4712 · 30/03/2023 21:36

OP- another option is just NOT book with Air BNB!

Many Air BNB are also advertised on booking.com, home away and other sites. Does where ever you want to stay really warrant all the stress? You clearly haven't wanted/needed to go abroad in X amount of years, you don't drive so why the sudden need to have photo ID just for accommodation?

Unless the AirBNB is abroad and I've missed that part?

okaybut · 30/03/2023 21:47

CombatBarbie · 30/03/2023 20:45

I'm Confused, you had a passport as a child and Passport office say you've also had a passport as an adult? But you haven't.... Are you not concerned someone may have gained a passport on your identity? You should challenge that.

I was so confused by this as well, and by the first few pages of posts ignoring it. Who on earth would just go "hmm, don't know why someone else is swanning around with a passport in my name, oh well haha, let me just report it as lost"?!

Staggering bureaucratic incompetence is more probable than identity fraud. There might have been a cock up where OP and someone else (maybe with the same married name and DOB) are being mistaken as the same person.

This could create future problems in terms of admin, border entry to various countries, or even a merry go round of both reporting each other's passports as lost and invalidating the other's passport, etc. Best to try and sort that out now. It could be nothing but just in case, you really don't want to get stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare.

okaybut · 30/03/2023 21:55

And if it is a cock up as above – when the person turns up at some border or government agency wanting to use their passport, they'll be suspected of using a lost/stolen document, and then OP will have to admit she got someone to countersign a lie on an official form (which you mention has lots of questions you couldn't answer and would have to fudge your answers to).

I don't mean to sound alarmist, again it could be absolutely nothing, but I just can't wrap my mind around the can't be arsed-ness / lack of foresight here?

KickboxingWanker · 31/03/2023 05:19

I doubt the passport office would have said she had already had a passport in her married name - they would have said they had record that a passport had previously been issued to her - they would know this from her birth certificate/parents details that she would have needed when she applied this time, plus you put names previously know as on your application. The only reference to her married name would have been at the letter would have been addressed to that name as that is the name she has applied for this passport in.

As she has already had a passport (even as a child) the application changes from a first passport to a renewal, because the original passport has been lost - it is now classed as a replacement which requires extra checks

ReliantRobyn · 31/03/2023 06:11

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 30/03/2023 21:21

I went through a lot more than that to get a first adult passport. Including getting an early morning train to a major city for an interview with a toddler in tow, and being asked to tell them what my parents died from and where they were buried, I had to describe my childhood, the layout of my house, what I studied in my GCSEs, and how I would walk from my house to the nearest post office. Amongst other things. First passports often require an interview as well as countersigning. You are being spared that as it’s a renewal.

I think you've been punk'd

ittakes2 · 31/03/2023 06:15

Your gp service is suitable

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 31/03/2023 06:25

I would ask someone on the school run first, as long as your dd has been going to that school for more than two years. If you have a WhatsApp group just put a message on there. Failing that is there someone who was at your wedding, even if on the groom's side who could sign it? Or friends of your parents who remember you?

Badbudgeter · 31/03/2023 06:30

Do you have children? My kids nursery school teacher did one as she’d known us for years.

dementedpixie · 31/03/2023 06:43

ittakes2 · 31/03/2023 06:15

Your gp service is suitable

No its not unless they know you as a friend

YellowDots · 31/03/2023 06:47

I think you've been punk'd

She hasn't, that's what happens at a passport interview. They are trying to make sure you are who you say you are and that you live where you say you live.

What did you think a passport interview was? Asking you about your suitability for a holiday and discussing what you learned from your previous passport and where you want to travel 'going forward'?

WonderingWanda · 31/03/2023 07:01

I'm a but concerned that you day they for a passport registered in your married name but you say that's impossible. Are you not worried you've been a victim of identify theft? Have they cross checked the photo with your photo?

GrannieD · 31/03/2023 07:40

I've never needed photo ID for Air bnb. Is this a new thing ?

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