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Original poster

baby's first passport

55 replies

J2O · 31/05/2008 10:14

i applied online and they've sent me it all back for the photos and to be signed etc, do i need to get it countersigned for a baby? does it need to be someone that's known me for 2 years?

what exactly do i need to send?

tia

OP posts:
Elmosgirl · 31/05/2008 10:15

Yes you will need to get it countersigned by someone who has know you for two years.

Nagapie · 31/05/2008 10:17

I think you need to get it countersigned - section of the form and one of the photos needs to be endorsed with a signature...

Do you have the instructions that are included with the appication - it is pretty clear on there what needs to be done...?

Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 10:19

yes have read the instructions but i must not be reading properly as i still can't work it out! [dumb blonde emotiocom!]

OP posts:
Nagapie · 31/05/2008 10:19

here

spicemonster · 31/05/2008 10:20

It has to be someone who's known you and is in a professional position - like accountant, lawyer, doctor, teacher etc.

ChippyMinton · 31/05/2008 10:21

The photos must be countersigned by someone who has known you for two years. They also need to fill in the last page of the form and include their own passport number.

Ambi · 31/05/2008 10:22

also the full birth certificate, ( the one you pay for). After much faffing with the passport application, ie I was in the photo - though how a 12week baby is supposed to support itself in those booths I'm not sure. The passport finally arrived this week. (relief!)
Hope you don't have as many probs,

Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 10:22

si need to send los birth certificate and also mine? the father doesn't come into it

OP posts:
Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 10:23

oh nightmare ambi, glad you got it sorted eventually

OP posts:
Ambi · 31/05/2008 10:23

my boss counter signed mine, as doctors sometimes charge for them.

Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 10:24

i should be ok to find someone to sign it i think

OP posts:
Ambi · 31/05/2008 10:25

no, just baby's.
When we registered the birth, the full birth certificate was an optional extra, and some people may not have paid for it which will cause problems when applying for a passport.

PortAndLemon · 31/05/2008 10:27

I think that if you already have a British passport, and have given them the number, then you don't need to send in your birth certificate (just the baby's).

Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 10:31

OK thanks

so i need;
completed form
2 photos-1 signed
lo's birth certificate

i have give them my passport number so i don't need to send that?
is that everything?

OP posts:
Nagapie · 31/05/2008 10:34

Don't need to send your passport..

What you have listed above sounds right. (You will also have to get your counter signatory to fill in the section and give over their UK passport number). If you have a post office nearby and you don't mind jobsworths, for a small fee, they will check over your forms and will tell you if all is in order...

Original poster
J2O · 31/05/2008 12:18

Great, thank you for all for your help

OP posts:
biscuitsmustbedunkedintea · 01/06/2008 16:54

The Post Office checking fee is worth paying, as we took our own photos and got an online company to check they were suitable (they were mentioned in Mother and Baby mag as being a useful company), the company said they were ok, and printed 4 photos for us. However the PO told us they wouldn't be accepted as her eyes weren't high enough up the photo (thye have a clever device which fites over outline of photos and shows where things should line up IYSIM.) So it saved us the fee of sending off her passport twice.

Got the photos done at a local developing shop, kinda hole in the wall place. Sat dd on my lap, they placed a large sheet of white card behind her, and took a very nice shot of her.

Original poster
J2O · 01/06/2008 20:50

thank you biscuit

OP posts:
moocowmrs · 01/06/2008 20:57

I took our DD to Jessops they laid her on a special cushion on the floor and then stood over her to take the picture, very nice and helpful ! they lady at the post office checked the photographs etc and got the passport back really quickly !!

Can't belive though that it is going to last 5 years which it does she is only 5mo now !!

Original poster
J2O · 01/06/2008 21:25

ooh thank you, will try and find a jessops

OP posts:
sunshineonarainyday · 01/06/2008 21:32

We used www.paspic.com when we recently applied for my DS's (23 months) first passport.

You take the photo of your child yourself using a digital camera (really good clear instructions on how to take a photo of baby/toddler on the website, then you upload it and in a few seconds it tells you whether it is acceptable. If it is you can pay there and then (approx £3) and they send 4 passport size photos in the post within 48 hours.

Brilliant and soooo easy!! Definitely recommend.

JoshandJamie · 02/06/2008 07:03

Definitely use www.paspic.com. I used it for my son. It was a million times easier than taking our first DS to a shop.

Original poster
J2O · 02/06/2008 09:50

Oh thank you, that should e easier apart from my didgital camera is rubbish, will try and get a good one!

OP posts:
BexieID · 02/06/2008 11:01

I need to get Tom a passport and renew mine, although it looks like I will need to apply for a new one as you only get 9 months to renew an old passport! Can adults use that paspic site for their passport photos? The only reason, other than not having £72, is I just haven't had chance to get my photo done!

prettybird · 02/06/2008 11:07

Tip for taking a picutre of a young baby: lay them on a double bed which has a white sheet on it. Stand over them and take the picure with a digital camera. Crop until it is the right size/just head and shoulders as appropriate.