How long to get a newborn passport?

[GinotPrigio]

DC2 is due in January and all being good we are hoping to travel to a friend's wedding abroad 4 weeks after my due date (only an hours flight). DC1 was a week overdue so I am a bit nervous about cutting it fine.

If we register DC2 as soon as possible after s/he is born, how quickly do you think we could get him or her a passport? Its been 2 years since I applied for DC1's passport and can't remember how long that took.

Thanks!

At least 3 weeks according to the government website, and you can't do the apply in person thing for a first passport. - I don't know in practise though.

Depends where you're going, as the baby may be able to travel on your passport. However, newborns are only allowed to fly from 2 weeks old...

My dd's first passport beat her birth certificate back through the post! It was about 10 days if I remember correctly.

We got the birth cert & then made an appointment at the Liverpool office over the phone (the number is on the passport form).

They said it would take 7 days & it arrived 2 days later even though the appointment had been in the afternoon.

We took the form & photos all countersigned with us. It took longer to get through security! Although the appointment was for a half hour slot.

Oh, they said we couldn't take DD in with me to the appointment so I took someone to mind her. Although there were loads of people with DC at the counters

Anyway, call the passport folks & see what they advise

Good luck!

Your best bet is to book in for a Fast track appointment.

Wait until the baby is born, call and make an appointment. You'll need to take along your completed form, 2 photos (one countersigned) the full birth certificate and the fee - £87.

It took us 7 days to get DD's passport. She was 5 days old in her passport photo. She's got a lovely cone head in that photo. We flew with her when she was 21 days old.

Good luck!

I don't think it's a very busy time in January so you might be lucky. If you go 2 weeks overdue, chances are that your baby will be to young to fly though.

Thanks for all the advice. I don't have a British passport so I'm not sure if baby would be allowed through on my passport. Will speak to my local office and see what they recommend.

I know there's a chance I won't be able to go if baby is overdue but fingers crossed it all goes to plan and we can go. Really don't want to miss my best friend's wedding.

i used to work on passport helpline. quickest way for first passport is by making an appt in your nearest passport office for the one week fast track service. though you will be told 7 days it may come before then, but they arent allowed to tell you that as will depend on how busy that office is at the time but with being january and everyone skint lol i shouldnt think it would be a problem.
baby will def need own passport though, they no longer include babies/children on parents passports.