Merged to exising topic which contains lots of information.

Mark

Thanks.

I wonder if anyone can help me.

I am off to Turkey on the 14th July, and one of the other people going has never had a passport before. At the time of booking, it wasn't made clear to me that she had to get her first passport, I thought she had to get it renewed.

Anyway, it turns out she has to get her first passport. IPS say to allow 6 weeks. She sent it 2 weeks ago, and we travel in 2 weeks. I have spoken to them, but they say there's no way of fast tracking them anymore, and we'll just have to wait and hope. She sent it through the Post Office's check and send service, who strangely told her 2 weeks, but I'm pretty sure they were getting muddled with renewing passports.

Has anyone had a first passport back within 4 weeks? Or will she just have to accept it's not going to be here and she won't be able to come?

Thanks.

If this is her first passport it won't be issued without her first being interviewed. Has she been for this yet or at least been given a date for it? If she hasn't, then I doubt that she'll be interviewed in time for it to be issued before the 14th. Once the interview has taken place she might have a chance of getting the actual issuing of it fast-tracked but 6 weeks from to start to finish sounds about right.

SM

No, it's not illegal to photocopy a passport.

Erm, actually, it is"¦.there are certain conditions where you can copy your passport and it has to be in black and white only, with no photo content and for record keeping purposes only.
Sticking your passport under the scanner and making a colour copy is (as far as I know) def illegal.

Permission is given to solicitors, banks and government depts, but the same rules apply IE: black and white and for information/record purposes only.

Taking colour photocopies of a passport can be illegal.

Taking colour photocopies of your passport is illegal.

It's a big can of worms but nothing to be worried about if done for the right reasons.

You can say that again.
click here

Sanjiiiiiiiiiiiii

I don't think all new passport applicants are interviewed. The adverts last year stated that you may have to attend an interview not that you must.

There was a member last year whose daughter was waiting for her first passport which didn't arrive in time for her to travel with the family, but I think she received it within about 3 weeks and she travelled out to join the family for the second week.

luci

All first time adult passports applicants must attend an interview.

There are a very few exceptions (medical exemption etc) but those apart, every adult must attend.

The adverts last year were due to not all interview offices being open, now everyone must attend. (Bar those very few exceptions).

Clownboy wrote:

All first time adult passports applicants must attend an interview.

There are a very few exceptions (medical exemption etc) but those apart, every adult must attend.

The adverts last year were due to not all interview offices being open, now everyone must attend. (Bar those very few exceptions).

Hi Clownboy ... must all first time adult passport applicants attend an interview, or is it not still the case that those who previously held a child passport do not require an interview ?

David
EDIT: Clownboy seems to have gone offline, but THIS page of the IPS website appears to confirm that adults who have previously held a child passport need not attend an interview.

Yes, David, sorry.

My wording was ambiguous then.

As you state, adults who held child passports need not go for interview.

My bad.

Thanks Clownboy, just wanted to make sure that was still the case.

David

Hi again,

Well, she has not previously held a child passport, so I'm presuming she will have to go for an interview.

She has had her birth certificate back from them, so I presume they are looking at it, but with only 8 working days until we fly (14th July), it isn't looking hopeful.

She is phoning the ips on a daily basis, but they said that it was waiting to be checked yesterday, but why would they have sent her birth certificate back already if they hadn't checked it?

Anyway, she sent the application in with 4 weeks to go before the holiday, so maybe she'll just have to hope and pray for a miracle.

Hi everyone, need some advice please

I have read several threads here, on other forums and also the IPS website about first adult passport, basically the query i have is how realistic is the 6 weeks timescale for a first passport.

A group of us have booked a last minute holiday but unfortunately one adult does not have a passport we are due to fly out on the 18th July 2008 and we did the passport via the post office check and send on the 24th June 2008...but i'm starting to panic now i really pray and hope the passport is here in time as the adult without the passport has had a few rough years battling cancer and i just think a break away will do her the world of good and lift her spirits enourmously.

Any advice greatly appreciated x

hi ,i was wondering if anyone knows what happens at these interviews for first time passport applications. my sister has just got her appointment for her interview and she is really nervous (hates interviews and gets in a pickle!!!) if anyone has any infor it would be greatly appreciated. (sorry if this has been asked already,i havnt read through the whole thread) regards sue

Mazz99
That's a difficult one. From the dates you have quoted, it seems that your friend has allowed just a little over 3 weeks for the application to be processed, rather than the 6 weeks which are recommended. I assume from what you say that this is her first ever passport and not just her first adult passport. Once her application has been checked and verified by the IPS, she should receive a letter inviting her to arrange an interview. Has she received that yet ?

missp
Interviews are intended to reduce or prevent identity theft and I believe the interview process itself is pretty painless. From the application and information obtained from other sources, the IPS will be able to put certain questions which should be answered fairly easily by a genuine applicant, but with difficulty by anyone engaged in attempted identity theft.

David

Hi David

Thanks for the speedy reply, she phoned the passport office this morning and they said there was a letter in the post about arranging an interview and the nice chap gave her the refrence number and the telephone number to contact the office to arrange an interview. She managed to get an interview for next Thursday just not sure what or how long it takes after the interview.

Many Thanks In Advance x

We are due to fly out from Gatwick at 10.00 am on Thursday. My son-in-law has realised that his passport is lost.

He has made an appointment at the passport office in London for 10.45 on Wednesday for the "premium service".

We have spoken to them and they say there is absolutely no guarantee that they will be able to get him a new passport for that day. The lady on the phone said that it sometimes depends on how helpful, the member of staff at the passport office are.

As we are going to the Dominican Republic, it will be very difficult to get another flight.

Has anyone had this experience at such a late hour? Obviously him and my daughter are devistated, in case he won't be able to travel.

Any advice is welcome please.

Lorraine

Hi Lorraine ... what an unfortunate situation to be in at this late stage.

You say that your son in law has arranged an interview under the Premium Service, which is a guaranteed same day service. However, that service is not available for the replacement of lost or stolen passports. Urgent replacement in those circumstances is dealt with under the Fast Track Service, which only guarantees delivery within a week of appointment.

The speed of processing will not just depend on how much pressure the IPS are under at the moment, it may also depend on the accuracy of the application and supporting documentation, which will enable them to verify his status and eligibility. Your son in law will need to ensure that all paperwork and photos are completely in order, if he is to avoid a wasted appointment and a delay to his application.

It may be worth looking at the terms of your travel insurance, to see if any cover is provided for additional expenses or booking alterations related to the loss or theft of a passport before departure.

If there is any suspicion that the passport has been stolen, it should also be reported to the police.

Good luck, please keep us informed.

David

hi

i've changed my name via deed poll and need a new passport reflecting my new name , i have the supporting documents and photo's , do i need a countersignatory for the form or photos as i cant seem to find a definitive answer.

thanks.

Hi tannis ... according to the IPS, you do not need a counter signatory if the application is related to a change of name by marriage, civil partnership, or deed poll, unless your appearance has changed significantly since the previous passport was issued. More info on name changes HERE.

David