Passport question

[Gray]

I've got a Passport form sitting on my desk way back from the beginning of November 04, so coming upto around 3months old.

Its still incompleted at the moment, but im going to probably be completing it sometime soon, but is there an expiration date as to when the passport picture gets signed/form gets send to send it in?

3months for a picture isnt really that long, but i dont know if they would get stroppy over it or something

Hmm?

 

[leggy]

You can have a passport in a few hours. So I doubt anyone will give a fuck. If you actually intend to use it, send it away now. If not then sit in brookside and wait until an opportunity arises.

 

[Tom]

Gray, the passport office is in Liverpool, it will probably be easier just to drive over there and get one.

I wouldn't use the form you have, it may have changed in those 3 months. You can get them from the post office.

 

[leggy]

That's what I meant to say Tom. But I was under the influence.

 

[Gray]

I see....

But the one im curious about is the actual reference type photograph/s, they require another person whom youve know for 2 years (??) to sign the form and/or the photos

Is that required for going directly to the Passport office?

 

[djpringle]

It's required for both, not sure about the time scale but if it still looks like you it should be fine

 

[Paradroid]

Ta da!!!!!!!!

Never fear, Paradroids here to sort out your passport queries! (Since I work at the passport office, I may be able to give you some advice)

Gray, if this is a first time passport (ie you don't currently have one that you need to renew), then you cannot get the express (Premium) service! You will not be able to get a passport in a few hours if it's your first passport.

The Passport office only has 3 different services available to customers:
Standard - target 10 working days (maybe 2/3 weeks)
Fast Track - 7 day postal return, or, 5 day collection service (extra monies)
Premium - 4 hour return (only available for renewal applications...and mucho extra)

NB you have to make an appointment for Fast Track and Premium services.

You can certainly go to the Liverpool office and submit your application but the only services you'll get are a target 10 working-day return, or pay extra for a Fast Track service. But before you just drop-in to the Liverpool office, you'll need to phone for an appointment (advice line: 0870 521 0410)....which is a drastic shift in how we deal with the public (you can still drop-in for advice and hand-deliver your forms etc - but no one will actually deal with your application unless you have an appointment).

Regarding your application form, and photo, with signatures (it does sound like a first time application) - nothing radical has changed in the last few months to void your photo or form. Every once in a while we'll change the form (with new stuff), but we're curently on form SE04 (which you should have). As long as the same person who countersigned your form has signed one of your photos "I certify blah blah blah", that's fine.

The only thing to be aware of is the dates that both you and the countersignature used, the date of the countersignature must be on, or after, your declaration date...otherwise it looks like they countersigned a blank form - and you could have just made up the details afterwards.

If anyones interested, the passport office is going down the online route - but only currently for completing the form (it's sent out to you at home for signing & dating). I just passed up a possibile chance to work on this project last week - 'cause it meant travelling to London every week for a few days....nah!

 

[Chilly]

so Paradroid.....how much you selling passports for?

 

[echo]

Is it a so-called professional person that has to sign, still? What counts as one of them, then? I'm after a first passport for this year's holiday..

 

[Chilly]

doctor, most legal professions, teachers...um....professors probably count (but they teachers anyway), the police i am sure could do it if you know any, cant think of any more. you can probably find one of those from people you know

 

[Gray]

From the Passports website:

* Accountant
* Articled Clerk of a Limited Company
* Assurance Agent of Recognised Company
* Bank/Building Society Official
* Barrister
* Broker
* Chairman/Director of Limited Company
* Chemist
* Chiropodist
* Christian Science Practitioner
* Commissioner of Oaths
* Councillor: Local or County
* Civil Servant (permanent)
* Dentist
* Engineer (with professional Qualifications)
* Fire Service Official
* Funeral Director
* Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised Company
* Journalist
* Justice of the Peace
* Legal Secretary (members and fellows of the Institute of legal secretaries)
* Local Government Officer
* Manager/Personnel Officer (of Limited Company)
* Member of Parliament
* Merchant Navy Officer
* Minister of a recognised religion
* Nurse (SRN and SEN)
* Officer of the armed services (Active or Retired)
* Optician
* Person with Honours (eg OBE MBE etc)
* Photographer (Professional)
* Police Officer
* Post Office Official
* President/Secretary of a recognised organisation
* Salvation Army Officer
* Social Worker
* Solicitor
* Surveyor
* Teacher, Lecturer
* Trade Union Officer
* Travel Agency (Qualified)
* Valuers and auctioneers (fellow and associate members of the incorporated society)
* Warrant officers and Chief Petty Officers

 

[Gray]

Back to this thread now, im finally going ahead with it as i feel i have completed the actual form.

Perhaps someone like Paradroid will be able to make sure its all correct, right here goes...

Unit One > Marked "This is my first Passport"
Unit Two > Passport is for myself, have given full details, name address, date of birth, telephone number and email address.
Unit Three > Missed out
Unit Four (A) > Yes, i was born after 21st December 1982
(B) > No, i was not born outside the UK. Gave mother/father date of birth, nationality and marriage date as requested.
Unit Five / Six / Seven / Eight missed out
Unit Nine > Signed and dated (Albeit was signed on 18/10/2004)
Unit Ten > My old manager signed this and gave full details (Albeit signed 05/11/2004)

Now that is the form completed, but...

I was reading through Unit Four and it said if i was born after 1982 id need to provide details on proof. So, do i just copy my Birth Certificate which has what they require? And do i just place it in with my picture(s), Passport Form and payment form?

On the Payment form it asks for a "Barcode" number, what is this number? Is it on Credit Cards?

Im sure i have a few more questions but unsure.

 

[Cask]

Ta da!!!!!!!!

Never fear, Paradroids here to sort out your passport queries! (Since I work at the passport office, I may be able to give you some advice)

Those estimates on the turnaround time on standard service passports seem a bit modest to me. I got mine within 5 days which I thought was pretty spiffy. Do you fast track the good looking people?

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Frankly, start again.

Go here and fill in form online, assuming that you have a credit or debit card to pay with.

2-3 days later the form, with all the important stuff already filled in comes through your door.

Get someone to sign part ten, and verify one of your photos, and sign and date your bit too.

Send your original birth certificate, copies are not allowed. Send it registered post, and pay the extra to get it sent back the same way.

Get all the signiatures done the same day.

I did this all a month or so ago for me and my 3 year old, it worked very well. Had the passports back much quicker than they stated.

RB

 

[Escape]

On the Payment form it asks for a "Barcode" number, what is this number? Is it on Credit Cards?

Easiest thing to do (for ease of mind), complete the form and take it to a major post office(one you can get road-tax from should do). They'll check over your form, make sure you have all the extras to send and post it for you. That's when you get a Barcode to track your passport.

If there're any errors, you'll be told at the post office. Though it costs about £5 extra if you want the post office to check it.


I did mine about 8 years ago, it was alot easier then; walk into a passport office and 20mins later you walk out with a passport!

 

[Gray]

Will see if i can take it into Post Office sometime tomorrow hopefully, but i found the Barcode after scanning through everything.

I dont think there should be a problem, my only main concern is the date thing, i wont go and get another form done unless they have to say i do, mainly because of all the hassle involved. I just hope they give my Birth Certificate back :/ ;o