Child born abroad first passport

[uk1948]

Hello. I was naturalised as a British Citizen in June 2021 and got my first UK passport in August 2021 while in the UK. In February 2022 my baby was born in Australia (I am the mother). My husband has only Australian citizenship. I would now like to apply for my baby's first UK passport from Australia, but I have a few questions:

1. I have applied for the baby's Australian passport but the application is still pending. If I answer 'no' on the online application for the UK passport, when it asks if the child has another country's passport, is this ok? Or do I have to wait to apply for the UK passport only once the baby receives their Australian passport?

2. If I wait until I get the baby's Australian passport before applying for the UK passport, is it ok if I only send a copy of the Australian passport to the UK application rather than the original?

2. Are these the only original documents I need to send off: My naturalisation certificate and baby's birth certificate?

3. What is the current wait time for applying for child's first UK passport from Australia?

4. Will I have to attend an interview?

Thanks!

[vinny]

1. If there is no ‘pending’ option, then answer ‘no’, as child hasn’t got a passport yet?

See also supporting documents for examples of what they expect.

The online application should answer some of your questions?

[vinny]

See also HMPO on Twitter for more information.

[uk1948]

Thankyou @Vinny, I will look through those links. I did notice that on one of those links someone has suggested sending only certified copies of documents initially in case the HMPO loses the documents. I am most concerned about HMPO losing my naturalisation certificate as I know they take a long time to get replaced. Do you think it is a good idea to send a certified copy of my naturalisation certificate initially, or is there no point as they are highly likely to ask for the original anyway?

[vinny]

Does the online application ask applicants to send original documents?

In some countries, applicants submit both original and copies to a VAC. They have sight of the original documents and only submit copies to HMPO. The applicants may keep the originals. Perhaps enquire about this?

Alternatively, a notary public may certify the documents?

Moreover, if a Naturalisation Certificate was issued by the Home Office, then why can’t the HMPO, a part of the Home Office, verify it themselves?