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Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:03 pm
by W2theg
Hi all,
Just wondering if the wonderful moderators can help me in clearing the doubts i have before applying for my son first British passport.
I've nearly gathered all the necessary documents when i went back home recently.
Is it true that I can send the colour copy of every single page of my partner, my son and my passport instead?
I'm a bit reluctant to send all the passports in case they get lost or I need to travel urgently (though I can't at the moment because I applied for a passport replacement after my previous one got stolen while abroad last month).
Also the "countersignatory" section on the passport form, can anyone I know sign it for me or does it have to be someone who has seen or known my child?
Moderators or anyone who has been through this experience, your help and advice would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:32 pm
by alterhase58
W2theg wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:03 pm
Hi all,
Just wondering if the wonderful moderators can help me in clearing the doubts i have before applying for my son first British passport.
I've nearly gathered all the necessary documents when i went back home recently.
Is it true that I can send the colour copy of every single page of my partner, my son and my passport instead?
Why are you sending all your passports?
I'm a bit reluctant to send all the passports in case they get lost or I need to travel urgently (though I can't at the moment because I applied for a passport replacement after my previous one got stolen while abroad last month).
Again, why all passports?
Also the "countersignatory" section on the passport form, can anyone I know sign it for me or does it have to be someone who has seen or known my child?
Counter signer should know the child. Don;t know what the paper form requirements are
Moderators or anyone who has been through this experience, your help and advice would be appreciated.
Can you just describe what documents you intend to send? And why aren't you using the online application?
Thank you in advance
All that should be required is: a parent's naturalisation certificate and child's birth certificate - or I'm missing some information here?
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:36 pm
by contorted_svy
What form are you referring to? Online or paper? I think you are talking about the referee - that can't be you, it has to be in this category:
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
When you must get a signature and who can sign
Some paper passport applications and photos must be signed by someone else (the ‘countersignatory’) to prove the identity of the person applying.
You must get your paper form and one of your 2 print photos signed if you’re applying for a:
first adult passport
first child passport
replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport
renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under
renewal of a passport if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing passport
Who can sign your form and photo
Your countersignatory must:
have known you (or the adult who signed the form if the passport is for a child under 16) for at least 2 years
be able to identify you, for example they’re a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
be ‘a person of good standing in their community’ or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
Who cannot be your countersignatory
You cannot ask someone to countersign your passport if you’re:
related to them by birth or marriage
in a relationship with or live at the same address as them
If you’re applying in the UK
Your countersignatory must:
live in the UK
have a current British or Irish passport
If you’re applying outside the UK
Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.
If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.
Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.
What the countersignatory must do with your form
After you’ve filled in the form, your countersignatory must check the details are correct and sign it.
By signing it they are confirming that:
they’ve known you for more than 2 years
you’re who you claim to be
as far as they know, all the information you’ve put on the form is true
Your countersignatory must put their passport number on the form.
What your countersignatory must write on your photo
Your countersignatory should write the following on the back of one photo:
‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].’
They must add their signature and the date under the statement.
You do not have to sign or date the photos yourself.
What the countersignatory can expect
Your countersignatory may be contacted by HM Passport Office for more information. Your application may be delayed if they’re not available, for example they’re on holiday.
This information is also true for online application, which I would recommend.
https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/fil ... 1697640978 If you go through all the steps, before it asks you to pay, you will get a list of what documents you have to send.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:33 am
by W2theg
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:32 pm
W2theg wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:03 pm
Hi all,
Just wondering if the wonderful moderators can help me in clearing the doubts i have before applying for my son first British passport.
I've nearly gathered all the necessary documents when i went back home recently.
Is it true that I can send the colour copy of every single page of my partner, my son and my passport instead?
Why are you sending all your passports?
I'm a bit reluctant to send all the passports in case they get lost or I need to travel urgently (though I can't at the moment because I applied for a passport replacement after my previous one got stolen while abroad last month).
Again, why all passports?
Also the "countersignatory" section on the passport form, can anyone I know sign it for me or does it have to be someone who has seen or known my child?
Counter signer should know the child. Don;t know what the paper form requirements are
Moderators or anyone who has been through this experience, your help and advice would be appreciated.
Can you just describe what documents you intend to send? And why aren't you using the online application?
Thank you in advance
All that should be required is: a parent's naturalisation certificate and child's birth certificate - or I'm missing some information here?
Thank you Alterhase for your swift reply.
Well for a kid born abroad first passport the process can be long and requires a whole lot of paperwork according to some previous posts that I read on this forum, also a friend was even asked to bring a letter showing that his wife has given the consent to get their daughter a British passport. Another friend was asked to send a photo of his wife while she was pregnant with their son, his application dragged on for nearly 2 years. So when the child is born in some part of the world the process can be lengthy as well as stressful.
I've been advised to apply by using the paper form as the post office can help out to check it for a small fee.
As far as I know some the following documents are required:
. Child's birth certificate,
. One of the parent's naturalisation certificate,
. Parents passports or colour copy,
. Partner or wife and child certificate of residence,
. Partner or wife antenatal book ( all scan during pregnancy)
. Family photos
Etc....
Thank you in advance.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:41 am
by alterhase58
Re. Post Office counter service, I have heard some disappointing reviews, and they are not fully trained to HMPO standards! And what you have heard doesn't exactly make sense. HMPO can request further documents, but a photo proving pregnancy sounds weird. Not saying it hasn't happened.
If you apply online, there's a small saving in the fee and the system will tell you what is required. A passport application is not like naturalisation. When you apply from abroad that's where it get complex and lengthy.
It's your choice, many people just provide two or three documents, such as child's birth certificate, parent's nat. certificate and maybe British passport. Remember, if documents go missing or mislaid that's a major headache as you know. So one should only send what's required rather than as much as possible for just in case.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:56 am
by contorted_svy
W2theg wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:33 am
alterhase58 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:32 pm
W2theg wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 6:03 pm
Hi all,
Just wondering if the wonderful moderators can help me in clearing the doubts i have before applying for my son first British passport.
I've nearly gathered all the necessary documents when i went back home recently.
Is it true that I can send the colour copy of every single page of my partner, my son and my passport instead?
Why are you sending all your passports?
I'm a bit reluctant to send all the passports in case they get lost or I need to travel urgently (though I can't at the moment because I applied for a passport replacement after my previous one got stolen while abroad last month).
Again, why all passports?
Also the "countersignatory" section on the passport form, can anyone I know sign it for me or does it have to be someone who has seen or known my child?
Counter signer should know the child. Don;t know what the paper form requirements are
Moderators or anyone who has been through this experience, your help and advice would be appreciated.
Can you just describe what documents you intend to send? And why aren't you using the online application?
Thank you in advance
All that should be required is: a parent's naturalisation certificate and child's birth certificate - or I'm missing some information here?
Thank you Alterhase for your swift reply.
Well for a kid born abroad first passport the process can be long and requires a whole lot of paperwork according to some previous posts that I read on this forum, also a friend was even asked to bring a letter showing that his wife has given the consent to get their daughter a British passport. Another friend was asked to send a photo of his wife while she was pregnant with their son, his application dragged on for nearly 2 years. So when the child is born in some part of the world the process can be lengthy as well as stressful.
I've been advised to apply by using the paper form as the post office can help out to check it for a small fee.
As far as I know some the following documents are required:
. Child's birth certificate,
. One of the parent's naturalisation certificate,
. Parents passports or colour copy,
. Partner or wife and child certificate of residence,
. Partner or wife antenatal book ( all scan during pregnancy)
. Family photos
Etc....
Thank you in advance.
I always suggest applying online and following official guidance rather than hearsay. There are plenty of bad experiences around but sending more may just expose you to loss of documents - one member in the forum experienced this recently, and another one found themselves unable to track where the documents were for having used the check and send service from the post office. Not worth the price and the extra hassle. I recommend to go through the online application process, get to the checklist, and see what the system generates. If the HO will want more evidence they will ask you. Applying for a first passport is already a hassle, no point in introducing extra stress.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:00 pm
by secret.simon
Where abroad was the child born? Different countries can attract different levels of scrutiny.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:55 pm
by W2theg
@Secret_Simon
The child was born in Guinea. Yeah that's true, the level of scrutiny for some countries is just unbelievable.
Like I mentioned in one of previous posts, a friend of mine was asked at some point to send a photo when she was pregnant and that after doing a video interview with one HMPO employee. His application dragged on for two years. Another friend that I work with was asked to provide a letter of consent from his wife that she agrees to get their daughter a British passport. So one should really expect anything.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:34 pm
by W2theg
Ok guys, @Secret_Simon, Alterhase58
This might sounds like a silly question but when I tried to do my son application online and the first question there "Do you live in the UK" when I ticked "No" it sends me as if I'm applying from abroad and it asks to download the paper form. So I'm not sure if I should tick "Yes", but again my son is not in the UK. So should I tick "Yes"?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:40 pm
by CR001
This might sounds like a silly question but when I tried to do my son application online and the first question there "Do you live in the UK" when I ticked "No" it sends me as if I'm applying from abroad and it asks to download the paper form. So I'm not sure if I should tick "Yes", but again my son is not in the UK. So should I tick "Yes"?
If he is not in the UK, you tick NO. Don't lie on the form. For overseas passport applications, it is the paper form.
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:29 pm
by W2theg
Ok CROO1 thank you for your advice, that has given me a peace of mind. Will grab an application form from the post office and apply for him in the next couple of days.
Much appreciated
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:50 pm
by CR001
The forms for a passport overseas are different to the post office forms.
You need to download the form you were given to download, link below. You will see it is form OS
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... rm_010.pdf
For applications for an applicant in Guinea, you have to use the paper form.
https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/ove ... ild/guinea
Re: Child born abroad first British passport
Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:53 am
by W2theg
@ CR001 Thank you.
The post office form is the right one as advised by one of the guy i know, as I live in the UK. He has already done for his first child and he's in the process for the second one.
Much appreciated
