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I'll soon be applying for my first UK passport after gaining citizenship, but I don't want to send my EU passport because several of my family members are terminally ill, and I need to be able to travel in case of emergencies.

Has anyone successfully submitted an application using a colour photocopy of their passport?

for a first adult passport you have to send originals. no way around it.

If OP still can show their settled status, they can travel on their EU national ID in Europe I suppose?

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 2:40 pm

for a first adult passport you have to send originals. no way around it.

I asked HMPO, and they told me I could try sending a photocopy along with a covering letter explaining my reasons, but they couldn't guarantee that it would be accepted.

meself2 wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 2:43 pm

If OP still can show their settled status, they can travel on their EU national ID in Europe I suppose?

I recently gained citizenship, so my settled status is no longer valid.

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

Anonbha wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 3:53 pm

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

Indeed, that's why I don't want to be without my passport. Did you inquire with HMPO about sending a photocopy? I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

timeavailable wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:09 pm

I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

how did you contact them?

Be aware that most public-facing contact centres for the Home Office are outsourced to third parties and not actual Home Office employees. They would likely give answers that would give a lot of leeway for mis- and reinterpretation.

You may want tor route your question to HMPO via your MP.

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:20 pm

timeavailable wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:09 pm

I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

how did you contact them?

Be aware that most public-facing contact centres for the Home Office are outsourced to third parties and not actual Home Office employees. They would likely give answers that would give a lot of leeway for mis- and reinterpretation.

You may want tor route your question to HMPO via your MP.

I asked them via email.

timeavailable wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:35 pm

I asked them via email.

Can you share the email address you used?

secret.simon wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:43 pm

timeavailable wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:35 pm

I asked them via email.

Can you share the email address you used?

Actually, I contacted them through their online enquiry form, and they responded to me via email.

timeavailable wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 4:09 pm

Anonbha wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 31, 2024 3:53 pm

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

Indeed, that's why I don't want to be without my passport. Did you inquire with HMPO about sending a photocopy? I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

No idea why they advised you otherwise.
I just called them. Call them as soon as the lines open, otherwise might take forever.

Notoriously these advise lines are not run by UKVI, often the people handling the calls aren't experts and give incorrect advice. Ask to speak to a senior caseworker if you choose to call.

contorted_svy wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 02, 2024 9:15 am

Notoriously these advise lines are not run by UKVI, often the people handling the calls aren't experts and give incorrect advice. Ask to speak to a senior caseworker if you choose to call.

Thanks for letting me know. Do you know if their email support is outsourced too?

From my knowledge it's quite hard to get a timely reply. As annoying and hard to process in a stressful situation as it is, best thing to do is to apply and wait for passports to be delivered, their processing times are 3 weeks but loads of people get everything back a lot quicker. I was in a similar situation when I became a citizen last year, with a family member undergoing major life saving surgery just 2 weeks after - I submitted my passport application the day I became a citizen and got everything in 8-9 days.

Update: I sent a colour photocopy of my passport along with a covering letter and my naturalisation certificate, and my application has been approved by the passport office.

Congratulations. this will be a useful case study for other members.