Baby born in the UK - how to travel ?

[neo__x]

Hi,

We had a baby daughter a month ago, and now need to travel back to our country of origin. Both my wife and I have ILR. The baby was born after we had our ILR, so I guess she can apply for the british passport. I would be grateful if someone can take out the time to answer the following queries:

What's the fastest way to be able to travel ? Should we apply for her british passport, and get a visa for our country of origin ?

OR

Just get the british passport, and endorse my child on the wifes passport ?

OR

Some other way e.g. endorse on wifes passport, get a visa back into UK.

Basically looking for the easiest way out as need to travel asap.


Re photographs, I have a professional Digital camera - I can take photos and get some passport size photos using an online service. Would that be ok ?

Thanks

[try-one]

two options:
- apply for the UK passport: check on their website for times, you might not be able to ask for a passport over the counter (I know for people with old passports this option takes 5 hours...same day near victoria..) but I think for first time passports might be more time..check

- endorse or new one: you can go to your home country embassy and ask for a new passport for your baby or add the baby to the moms passport...but then the baby would need a UK visa...so the UK visa will be an extra cost that you don't really need....but timewise, you might need to endorse moms passport; and get the visa in home country with more available time..

[John]

Neo__x, given that you and your wife have ILR, your child was British as soon as she was born. But given that, by definition, the passport to be issued will be her first British passport, the application cannot be made on an "over the counter" basis. It will take at least a week ... probably about 10 days.

And that assumes that you make the application using the Post Office checking service. That costs a few pounds more but applications made that way are given priority to applications posted to the Passport Agency.

You do not say which country you are from. Is dual nationality a problem? If not and your child also inherits your nationality, you can also apply for a passport from that country.

Passport pics? I think ... don't bother to try to do it yourself! Taking acceptable passport pics of babies can be an horrendous experience. And the new "no smiling" rule introduced this week might make matters worse!

[neo__x]

You do not say which country you are from. Is dual nationality a problem? If not and your child also inherits your nationality, you can also apply for a passport from that country.

Passport pics? I think ... don't bother to try to do it yourself! Taking acceptable passport pics of babies can be an horrendous experience. And the new "no smiling" rule introduced this week might make matters worse!

Thanks John - dual nationality is not a problem. Think I need to do that anyway.

Blimey ! "No Smiling" rule ?? when did that happen ! When I said I had a professional camera, I also meant it came with a semi-professional photographer, aka, yours truly. So unless the passport people have some truly odd requirements, I will give it a crack myself as I have been doing portrait photography.

Cheers

[John]

Neo, apologies if you are a semi-professional photographer.

The new no-smiling rule? Have a good look at :-

Passport Photographs

Have fun! Passport photos of young babies can be a nightmare!

Using the Post Office checking service will ensure that any photos submitted will be acceptable to the Passport Agency ... or the Post Office will decline to forward the application.

[Khurram]

I've recently tried out the service offered by PasPic, and despite the fact that you end up paying around £3.50 for 6 pictures, you save yourself the hassle of having your application turned down.

Regards