Passport application ....

[Boris+]

Hi Folks,

Well, it's driving me nuts! A passport application has been completed - all the payment done and everything printed out, photos ready, BUT it doesn't say HOW to attach the blasted photos.

The photos mustn't be written on the reverse side, and I really don't think it's very sensible just to leave them simply paper-clipped to an application without any identification on them.

I reckon the only thing to do is to put the photos in a small envelope and write the application number on the small envelope - and paper-clip that to the application form and send it off.

I've looked everywhere, but all it says is not to write on the back of the photos, and just to 'include' them.

Any ideas? I've tried to google the answer, but the only responses I get seem to refer to America.

Em

[david63]

Cannot remember what I did earlier in the year but whatever it was it was not a big issue - think I just used a paper clip to keep everything together and passport came back without any problems.

I think at time Em you "over think" things.

[towny44]

Do let us know how you get on Em, as I will need to renew my passport before our April cruise.

[wolfie]

Another drama Boris.

I just Googled and it IS out there. Enclose means just that.

You have already solved your dilemma, line 4 of your OP. Just do it.

We haven't renewed ours for some years but I do remember someone having to write on the back of the photo saying something like... I declare this to be a true likeness of e.g. Boris.

[GillD46]

I renewed mine recently and just took everything to the PO to check and THEY are then responsible for enclosing everything.
Don't make it a problem, Em, it really isn't.

[Boris+]

Many thanks for all the replies - much appreciated.

Rest assured, I'm not making a drama out of this - I'm just concerned a bit, that's all.

We had all this media revelation during 2014 about the 'failing' passport office, and it's no wonder at all with the system as I've discovered it is. Just imagine, loads of new applications (albeit in my case for a renewal) arrive by post daily, so they open the envelopes, and inside should be some paperwork, an old passport and some photos.

Now, following the rules (in my case) the photos have to be left blank on the reverse side, and they have (apparently) to be put just loose in the envelope with the other items. Maybe you can see where I'm heading - but just imagine all the chaos etc if photos get separated from the paperwork! No wonder they've had problems.

I know that in other countries you can staple the photos to the form, but over here - oh no, just let the photos float around in the envelope willy nilly! I think that this calls for a system to be put in place for the photos to be taken digitally at some 'authorised' point, (maybe a photobooth in a main Post Office), and then sent electronically with your application number to the passport office - now that would improve things a whole lot.

I am more than content to do the application online, I've done it, it's so simple it's surreal - and I've paid and done the print out - it's all quite simple. Where it falls down flatly on it's posterior is the willy-nilly shoving two photos in the envelope without any marking or reference etc., and posting off the application and just 'hoping'.

I will try and remember to mention how it all goes - if you do it online, they do give you a username and password so that you can allegedly check on the progress of the application, and then of course the final 'check' is the ability to track the delivery of the paperwork if you use the recorded (or whatever the name of it is) delivery manner of posting off the paperwork to them.

It just seems a bit sloppy to me. I have telephoned the passport people today, and they have confirmed - just shove the photos in the envelope and don't write on them, and don't use any method of attaching the photos to the form.

So, maybe I'll get a new passport back which I can use, or maybe it will have the photograph of a different person! I still think it's sloppy and that there system (or lack of it) creaks so loudly it's deafening. Afterall, I've completed their form and it's 100% correct, I'm sending off the paperwork 100% correctly, I've paid - but I just don't feel confident about it, and I think I should.

Anyway - all the best for a really happy and enjoyable 2015.

Thanks for the replies again.

Em

[david63]

Em - the people opening these envelopes are well used to doing it and know what to look for, they don't just tip 2,000 applications out into a pile and then try to match them up.

Over the last couple of years we have applied for passports, visas and driving licences and nothing has gone wrong.

Just put it all in the envelope, take it down to the Post Office and send it off - job done - simples

[oldbluefox]

I don't see what the problem is. If you are concerned about the photos being loose in the envelope and naturally cannot staple them why not just get a strip of paper, some sellotape and make a simple sleeve to hold them together. Not rocket science but solves a problem.

I feel sure when I renewed passports a couple of years ago one of them had to be endorsed on the back. Maybe, (and hopefully if Boris is correct, cos it was a pain in the neck finding somebody) that is no longer necessary.

[jay-ell71]

Em. Do what Gill says, take the paperwork to the Post Office and let them "vet" the lot and they will send it off. You think too much.

[oldbluefox]

Sometimes this can take up to 15 minutes if there are errors so spare a tear of sympathy for the poor soul who is next in the queue who only wants a couple of stamps. Go when the post office is quiet.
I do my own ( ) and check and double check before sending it away. It saves money and the silent ire of an ever lengthening queue.

[Stephen]

Hi Folks,

Well, it's driving me nuts! A passport application has been completed - all the payment done and everything printed out, photos ready, BUT it doesn't say HOW to attach the blasted photos.

The photos mustn't be written on the reverse side, and I really don't think it's very sensible just to leave them simply paper-clipped to an application without any identification on them.

I reckon the only thing to do is to put the photos in a small envelope and write the application number on the small envelope - and paper-clip that to the application form and send it off.

I've looked everywhere, but all it says is not to write on the back of the photos, and just to 'include' them.

Any ideas? I've tried to google the answer, but the only responses I get seem to refer to America.

Em

Just seen you post Em which has reminded me that the good lady and I need to renew ours this year (any time now). That's another post-it reminder

[Boris+]

I've seen mistakes made in Post Offices, and I decided (as usual) to be responsible for my own form filling; afterall I do enough of it and don't make mistakes - so I don't see or feel the need to pay someone to establish that what I entered on a form is correct. Sorry if that sounded a bit 'high handed' but I really don't need it checking - nowt wrong with my 'work'.

I doubt that envelopes are actually opened by a person - simply opened by machine probably; and I don't know which is more reliable.

Anyway, what I decided to do was to put the photos in a small envelope with the application number and name on the front of it, and paper-clipped that to the bottom of the form.

It is now happily posted with the postal method recommended by the Passport Authority, and I should have it back by the end of January (fingers crossed).

Oh well - I can't do any more now, except that I do have a tracking number for the delivery and I do of course have the 'comfort' of the username and password which allows me (hopefully) to track the progess of the application, which I don't think the Post Office checking system provides.

I don't really need it as things stand at the moment until the middle of the year - but I would like to have it back before I pay the balance outstanding on a cruise.

Em

[Manoverboard]

As at July 2014

Complete the application online and ' send it ' to them. The info will be transposed onto their official form, you will be vetted then the form will be returned to you for signing etc. Pop in the pics etc and send it back to them ... they will send you the passports.

Couldn't be easier, couple of weeks later WITHOUT fuss you will have your passport(s).

[Boris+]

Hi MoB,

It's changed in the past few months (if you were referring to just renewing an existing passport with absolutely no changes).

I completed the form online, paid by card etc. Then immediately it gives you a username and it gives you a password so that you can track the progress.
It then tells you to print out the form - it says there are 6 pages, but in reality 2 of those are blank sheets, and it's only 1 which you actually need.

Then you have to sign it (top right hand bit), date it (underneath the signature box), and stick it in an envelope with old passport, and two photos (not attached).

Apparently there is an option for making the application without sending your current passport, but it involves loads of photocopying and having a good reason for not sending off the passport which you renewing.

So, for a renewal of an existing passport without any changes you don't get something back to sign, and if the applicant is an adult and simply looks a bit older in the photographs then there is no requirement for a countersignatory on the back of the photos.

Em

[Manoverboard]

Hi MoB,

It's changed in the past few months (if you were referring to just renewing an existing passport with absolutely no changes).

I completed the form online, paid by card etc. Then immediately it gives you a username and it gives you a password so that you can track the progress.
It then tells you to print out the form - it says there are 6 pages, but in reality 2 of those are blank sheets, and it's only 1 which you actually need.

Then you have to sign it (top right hand bit), date it (underneath the signature box), and stick it in an envelope with old passport, and two photos (not attached).

Apparently there is an option for making the application without sending your current passport, but it involves loads of photocopying and having a good reason for not sending off the passport which you renewing.

So, for a renewal of an existing passport without any changes you don't get something back to sign, and if the applicant is an adult and simply looks a bit older in the photographs then there is no requirement for a countersignatory on the back of the photos.

Em

Great ... just get on with it then

[Dark Knight]

Mountain......Molehill
just do as they ask and stop trying to overdramatize such a simple procedure

[Boris+]

Already done and dusted, posted early today - I am not trying to 'overdramatize' anything ....... I just don't like the new system and I reckon it's sloppy by my standards.

And for people who are interested - I've done a log in on the passport website with the username and password which they gave me, and it's working nicely.

Em

[wolfie]

They'll probably send it back to you as they will be expecting the photos to come tumbling out of the envelope, and, when they don't, they will assume that they aren't there or rather have not been 'enclosed'

[RB1961]

Renewed ours via the post office and we're back in 10 days.

RB

[wolfie]

Already done and dusted, posted early today - I am not trying to 'overdramatize' anything ....... I just don't like the new system and I reckon it's sloppy by my standards.

And for people who are interested - I've done a log in on the passport website with the username and password which they gave me, and it's working nicely.

Em

I wouldn't trust a site that chose my username and password for me, Em. very dodgy

[Boris+]

Hi Wolfie,

I don't think they will say that the photos are not enclosed - but thanks for a little giggle anyway.

I'm not at all worried about the fact that the Passport Office gave me a username and a password - you did make me laugh with this one - other Government sites such as the tax office do just the same.

Meanwhile, here's hoping that you have fabulous time with the holidays you've got booked for 2015. Go safely and have a wonderful trip.

Em

[Meg 50]

lots of orgs give a username and password - teachers' pensions, banks etc...
I don't have a problem with being issued with a username (assuming I can remember it), but the first thing I do is change the password!

[towny44]

I think some of you have been a bit harsh on Em, she may have a bit of an OCD problem but she is highlighting the inefficiencies of many Govt. depts. and other organisations in the way they currently operate in the new digital age. I think her comment about attaching a digital passport photo with your on-line application has great merit, and along with an acceptance of a "digital" signature it could eliminate any need for posting the application. I know there will be a hue and cry from some about how those who are not computer savvy will cope, I prefer to think of this as a business opportunity for someone to set up a chain of high street drop in centres for these people to get IT assistance.
Roll out the IT revolution and let us, eventually, get rid of unnecessary paperwork and postage.

[Stephen]

Easy.
Just renewed mine online and walked (cough wheeze) up to the post office and posted it (signed for next day) - not that there'll be anyone there, but hey ho, it's gone.



The £72.50 cost is taking the pi** though. For that money I'm expecting the new one to be bound in 22 caret gold leaf, have a tracking chip and delivered by the Queen herself......but somehow I doubt it

[Not so ancient mariner]

I've heard that the office in Islamabad will get you one for a fraction of that price, and all done and dusted withing 48 hours!