General Chat

Do you need to send kids birth certs when applying for thier passports? They were previously included on my passport which has now expired... Sue

Yes you do, but phone the help line before filling in the form, they are really helpful, and it can save you a lot of time and frustration. Bev

Yes. The original birth cert is nessesary. I sent the copy and had it all retured to me..... lou xx

Thanks Bev, Wasnt too sure will give them a phone tomorrow. The leaflet that comes with the forms doesnt explain much about what you have to include for kids. Sue

You can get the documents for your passports checked at the postoffice now. If you pop along to the post offices web site you can find the nearest branch that can do the check other wise you need to send the birth certificate, I had to do mine that was 9 years ago. www.postoffice.*co.uk remove the star

My daughter doesnt have a full birth cert only a short version that doesnt include parents names. I did order a copy of a full one,but its only a copy. Do you think they would except both,and the fact that she had been on my passport before? sue

I did this last year - don't think I had to send the certs as they were previously on MY passport. But it is definitely best to phone the number on the form and check. Don't forget the photos for the kids have to be signed on the back too as well as the forms. Maz. XX

I did this and I seem to recall sending the short certs, the application form, and the photos duly endorsed. I know that now the person endorsing the photos has to give details of their employer and also their passport number. nell

Thanks Maz, I wont forget to sign the photos... sue

Nell, Can it not be the parents that sign the kids photos or does it have to be somebody in authority like with the adult ones? Sue

Sue - they (and the forms) have to be signed by a 'professional' - I take it that's what you mean!! Teacher/vicar/GP/librarian - beware though as unless they are personal friends, you may well find they make a charge for signing. Maz. XX

Yes, i ment proffesional.. Couldnt think of the name off the top of my head.. Proberly get thier teachers to do it.. Sue

Hi Sue, I'm quite lucky as have a friend who is a Barrister, another who is a Baptist Minister and another who is a Librarian! Good luck! Maz. XX

Hi Maz, Come to think about it the kids know our local minister very well, Im sure he would oblige. Thanks everybody for your help Sue

last time i bought one for my daughter I am sure the post office were offering to check all the dtails before sending them off to the passport office. I think they were charging about £6 for the checking service. GLoria

I did check and it costs about £7.00. Which would work out quite exspensive when there are 4 lots to check. Will give the passport place a ring tomorrow. thanks Sue

I applied for passports for the family a few weeks ago and you will need full birth certificates and the Post Office charge £7 per passport to check them for you. The Passport Office are very strict, if everything isn't spot on they will send everything back to you. Good luck. M.

Just a word of warning if you haven't had the photos done yet, make sure they are exactly the same, and follow all instructions about not smiling etc, as my son's were recently returned as although they were taken at a photo booth on the same day, he had moved slightly and they wouldn't accept them. I had to get some more done at my local chemist but strangely didn't have to get them endorsed on the back just returned to a named person. Passport was then received in about a week. Carolyn

Thanks Guys for all your advice. I have been putting this off for ages now,suppose to be going to Spain in the summer,so i have to get this done now. I am worrying about my daughters birth cert though.she only has a short version,which doesnt include parents names.I ordered a full one from the GRO.But on the application form it says it doesnt take photo copies.I would of though once they were included in your passport you wouldnt have to supply birth certs again. I know as mine is a re-newel i dont have to send birth cert. Also my son was born abroad do i have to send my birth cert with his when applying for his passport? I will proberly get my answers tomorrow when i phone,but it is nice to hear other peoples answers on this, Sue

Sue, This is from the passport office website: The child was born or adopted in the UK In this case we need to see: * the child’s full birth or adoption certificate showing parents’ details and evidence of one parent’s nationality or immigration status at the time of the child’s birth. That is, either: o the mother’s UK birth certificate, Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or her passport that was valid at the time of the child’s birth; or o the father’s UK birth certificate, Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or his passport that was valid at the time of the child’s birth and the parents’ marriage certificate. The child was born outside the UK In this case we need to see: * the child’s full birth or adoption certificate showing parents’ details and evidence of one parent’s nationality or immigration status at the time of the child’s birth. That is, either: o the mother’s UK birth certificate,* Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or her passport that was valid at the time of the child’s birth; or o the father’s UK birth certificate,* Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or his passport that was valid at the time of the child’s birth and the parents’ marriage certificate.* Note*: If the child has a birth certificate issued by a British consulate or high commission abroad you can send that instead of the parents’ birth and/or marriage certificates. The child has a certificate of naturalisation or registration from the Home Office In this case we need to see: * the naturalisation or registration certificate * the passport on which the child entered the UK . http://www.passport.gov.uk/passport_child_docsfirst.asp#borninuk