first time passports

[supernanny]

I have applied for my first passport (2 weeks ago) and it says that first time applicants MAY have to have an interview, has anyone else applied recently and had to have an interview? if so what happens at the interview also does anyone know how long it normally takes before they contact you to arrange the interview? Thanks in advance

[Buenchico]

The plan is that all first time applicants for an 'adult' (16 years and over) passport will have to attend an interview. Since 1 June 2007 the Identity & Passport Service have been gradually increasing the percentage of applicant who're called for interview; by now it's likely that most (or possibly all) applicants will be required to attend.

I&PS recommend allowing at least 6 weeks between applying for your passport and your intended travel date. The first part of the process is routine ID checks (such as the electoral roll). When these have been completed, you'll be invited to book an interview. Your passport should be issued shortly afterwards. Given that you're already 2 weeks into the 6 weeks that I&PS aim to issue a passport within, it's likely that you should hear from them soon with regard to any interview.

The interview takes about 30 minutes. You can choose which of these locations to attend:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/find-interview- office.asp

Source:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/interviews.asp

Chris

[supernanny]

Thanks Chris, I got a letter this morning to arrange a time for a interview

[dawn36]

my hubby had to have an interview and i had to renew my passport as it expired in 2006 nd i never bothered torenew it we are going to usa jan 09 we all had to have passports, my hubby had his interview took about 10 minutes and just asked a few questions from his application form, he had his done on the saturday his passport came on the wednesday my passport came about a week after he got his. so much for upto six weeks for a first time applicant