Renewing Passports On-Line

[naomi24]

Some time ago we had a discussion about renewing passports on line. We were told the forms could be downloaded but would still have to counter-signed and sent by mail to the Passport Office together with a picture. Well ……. I have recently renewed my passport …. entirely on line. I downloaded an appropriate picture and no counter-signatory necessary. It took just minutes. Great service!!

Just thought I’d mention it in the hope it helps.

[Old_Geezer]

That was basically my experience too, except that their software rejected my photo, so I filled in the bit where I said I thought it should be used as I had no problem seeing the outline of me, and it was used anyway.

[Cloverjo]

I tried to use that, Naomi. I didn't have a suitable photo so asked OH to take one on my phone. He kept getting it wrong with fingers in the way etc. We both got impatient so I just went to the PO got the forms and a photo from the booth.

Still no counter-signature required though. I think a lot of people wrongly assume you need one every time you renew.

[Islay]

Yu only need a counter signature when you renew if your appearance has changed significantly

[naomi24]

Cloverjo, I got a picture in Sainsbury's photo booth and scanned it into my computer. £6. Simple.

In the past, in my experience, a counter-signatory was required.

[naomi24]

Islay, no mention of that.

[ummmm]

I did mine by post and included a new photo. No counter signature. I did forget to send payment though and had a letter back in 2 days basically saying it's been accepted all you need to do now is pay :-) whoops.

[naomi24]

Ummmm, perhaps they changed the counter-signatory requirement during the 10 years since I last renewed my passport. I know for sure that the last time I did it I needed the form counter-signed.

[cassa333]

I just did mine last week at the post office. They rejected my photo and were a bit iffy with the second so don't know if it will be rejected at the Passport office or not yet.

We have to get the kids ones countersigned anyway because the last one was taken when they wer two. They are 14 now so definitely not the same faces lol

[ummmm]

Maybe. It seems so much easier now. Like getting a drivers license...all that was needed was a passport number.

[ummmm]

Cassa...do you know you can get it signed by your local shop (if you have one) as long as they hold a license for the sale of alcohol or cigarettes.

[naomi24]

Ummmm, yes, I've just renewed my driving licence too. Very easy.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, when I tried to do it around 6 months back I was told the system was still on trial in test areas only but was due to go into full use. Glad it has finally gone online.

[theshedman]

Cassa, I know the passport office have guidelines for photos but not sure they all work from same hymn sheet. Wife applied to have hers renewed with photo I had taken using her mobile phone and few days later had a letter from them saying it had been rejected. So had new ones taken in Post office and sent them off in the envelope they sent her with a reference number on it. The following day her new passport turned up with the photo they rejected on it. So we spent an extra £5 for nothing. Didn't even get letter from them asking about the new photos.