Applying For A New Passport

[loulou111]

My partner lost his passport over 20 years ago. Silly sod never reported it missing. He's not been abroad since.  He went to fill out a new application. It's asking for details of any old passport number which he doesn't have to hand. Also the post office said as it's been over 20 years he has to do a first time passport application. However online it's still asking for details of old passport number. Any advice of what to do would be helpful.

[loulou111]

Thanks for answers in advance x

[naomi24]

Can you not put 'unknown'?

[davebro3]

how come a first passport application is aking for a previous passport number - doen't make any sense..

[237SJ]

You could try the advice line https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

[calmck]

You could go to a post office and ask them for advice. Many have a passport service

[Patsy33]

Just apply for a first time passport.

[DDIL]

Good afternoon,

https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/replace#:~:text=Replace%20online,a%20digital%20photo

[loulou111]

I agree it doesn't make sense but it's asks if you've had a passport before he has so he cannot say no. The next stage then asks for the passport number so he can't get passed that step.in the application there is no option for saying passport is lost or information unknown. But as it's been 20 years he has to apply as a first time passport application. He's going around in circles 

[calmck]

For general advice, you can:

speak to an advisor online using web chat

use the online enquiry form - you'll get a reply within 72 hours

contact HMPO by phone or post

1 @ 54%0/

Passport Adviceline

Telephone: [phone]

From outside the UK: [phone]

Textphone: 18001 0300 222 0222

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

Saturday, Sunday and UK bank holidays, 9am to 5:30pm

Find out about call charges

HM Passport Office

[calmck]

The answer above is from the UK Gov, website

[theshedman]

As others have said I would ask the Passport Office for advice.  I wouldn't ask in the Post Office as they often haven't got a clue, twice we used Post Office and both times they have come back as Photo was no good or some other mistake that we paid for them to check before sending off.