Digital Passport Photo (UK)

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
21
When was that? Processing times can vary wildly.

22
Why can’t you just do it from here? Mine took 3 weeks door to door!

I'm travelling to Edinburgh in about 4 weeks time, so if it was to run into longer than that I'd have to cancel the trip and I have a lot of important appointments booked at the other end as I haven't been for 2 years.

My passport doesn't expire until mid July, so I hope I'll be OK.

23
Last summer.

Do it as soon as you get back.

Edit: when I enter an Edinburgh post code into the emergency passport page, it suggests the Glasgow office, so maybe you should try and apply as soon as you get to Scotland.

24
The info I've been given is Glasgow handle appointments but don't issue passports, after you attend it takes 3 weeks and it has to be delivered to a secure address there. If that's the case I'll have to stay on another 3 weeks. Not a problem as I'd be in my own house, just a bit of a pain.

When I spoke to the girl at passport advice and I said I was flying into Edinburgh, she said she didn't know that location so I might want to try applying to the passport offices in Belfast, Durham or Peterborough if I couldn't get to London

I really don't know when she was being let loose on the phones, unfortunately I always seem to get an idiot with no knowledge of how to handle things to deal with

25
There is definitely a one week service. https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-ur...-track-service

26
I looked at the 1 week Fast Track service, says if you're in Switzerland you can't apply for this online and you have to complete a paper form, book appointment and pay, then turn up to the appointment with the paperwork, photos and old passport. A new passport is then couriered to your UK address within 7 days, someone has to be there to sign for it.

They only issue appointments in blocks of 3 weeks, at the moment they only go up to Feb 28th so it's a case of checking every day to see what's been released.

If I don't get it in time OH will have to return on his own and I'll have to get my flight changed.

27
Is applying for a first passport and renewing passport process different?

I have just applied for first british passport for my son after he received his british citizenship registration certificate.

All done online, together with photo. I actually made a photo of a passport photo that I had at home. It took me a bit of time to receive green approval but it worked. As for countersigning, there was no such obligation. I had to just find a person with approved profession to confirm my kid identity . They receive email from Ho and have to answer few questions.

I started online application on 13.01 , sent supporting documents on 16.01, today received email that application was approved and the passport is being printed.

28
Renewing a passport is usually much simpler and faster than a first passport application.

That how the countersigning works these days, it’s confirmation of identity just the same as it always was it’s just all done online now rather than physically having to sign the photo.

29
A first passport and a renewal are different, for renewals you don't need to get the photos witnessed unless your appearance has changed drastically.

The main issue for me is my current passport expires end July and I need it to travel to Edinburgh in 3 weeks time, hence online is no good to me as I'd have to send it back, so would be left with no travel ID. I also don't think it's guaranteed I'd be able to travel back into Switzerland on it which is why I need to book an appointment in Glasgow (I'm in Scotland for about 12 days and the passport office is pretty central to get to).

30
This doesn't seem correct. UK residents can do the one day service which has a turnaround of 4 hours at the Glasgow office so I'd be surprised if they don't print them there.

When booking an appointment for the same day service the first question is if you live in the UK and if you answer no it doesn't take you any further though.

The 1 week service should be available to you. I recently did this for my daughter and was told at the time that it is usually less than a week and if you need it quicker you can provide evidence on the day and they can expedite it for you (without any guarantees)

31
Thanks for that info, I'll bear that in mind. I'm also going to ring the helpline again tomorrow to see if I can get someone with more clarity that the person I had last week.

32
Not sure if it helps but I went for a 1 week fast track appointment on Saturday at Glasgow. All documents etc. were fine and I got a notification that the passport has been dispatched today.

I am local though and no longer live in CH.

33
Thanks, I'm staying at my house in Fife for about 12 days. Glasgow is only about an hour by car for us, OH used to be on a work project there before he came out to Basel.

34
I think the 1 day service was stopped due to covid.

Cherub: I reckon you should get the form and apply for the 1 week the second you get to Scotland. Should work out!

35
My sister posted 2 copies of the form I need from Scotland yesterday. I get to Scotland on the Friday evening, hope to be able to get an appointment for Glasgow on Monday. I have to be up first thing to see my optician about a new prescription for contact lenses, so if I could get one for the afternoon that would be ideal as I'd have a good time frame.

36
PS - you're right about the 1 day service not being available, it states this on the UK Gov website. A shame as my sister used it a few years ago when she was on leave from her job in Saudi Arabia, she said it was very easy.

37
It may well have been stopped due to COVID but it has started up again

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-ur...remium-service

The only reason I couldn't use it for my daughter was because it's not available for child passports