Date of Birth wrong on UK passport

[doctormann]

Not sure if this is in the right forum - mods please move if necessary.

I renewed my UK passport back in 2014 and have only just noticed that there is an error on the data page. My DoB, as printed on the passport is two years in error. Everything else is correct. This is not my error - everything on the application form was correct and, in any case, the photocopy of the old passport, that I had to submit, showed the correct date. I guess that I should have noticed this long ago but I didn't and neither have Chonburi Immigration, so far. However, I have not used this passport to travel outside of Thailand and I suspect that the error might be picked up if I tried. I might then be considered to be here illegally!

So, this error really should be sorted out asap. The problem is that I've no idea how to go about it. I have emailed the UK Embassy in Bangkok for advice but all I have got back, so far, are links to irrelevant information. The Embassy doesn't deal with passports any more anyway. I can't imagine that the 'Trendy' lot would be able to help as, effectively, they are just a post box. This seems to leave the option of dealing with one of the UK passport offices but I'm not sure that this is even possible to do from Thailand as everything has to go via 'Trendy' anyway.

I suppose that I could apply for a new passport, at vast expense and inconvenience, but I'm reluctant to do this if it can be avoided as the current one still has more than six years to run and is nowhere near full. Maybe, if I don't have any travel plans, I should just ignore this and correct the error when I do the next renewal in six years' time?

Any suggestions of what to do would be greatly appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

You will need to contact the HMPO in the UK. Trendy will be of no help.

Contact info is here for complaints or advise. https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

 

[doctormann]

Thanks.

I see that they have an on-line enquiry form so I'll give that a try first and see what they say. I have a feeling that this is not going to be easy to resolve!

[OJAS]

@doctormann Since it has taken you 4 years to spot this error, I fear that you are now likely to have no choice other than to apply afresh for a replacement passport (notwithstanding that the error was made by HMPO rather than by you in the application form). Out of curiosity, did you renew in 2014 via Hong Kong or Trendy (who assumed the responsibility in March that year)? If the latter, did you not have to sign a form confirming that all details in the new passport were correct when you collected it (as, I gather, is standard practice at Trendy)?

Edited February 25, 2018 by OJAS

[doctormann]

Renewed via Hong Kong.

No form to be filled - passport was couriered to my door.

 

I think that you are exactly right about me needing a renewal.  Very annoying but partly my own fault for not checking every detail.  I'm very used to checking visa stamps etc from Thai Immigration but I somehow assumed, incorrectly that HMPO would be a bit more reliable than that!

[doctormann]

Update.

 

The Enquiry Service just emailed me to say that my query has been passed to the Passport Office for action so now we wait and see what happens.

 

That was a very quick response - I'm almost impressed!

[Moonlover]

You'll have us all rushing for our passports now! 

 

Hope you can get this issue resolved without too much hassle.

[doctormann]

Certainly hope so but I fear that won't be simple.

 

I remember the days when you could actually get things done at the Embassy.  Long gone now - doing things via Hong Kong was not too bad but having to use 'Trendy' is a complete PITA!

[OJAS]

16 hours ago, doctormann said:

Update.

 

The Enquiry Service just emailed me to say that my query has been passed to the Passport Office for action so now we wait and see what happens.

 

That was a very quick response - I'm almost impressed!

That sounds to me more likely a standard automated reply - I doubt whether there was any oik sitting around in some Enquiry Service office over a weekend to send it to you manually! I gather that the standard HMG target period for replying substantively to enquiries of this nature is 20 working days (or 4 weeks).

 

I also do wonder whether, come the time you renew your passport (be this sooner or later), HMPO might still require you to submit your original birth certificate with your application docs, as proof of your actual DOB for the new passport (nothwithstanding that the incorrect DOB stated in your existing passport resulted from their error). Might also be worth your while specifically checking this point with them unless it is covered in their eventual full reply.

 

Anyway, please do keep us posted on what transpires in due course.

Edited February 26, 2018 by OJAS

[OJAS]

16 hours ago, doctormann said:

...but having to use 'Trendy' is a complete PITA!

Completely agree. It really beggars belief (to me at any rate) the number of posters who come on here praising "Trendy" to the highest heavens as if it were the best thing since sliced bread. It would not surprise me in the least, though, to learn that 99% of them live in Bangkok!

Edited February 26, 2018 by OJAS

[doctormann]

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

That sounds to me more likely a standard automated reply - I doubt whether there was any oik sitting around in some Enquiry Service office over a weekend to send it to you manually! I gather that the standard HMG target period for replying substantively to enquiries of this nature is 20 working days (or 4 weeks).

 

I also do wonder whether, come the time you renew your passport (be this sooner or later), HMPO might still require you to submit your original birth certificate with your application docs, as proof of your actual DOB for the new passport (nothwithstanding that the incorrect DOB stated in your existing passport resulted from their error). Might also be worth your while specifically checking this point with them unless it is covered in their eventual full reply.

 

Anyway, please do keep us posted on what transpires in due course.

 

Didn't seem like an automated response but I was rather surprised to get any response on a Sunday.

 

Anyway, things have moved on, but not in a helpful way.  I received an email from HMPO, this morning, to say that they cannot find me on their system!  Unbelievable, maybe I'm a non-person!  They have asked for some additional info, which I have now provided, so it's 'wait and see' time again.

 

I do have plenty of documents to prove my correct DoB, including my original Birth Certificate from back in the mists of time, so this should not be an issue.

 

I will update this thread as things progress - or maybe don't progress!

 

 

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

Completely agree. It really beggars belief (to me at any rate) the number of posters who come on here praising "Trendy" to the highest heavens as if it were the best thing since sliced bread. It would not surprise me in the least, though, to learn that 99% of them live in Bangkok!

 

When we had proper Embassy services things were not wonderful but at least the place was there and was moderately useful.  They don't offer much these days and they charge an arm and a leg for what they do provide.  

 

At one time we had an Honorary Consulate in Jompthien that provided some useful services.  One Honorary Consul who, I believe was only paid expenses, and two Thai girls, in a small office just near Immigration.  Must have cost buttons to run the place but it was closed on grounds of 'cost savings'.  Certainly didn't save my costs, that's for sure!

 

 

[Mattd]

To be honest, I think that you will find that you will almost certainly have to apply for a new passport, who pays for this is debatable, but with 4 years already passed, then likely you I'm afraid.

There is no easy fix to changing the DOB in the passport, as it is not only the written part, it is also in the machine readable part and embedded in to the biometric chip as well.

For a matter of interest, is the DOB still wrong in the machine readable part at the bottom of the photo page, this is immediately after it says GBR (bottom line of the code) and is in reverse, i.e. year / month / day.

[doctormann]

34 minutes ago, Mattd said:

To be honest, I think that you will find that you will almost certainly have to apply for a new passport, who pays for this is debatable, but with 4 years already passed, then likely you I'm afraid.

There is no easy fix to changing the DOB in the passport, as it is not only the written part, it is also in the machine readable part and embedded in to the biometric chip as well.

For a matter of interest, is the DOB still wrong in the machine readable part at the bottom of the photo page, this is immediately after it says GBR (bottom line of the code) and is in reverse, i.e. year / month / day.

 

Yes, that is going to be the likely outcome.  As for who pays, it'll be me for sure!

 

I just checked the machine-readable script and the DoB is incorrect there as well.  At least we have consistency!

 

Still waiting for an update from HMPO UK at the moment.

 

[otherstuff1957]

I had a similar problem with my US passport - two years after it was issued I noticed that my middle name was not on it.  Because over a year had passed I had to pay for a new passport and show them my birth certificate so that they could see my full name.

 

It was a fairly quick and painless process. 

[doctormann]

Update:

 

HMPO UK have now found my records.

 

They have passed the details to their 'Written Complaints Team' for resolution.  This may take ten days, so they say, so it's still 'wait and see' for now.

 

 

13 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I had a similar problem with my US passport - two years after it was issued I noticed that my middle name was not on it.  Because over a year had passed I had to pay for a new passport and show them my birth certificate so that they could see my full name.

 

It was a fairly quick and painless process. 

 

Did you ever try to travel internationally with that passport?  Any problems on that score?

[otherstuff1957]

I haven't used the new passport yet.  Hopefully the complete name and new passport number won't be problem!

[OJAS]

5 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I haven't used the new passport yet.  Hopefully the complete name and new passport number won't be problem!

I suspect that @doctormann was more interested in whether you had experienced any international travel problems with your old, incorrect passport.

Edited February 28, 2018 by OJAS

[doctormann]

21 minutes ago, OJAS said:

I suspect that @doctormann was more interested in whether you had experienced any international travel problems with your old, incorrect passport.

 

Correct.

 

No further progress as yet.  May take some time for HMPO to get their act together.

 

[doctormann]

Update:

 

Just heard from HMPO UK that they are going to issue me a new passport at no charge!  I'm amazed and almost impressed.

 

Still have to go through the normal application procedure though so two trips to Trendy will be required.  I can live with that.

 

DM

[MaeJoMTB]

Few years back I applied for a UK passport and consular birth certificate for my son via Bangkok.

A week later a lady from BK phoned me up, "I've just noticed I spelled his first name wrong, and I've already sent the passport forms off to the UK, what should I do?" 

I said, "Spell his name wrong on the consular birth certificate so everything matches."

 

She said, "good  idea"

So that's what happened, my son now has a 'unique' first name.

 

Personally, I wouldn't have bothered replacing the passport.

I could live with being 2 years younger or older.

Edited March 9, 2018 by MaeJoMTB

[evadgib]

There's usually a disclaimer with all new passports inviting holders to check them on the day they are received.

 

As a dyslexic I would be bloody annoyed if I was in the OPs shoes.

[OJAS]

21 hours ago, doctormann said:

Update:

 

Just heard from HMPO UK that they are going to issue me a new passport at no charge!  I'm amazed and almost impressed.

 

Still have to go through the normal application procedure though so two trips to Trendy will be required.  I can live with that.

 

DM

Good grief, this is, indeed, a welcome surprise! Maybe HMPO were swayed by the fact that you didn't have to sign any form confirming that the details in your present passport were correct when it was issued, as you stated earlier in this thread.

 

But I strongly suspect that this will turn out to be a purely one-off decision given that new passports now, I gather, have to be signed for as correct when they are collected.

[doctormann]

25 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Good grief, this is, indeed, a welcome surprise! Maybe HMPO were swayed by the fact that you didn't have to sign any form confirming that the details in your present passport were correct when it was issued, as you stated earlier in this thread.

 

But I strongly suspect that this will turn out to be a purely one-off decision given that new passports now, I gather, have to be signed for as correct when they are collected.

 

Yes, I think that you are correct there. 

 

The procedure has changed since we were forced to use Trendy and I gather that now, on collection, you do have to sign that everything is correct.  My last passport was just couriered to my door by DHL - had to sign for the delivery of course but no opportunity to check anything.  Well, we live and learn so this next time I shall check everything in minute detail.  Just hope that they get it right!

 

 

[Eff1n2ret]

22 hours ago, doctormann said:

Update:

 

Just heard from HMPO UK that they are going to issue me a new passport at no charge!  I'm amazed and almost impressed.

 

Still have to go through the normal application procedure though so two trips to Trendy will be required.  I can live with that.

 

DM

Congratulations. I hope you don't have any problems transferring your current extension to the new passport.

[doctormann]

26 minutes ago, Eff1n2ret said:

Congratulations. I hope you don't have any problems transferring your current extension to the new passport.

 

Not expecting any problems but TiT so you can never be sure!

 

I transferred stamps back in 2014 when I got the current passport.  No problem and no charge.  That was at Jomptien.

 

[OJAS]

3 hours ago, OJAS said:

But I strongly suspect that this will turn out to be a purely one-off decision given that new passports now, I gather, have to be signed for as correct when they are collected.

And this, in turn, raises an interesting issue when agents are used. Would an agent be willing to accept liability for the cost of a further passport if they signed off a new passport containing errors on the applicant's behalf? It therefore strikes me as essential that those intending to use an agent sought specific clarification of this point from the agent at the outset - and, in particular, checked the terms of any agreement which the agent might ask them to sign, to ensure that these did not include any provisions in the small print which might arguably be construed as absolving the agent completely from any responsibility in such a situation.

Edited March 10, 2018 by OJAS

[Mattd]

On 3/9/2018 at 5:46 PM, doctormann said:

Update:

 

Just heard from HMPO UK that they are going to issue me a new passport at no charge!  I'm amazed and almost impressed.

 

Still have to go through the normal application procedure though so two trips to Trendy will be required.  I can live with that.

 

DM

Well done, there is hope left in life!

Seriously, that is good news.

[doctormann]

Update:

 

I submitted my replacement passport application at Trendy this morning.

No problems and I did not have to pay anything.  I wondered if I would still have to fork out for the courier fee but no charge for that either.

I should have the replacement passport in about four weeks' time.  I guess that Songkran may interfere with collecting it though so things may get delayed for a week.  We'll see - might even come early!

 

A bit of a heads-up:  Sukhumvit Soi 13 is in a state of being dug up at the moment.  Passable on foot, with care, but zero chance of getting a car anywhere near Trendy right now, at least from the Sukhumvit end.  Access into Soi 13 might be possible from one of the other sois - didn't check as I was on foot anyway.

 

[edwinchester]

On 19/03/2018 at 8:11 PM, doctormann said:

Update:

 

I submitted my replacement passport application at Trendy this morning.

No problems and I did not have to pay anything.  I wondered if I would still have to fork out for the courier fee but no charge for that either.

I should have the replacement passport in about four weeks' time.  I guess that Songkran may interfere with collecting it though so things may get delayed for a week.  We'll see - might even come early!

 

A bit of a heads-up:  Sukhumvit Soi 13 is in a state of being dug up at the moment.  Passable on foot, with care, but zero chance of getting a car anywhere near Trendy right now, at least from the Sukhumvit end.  Access into Soi 13 might be possible from one of the other sois - didn't check as I was on foot anyway.

 

Yes, if the entrance to Soi 13 is still blocked, access to the Trendy car park can be made from the other end of Soi 13. Turn left instead into Soi 15 and after about 250 turn left again, follow that about 100m and turn left into Soi 13 and continue to the multi storey.

Edited March 21, 2018 by edwinchester

[doctormann]

I'm happy to report that this saga is now successfully completed.

 

The new passport took only nine working days to be delivered to Trendy.  I collected it on 03 April and took it to Jomptien Immigration the next day.  Got it back today with the stamps transferred.  Immigration wanted copies of old and new passport data pages and stamps.  Also had to fill out another form, which basically said the same as the transfer request letter that HMPO provided.

 

No cost to me, apart from two trips to Bangkok, and I got the full ten years validity.  I was half expecting to only get the balance of six years so was pleasantly surprised.

 

So, if you want some extra years on your passport, all you have to do is to get HMPO to make an error and then not notice this for a few years.  Then point out the error and get a new passport for free!  Probably not really a good strategy though!

 

By the way, Sukhumvit Soi 13 is now back to normal access.