Renewing A UK Passport Using A Different Method.

[Formaleins]

Not sure of the legality of this but it looks more like a technical issue rather than a legal issue. ( I see that TV is advertising a UK passport Renewal Service here that borders on what may be considered illegal anyway - I just wondered if my method would cause any problems?)

 

I need to renew my son's UK passport and really do not relish the thought of the trip to Trendy again to do it. I note there is a site on here offering this service for about 5K, which while it appears worth it financially, worries me regarding the posting of passports to people I do not know.

 

What I was thinking of was to complete his passport application then bundle everything off by EMS Recorded to my UK (Mother or brother's address in the UK).

 

They could then open the package and re post or hand carry (as express) to the local passport office in that area of the UK. The express service can normally get the passport back in 24 hours. and there appears to be no need for the applicant to do this in person, so a proxy could carry this out.

 

I am just wondering if there is any real legal reason why I could not do this? It does not save me huge amounts of money as far as paying for the passport as the fees are only marginally cheaper and I would need to pay for registered post both directions anyway. What it saves me is time and the hassle of the trip down to Trendy in Bangkok (possibly twice).

 

Has anyone done this if so are there any pitfalls?

 

Thanks

[poohy]

Reminds me of the old days of posting passport to Hull From BKK to get a non B complete with exit and entry stamps

 

Possibly only problem is no Thai exit and entry stamp could be picked up! which may cause problems down the line

[richard_smith237]

I guess the only issues is if your witnessed Signature is required as the legal guardian when applying for the passport. 

 

Theoretically, this is simply the same as applying for renewal from within the UK, which now requires appointments etc (if I'm not mistaken). 

 

Another option: IF I am not mistaken.... Your son is a British citizen will not be declined entry even with an expired Passport - thus, unless you need the passport for other countries, just change it when you are next in the UK (assuming he's half Thai and can depart on his Thai Passport).

 

 

All of that said: Its a Passport and a rather important document - thus, its best to get it right. 

Bite the bullet and simply apply, then collect. 

I recently renewed my sons passport - Made an appointment at VFS and submitted the application the following week (in & out of Trendy within 15mins). Two weeks later pickup was more of a pain in the backside, there was a power outage, no lifts or escalators and chaos on the ground floor... I had lunch and returned a couple of hrs later to collect the passport. 

 

[Kwasaki]

I am using the service the cost 5000k bht is worth it IMO and saves hassle.

Send passport by EMS.

[BLACKJACK2]

The only thing would be his proof of address wether in Thailand or UK

[Argus Tuft]

19 hours ago, poohy said:

Possibly only problem is no Thai exit and entry stamp could be picked up! which may cause problems down the line

No stamps on entry or exit in to and out of UK on a UK passport (unless things have changed recently) - so this won't be an issue

 

Can't see a problem with the OP sending it off to the UK to process via family members there, but as I have not done this particular method before will defer to those with experience

[Jip99]

This has been covered previously.......this is the response I received from HMPO..

 

Thank you for your enquiry.



The Home Office advise that for security purposes a passport must not be taken over a border without the holder in possession.

If you post your passport to a residential address in another country it potentially could be retained by the Border Agency and cancelled, This could influence that actual granting of a UK Passport as there is no absolute entitlement.

The package you use could also be damaged during the delivery process and be compromised or end up in the possession of a 3rd party which could lead to identity theft.



To confirm the notes on the declaration form that you need to read before signing;



When the application form is completed and signed by yourself, if you are not resident at the address you provide, you are making a false statement for which you could be prosecuted and a potential prison sentence.

If the passport is lost in transit or has a delivery issue you will need to attend in person to collect it. As you possibly will not have any other travel documents to return to the UK it would leave you in a difficult position.



Taking the above into account and you state that the action you are suggesting will save time and money, the repercussions of being caught are severe.

 

[Kwasaki]

49 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

This has been covered previously.......this is the response I received from HMPO..

 

What kind of response did you expect. ????

[Jip99]

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

 

What kind of response did you expect. ????

 

True...... they were never going to support such action ????

 

 

The question needed to be asked because some smart-asses we’re recommending sending the passport renewal to the UK.

 

The first response I received was a bog standard reply simply quoting the website - I challenged that and got (what I thought) was a practical and honest answer.

 

Apart from the obvious risks of being parted from your passport, HMPO have confirmed that the declaration would be fraudulent.

 

That makes it a no-brainer  for me.

Edited October 1, 2018 by Jip99

[Kwasaki]

10 hours ago, Jip99 said:

 

True...... they were never going to support such action ????

 

 

The question needed to be asked because some smart-asses we’re recommending sending the passport renewal to the UK.

 

The first response I received was a bog standard reply simply quoting the website - I challenged that and got (what I thought) was a practical and honest answer.

 

Apart from the obvious risks of being parted from your passport, HMPO have confirmed that the declaration would be fraudulent.

 

That makes it a no-brainer  for me.

 

Just another grey area in my book, last time got my passport renewal from Hong Kong UK embassy they wanted my passport but I only sent them a copy so not sure what would happen.

I just sent forms and was told to use DHL courier post, I was not happy with the procedure but relieved when eventually got my new passport as DHL don't deliver to my area of Thailand. 

This time I will use the agency that is advertised here on Thaivisa and the 5000 bht will save me the hassle of doing it myself.

[7by7]

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Just another grey area in my book,

It is not a grey area, the suggestion made by the OP is illegal as it involves making a fraudulent declaration.

 

There is also the possibility of the old or new passport being lost or damaged in transit to or from the UK. Explain that to HMPO when applying for a new one!

 

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

last time got my passport renewal from Hong Kong UK embassy they wanted my passport but I only sent them a copy so not sure what would happen.

Both the British embassy and HMPO are fully aware, and always have been, that foreigners in Thailand must be able to produce their passport on demand. Therefore when renewing a British passport in Thailand, even when renewals were sent to Hong Kong, one has never had to surrender one's existing passport, but instead submit a copy.

 

Of course, following the OP's advice means sending the existing passport to the UK, so what would you do if challenged for it in Thailand during the unknown period of time it's away?

 

I am not suggesting using the services of an agent in Thailand to submit the application in Bangkok for you, but if you can't, or wont, travel there yourself doing that is a better alternative than sending the passport and application to the UK with all the risks that involves.

Edited October 2, 2018 by 7by7
Correct typo

[Kwasaki]

5 minutes ago, 7by7 said:

It is not a grey area, the suggestion made by the OP is illegal as it involves making a fraudulent declaration.

 

There is also the possibility of the old or new passport being lost or damaged in transit to or from the UK. Explain that to HMPO when applying for a new one!

 

Both the British embassy and HMPO are fully aware, and always have been, that foreigners in Thailand must be able to produce their passport on demand. Therefore when renewing a British passport in Thailand, even when renewals were sent to Hong Kong, one has never had to surrender one's existing passport, but instead submit a copy.

 

Of course, following the OP's advice means sending the existing passport to the UK, so what would you do if challenged for it in Thailand during the unknown period of time it's away?

 

I am not suggesting using the services of an agent in Thailand to submit the application in Bangkok for you, but if you can't, or wont, travel there yourself doing that is a better alternative than sending the passport and application to the UK with all the risks that involves.

 

Thanks looks like I've mis-understood the thread along the way with just telling what I have done and what I'm doing next year when renewing passport.

 

 

 

 

[evadgib]

My understanding of the OPs post is that it his SONS PASSPORT & therefore I assume that he (son) is a dual national (ie no need for the ol' '24/7' chestnut) and a minor aplying via relatives in UK therefore most of these comments can arguably be ignored.

 

Whether or not it's legal is for others to decide but for LoS it's on par with having a bank card etc forwarded via our families as many of us chose to do.

 

No flames please, I'm merely trying to put the thread back on track.

[Formaleins]

On 9/30/2018 at 11:25 PM, poohy said:

Reminds me of the old days of posting passport to Hull From BKK to get a non B complete with exit and entry stamps

 

Possibly only problem is no Thai exit and entry stamp could be picked up! which may cause problems down the line

Cheers, that won't be an issue as he has a Thai passport as well so we use that to enter and exit.

[Formaleins]

20 hours ago, Jip99 said:

This has been covered previously.......this is the response I received from HMPO..

 

Thank you for your enquiry.



The Home Office advise that for security purposes a passport must not be taken over a border without the holder in possession.

If you post your passport to a residential address in another country it potentially could be retained by the Border Agency and cancelled, This could influence that actual granting of a UK Passport as there is no absolute entitlement.

The package you use could also be damaged during the delivery process and be compromised or end up in the possession of a 3rd party which could lead to identity theft.



To confirm the notes on the declaration form that you need to read before signing;



When the application form is completed and signed by yourself, if you are not resident at the address you provide, you are making a false statement for which you could be prosecuted and a potential prison sentence.

If the passport is lost in transit or has a delivery issue you will need to attend in person to collect it. As you possibly will not have any other travel documents to return to the UK it would leave you in a difficult position.



Taking the above into account and you state that the action you are suggesting will save time and money, the repercussions of being caught are severe.

 

You will also notice that on the Website from the British Government it states that the applicant must apply in person, then in the very next sentence it goes on to state that if you cannot apply in person......someone else can do it! So basically it is a load of crap with loads of contradictions.

[BLACKJACK2]

3 hours ago, Formaleins said:

You will also notice that on the Website from the British Government it states that the applicant must apply in person, then in the very next sentence it goes on to state that if you cannot apply in person......someone else can do it! So basically it is a load of crap with loads of contradictions.

The whole process is a load of contradictions but you still need documentation to show which country he resides in, have just done my son's and had to get a letter from his school stating he was at school in Thailand.

[7by7]

Can someone else submit the application in person on behalf of the applicant, particularly if the applicant is a child?

 

Yes.

 

Can one apply in the UK from outside the UK?

 

No. 

 

To apply one needs to give one's address. If applying in the UK this address must be in the UK. The applicant signs a declaration, or if a child a parent or guardian signs, to say that all the information on the form is true; as does the countersignatory. Signing these declarations when some of the information on the form is false is a crime.

 

The caution in the declarations makes this clear.

Quote

It is a criminal offence to make a false statement to get a passport. If you have made a false statement on this form, you could be prosecuted and could go to prison. …..

 

It is a criminal offence to make a false statement to help someone get a passport. Check the form properly before you fill in this section. If you have made any false statements on this form, or if you know that the person applying has made any false statements on this form, you could be prosecuted and could go to prison.