Requirements for UK passport renewal

[Batty]

Hi there. Would someone be kind enough to confirm if I have the following information correct in terms of what is required for passport renewal in BKK?

 

2 passport photographs.

 

Copy of Birth certificate (really?).

 

Proof of address, translated into English from an official translation authority (again, really?).

 

Copy of every page of the current passport. Again, that's every page. 

 

Completed application form. 

 

Did I miss anything? Do they really need a copy of my birth certificate? I am utterly clueless how to get a copy of that without flying back to England and applying for one?

 

[howerde]

.

[brewsterbudgen]

I didn't need a copy of my birth certificate when I last renewed my passport in Bangkok.

 

Yes, you need proof of your address in Thailand, in English.

 

Yes, every page needs to be copied in colour.  But, in Thailand, you retain your passport while the new one is being issued.

[KannikaP]

6 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes, every page needs to be copied in colour. 

How bloody silly. Must they be printed out, one-sided or each page on a separate sheet, as in Thailand?

Do they not have computer records of your ins & outs?

[lungbing]

Use an agent.  They copy everything, take the application in and collect it for you when it arrives.  If you live outside Bangkok it's cheaper than two round-trip flights.  Your Thai driving license has your address on and is acceptable.  All you provide are the photos.  (Really!)

[josephbloggs]

5 hours ago, Batty said:

Hi there. Would someone be kind enough to confirm if I have the following information correct in terms of what is required for passport renewal in BKK?

 

2 passport photographs.

 

Copy of Birth certificate (really?).

 

Proof of address, translated into English from an official translation authority (again, really?).

 

Copy of every page of the current passport. Again, that's every page. 

 

Completed application form. 

 

Did I miss anything? Do they really need a copy of my birth certificate? I am utterly clueless how to get a copy of that without flying back to England and applying for one?

 

As others have said you do not need a birth certificate for renewal. And a Thai driver's license is sufficient for proof of address.

If ever you do need a birth certificate copy you don't need to fly back, you can do it online. I did it once years ago when my first child was born - easy.
 

[Upnotover]

5 hours ago, Batty said:

Did I miss anything? Do they really need a copy of my birth certificate? I am utterly clueless how to get a copy of that without flying back to England and applying for one?

No they don't need it.  Did you even look here already?......

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/thailand/renew/adult

[transam]

12 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How bloody silly. Must they be printed out, one-sided or each page on a separate sheet, as in Thailand?

Do they not have computer records of your ins & outs?

Every PP page must be copied on A4 (mine was), they check them all, for address, I used a UK Gov.letter, such as Life Cert letter with my address on.

Didn't need a birth certificate........I did have a prob with photos, god knows why....

Anyhooooo, the next PP renewal I used Key Visa Service, all done by post, well worth the 5k bht fee..

[Upnotover]

22 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How bloody silly. Must they be printed out, one-sided or each page on a separate sheet, as in Thailand?

Do they not have computer records of your ins & outs?

That's not the point.  They want a full copy of your passport in order for you to keep hold of it in Thailand as you are legally required to do.  Other countries ignore that requirement.  Who's right or wrong is moot.  But it's hardly a difficult task in any case.

[KannikaP]

25 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

No they don't need it.  Did you even look here already?......

https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/overseas/information/thailand/renew/adult

You CAN get Birth and Marriage Certificate copies from Gov.uk.

[Upnotover]

5 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

You CAN get Birth and Marriage Certificate copies from Gov.uk.

You CAN but you don't need to to renew a passport.

[bigt3116]

36 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

They want a full copy of your passport in order for you to keep hold of it in Thailand as you are legally required to do. 

 

Nope, the law only requires that you can provide your passport in a "reasonable time"

[hotandsticky]

5 minutes ago, bigt3116 said:

 

Nope, the law only requires that you can provide your passport in a "reasonable time"

 

 

There is no law and no one in 18 years has been able to reference any part of the Civil and Commercial Code, that say syou have to carry your passport at all times. 

 

Evidence suggests that the "reasonable time" principle holds good - although there are stories of the police not making it easy to access said passport (by detaining the holder).

[bigt3116]

12 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

There is no law and no one in 18 years has been able to reference any part of the Civil and Commercial Code, that say syou have to carry your passport at all times. 

 

Evidence suggests that the "reasonable time" principle holds good - although there are stories of the police not making it easy to access said passport (by detaining the holder).

 

This section of the Immigration act is what they use to make you produce your passport;

 

"Section 58 : Any alien who has no lawful document for entering the Kingdom under Section 12 (1); or has no Residence Certificate under this Act; and also has no identification in accordance with the Law on Alien registration, is considered to have entered into the Kingdom in violation to this Act."

[hotandsticky]

1 hour ago, bigt3116 said:

 

This section of the Immigration act is what they use to make you produce your passport;

 

"Section 58 : Any alien who has no lawful document for entering the Kingdom under Section 12 (1); or has no Residence Certificate under this Act; and also has no identification in accordance with the Law on Alien registration, is considered to have entered into the Kingdom in violation to this Act."

 

Thanks.

 

Hence the joint police/immigration operations.

[petermik]

On 12/12/2024 at 7:25 PM, lungbing said:

Use an agent.  They copy everything, take the application in and collect it for you when it arrives.  If you live outside Bangkok it's cheaper than two round-trip flights.  Your Thai driving license has your address on and is acceptable.  All you provide are the photos.  (Really!)

My local agent quotes 14k baht for a passport renewal......

[KannikaP]

11 minutes ago, petermik said:

My local agent quotes 14k baht for a passport renewal......

Where please is local. And does that include the cost of renewal?

[transam]

15 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Where please is local. And does that include the cost of renewal?

Key Visa Service is still 5000bht plus the cost of the PP, you can also use their bank card to pay for it, which is paid in the UK for a fee. Cost me in total 12,000bht a couple of years back for a jumbo PP... 

 

https://www.keyvisathailand.com/services/renewing-uk-passport-thailand/#:~:text=Key Visa can take away,passport when it is ready.

[scottiejohn]

On 12/12/2024 at 7:25 PM, lungbing said:

Your Thai driving license has your address on and is acceptable.  All you provide are the photos.  (Really!)

If you do not have a driving licence get your bank (BKK in my case) to print out a bank statement with your address in English!

I did it that way in CM with my normal visa agent (legit) last year!

[petermik]

4 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Where please is local. And does that include the cost of renewal?

 Key Visa Pattaya....that is the cost of renewal

[richard_smith237]

VFS at Belle Grande Rama 9 Bangkok.

E-mail to make a booking: <removed>

 

 

- 2x Passports taken within last month

- Proof of Address in Thailand (in English language / Thai Driving license will do)

- Colour Photocopy of every page (I did separate sheets for each page - not dual sided)

- Credit Card (for payment - write out details on form)

- Original Passport

- Booking confirmation

 

[Upnotover]

On 12/16/2024 at 12:08 AM, richard_smith237 said:

VFS at Belle Grande Rama 9 Bangkok.

E-mail to make a booking: <removed>

 

 

- 2x Passports taken within last month

- Proof of Address in Thailand (in English language / Thai Driving license will do)

- Colour Photocopy of every page (I did separate sheets for each page - not dual sided)

- Credit Card (for payment - write out details on form)

- Original Passport

- Booking confirmation

 

 

Actually it has changed a little.  You now make an appointment online at VFS.  The email address is still there only if you have problems with that system.  I haven't tried so have no idea if it works well or not but hopefully better than the old choice of 3 system.

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

 

Actually it has changed a little.  You now make an appointment online at VFS.  The email address is still there only if you have problems with that system.  I haven't tried so have no idea if it works well or not but hopefully better than the old choice of 3 system.

 

I did this 10 weeks ago - the online system was glitchy... hence the e-mail.