British Passport Renewal

[chickencurry]

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post this one on.

My OH needs to renew his British passport. We moved to Phuket 6 months ago (on retirement visas). Just downloaded the UK passport application forms and it says that you need a British national (or citizen locally) to countersign and confirm they have known you for at least 2 years.

Well we've only been here 6 months so don't know anyone in Phuket for 2 years. Don't have time to send the forms/photo to anyone outside Thailand.

Will contact British Embassy in Bangkok and believe there is an honorary consul in Phuket we can contact for assistance, but has anyone experienced this problem and have any positive advice?

[bendix]

Are you sure you need a British national? I renewed my UK passport six months ago in Bangkok and had an American lawyer friend do it for me. I don't recall any mention of British nationals being needed.

Incidentally, the same US lawyer is doing the same thing for my New Zealand passport, currently being renewed.

[Lite Beer]

When I renewed mine I used my landlords wife (Thai) who works in a bank.

From what I gather it is not really needed for renewals.

[nonthaburial]

If you renew your Passport yourself and turn up in person, there is no need to be vouched for !

[bendix]

Not sure that's true. You still need someone to authenticate the photo etc. I took mine in person to the Bkk Embassy, but it still needed the authorisation. I think that's standard practice.

[Daffy D]

Not sure if this is the correct forum to post this one on.

My OH needs to renew his British passport. We moved to Phuket 6 months ago (on retirement visas). Just downloaded the UK passport application forms and it says that you need a British national (or citizen locally) to countersign and confirm they have known you for at least 2 years.

Well we've only been here 6 months so don't know anyone in Phuket for 2 years. Don't have time to send the forms/photo to anyone outside Thailand.

Will contact British Embassy in Bangkok and believe there is an honorary consul in Phuket we can contact for assistance, but has anyone experienced this problem and have any positive advice?

I have renewed my passport here in Bangkok and they do not require those signatures.

I also renewed a passport in KL again without problem no countersign required. I think they realize traveling people do not tend to know anyone for two years.

[nonthaburial]

Sorry bendix, but this was confirmed prior to my last two visits and had no problems

[Familyonthemove]

I renewed my British Passport at the British Consul in Bombay (just before I moved to Bangkok) and I got an ex-pat friend to sign the forms. There were no checks at the Consulate on how long I'd known him ..... so long as he has a British Passport and a resonable profession to put on the form, should be fine.

[the scouser]

If you renew your Passport yourself and turn up in person, there is no need to be vouched for !

That's right: you don't need to have the application countersigned for a renewal unless your appearance has dramatically changed since the last passport was issued.

Scouse.

[billd766]

How about children?

My son will be 4 next month and his passport will expire 1 year later.

[A_Traveller]

This is one of those, oh so classic British compromises. The form issued for renewals include the requirement for an appropriate person to certify {Note: it doesn't have to be a UK citizen, but can be a [duly verifiable] local lawyer, police or bank officer, doctor} that the image is a true likeness if the applicant is not applying personally.

However, if the applicant(s) is applying personally then the receiving consular officer becomes, de facto, the certifier. By the by the same is true, if in the UK you go to the Passport Service personally, though, naturally, only for renewals.

This change is never clearly stated but it is the position. As to children, my understanding is that they should be present, given the inevitable changes of growing up, with their parents or guardians at the time of submission.

Regards

Edited July 21, 2008 by A_Traveller

[the scouser]

There is no requirement to provide countersignatories even if renewing by post. However, a child under 11 must have a renewal countersigned by two people in the named professions who know the parent.

Scouse.

Edit// Sorry, I'm going potty. Only one countersignatory is required when appropriate.

[marquess]

There is no requirement to provide countersignatories even if renewing by post. However, a child under 11 must have a renewal countersigned but two people in the named professions who know the parent.

Scouse.

I rang the emabssy this morning and it was confirmed to me that there is no need for the counter signature if you apply in person!

[sweetchariot]

I did mine by post a couple of months ago, and got my Thai lawyer to sign it - no fee.

Funnily enough there was another English guy there wanting the same. She had never met him before but happily signed it for 1,500 baht

[markuk]

never had a problem with this - just explain toe the embassy and they will understand if you are genuine.

[cmsally]

Can anyone confirm that this is right. You don't need the countersignature on form or photos if you turn up in person.

I picked up forms in Chiang Mai, was originally going to post. But now am taking to Bangkok myself. It would seem stupid to need a countersignature if turning up with old passport in person at the Embassy!

[BlueScouse]

I have renewed my passport 3 times at the embassy in Bangkok.

You do not need the countersignature on the form or photos.

[beano2274]

Lost my original passport, did not need anyone to sign anything, except myself.

[cmsally]

Thank you for that. I actually got my neighbour to sign to be on the safe side. I will ask at the embassy tomorrow to see exactly what are the requirements about countersignature.

[Johnniey]

I've renewed my British passport twice - once in Bangkok and once by post. I forgot how long it took by post.

Does anyone know the time it takes by post?

[beano2274]

New applications for British Passports are sent to Hong Kong and it usually takes about 3 weeks, however, please be aware that on the Hong Kong website it now states that they will receive your application but the passport will be sent from the UK to your home address in Thailand, the courier costs have therefore increased.

Also if renewing no need for people to sign, unless your appearance has changed dramatically or you are a child.

Edited September 12, 2011 by beano2274

[nonthaburial]

I am in China and need to renew my British Passport which is full. residents of China an d thailand have to send their passports etc to thje HK office, but search as I might i cannot find a link to download the Credit card form for payment.Cash is not accepted and only CC's accepted but wheres the form to fill in ??

[ludditeman]

When I did it (first passport for child) at the Consulate they said anyone of any nationality was OK to sign it.

[ludditeman]

My kids first UK passport arrived today, six weeks old, passport took 5 weeks beginning to end.

They spelt his middle name wrong, but at least consular birth registration and passport match!

[Upnotover]

I am in China and need to renew my British Passport which is full. residents of China an d thailand have to send their passports etc to thje HK office, but search as I might i cannot find a link to download the Credit card form for payment.Cash is not accepted and only CC's accepted but wheres the form to fill in ??

Its here - http://ukinhongkong....thorisation.pdf

[KarenBravo]

Mine took three weeks from going to DHL in Phuket until DHL delivered to my house. Not bad.

[KKvampire]

Three weeks? considering what they charge , around a thousand bht + seven thousand for the passport they should be fast.