Copying From British Passports - Legal?

[Richard W]

Given the frequency with which passports get photocopied in Thailand, I was amazed to see the attached advice from the UK Identity and Passport Service on photocopying passports. It solemnly gives the IPS permission to ask for photocopies of the bio data page without consulting the Parliamentary and Correspondence Management Team!

[theoldgit]

So, in theory, a person making an application to renew their passport in Hong Kong should seek permission from the Parliamentary and Correspondence Management Team before supplying a copy of their passports bio page, as it seems that the exemption for seeking permission only applies where the IPS seeks clarification from a countersignatory?

[johna]

Its Copyright not photocopy

[harrry]

Does the law have extrateritoriality.? It may still be legal here

Edited November 11, 2012 by harrry

[Richard W]

So, in theory, a person making an application to renew their passport in Hong Kong should seek permission from the Parliamentary and Correspondence Management Team before supplying a copy of their passports bio page, as it seems that the exemption for seeking permission only applies where the IPS seeks clarification from a countersignatory?

I believe it is adequate for the framer of the application procedure to have successfully sought permission, for the applicant can claim that the Crown has authorised photocopying by instructing that it be done.

On further digging, the relevant permissions available at HMSO Guidance Note 20 are much clearer. The link I originally gave has been slagged off in a court submission! (Abu Hamza was desperately trying to get hold of his passport or a photocopy of it - perhaps he's lost his old passport and realises he might not get back into Britain if he can't find any of his British passports - a naturalisation certificate is not evidence enough to get you back into Britain!) However, supporting passport applications does not appear to be a permitted purpose!

Edited November 11, 2012 by Richard W