Applying for a UK Passport in the UK for a Child in Thailand

[kenjin]

Hello,

My son is 10 years old and was born in Thailand and never been to the UK, he does however have a British birth certificate that I applied for when he was a baby.

Now my Mother is here on holiday and is returning to the UK for 6 weeks. My question is this, if I fill out the forms and give them to her, can she send them to the British passport agency in the UK and apply for his passport that way or do I have to apply from here in Thailand as this is where he is living right now?

Thanks

[thomas28]

No she won't be able too. I recently was misinformed by the uk passport advice line for a passport for my son and came back to uk to find out you cannot apply for an applicant outside of the uk.

The only way you can apply is in person, by making an appointment with Vfs in Bangkok,sukhumvit. Email them on this and make an appointment. [email protected]

Download the form on www.gov.uk/overseas-passports but you need to get the form and photos countersigned by somebody British, Which is also difficult being in thailand.

Once the passport is completed you will also have to return to Bangkok to collect it as they do not Send passports in the post.

The whole new system is stupid, I asked vfs office does my son have to be present when I apply for his passport in Bangkok, they said 'No'

So my question was if he doesn't have to be present there in Bangkok, why can't I apply in the uk ?

they couldn't answer my question. All they said was it's the rules!

Good luck mate..

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[theoldgit]

It may be the rules but the website seems to indicate that you can apply online and have the passport delivered to a UK address.

That would seem to work providing that the hard copy of the application is posted in the UK using a UK address, any supporting documents have a UK address and the child is not required to be seen in person.

[thomas28]

You apply online and print application which you take to an interview at trendy building in sukhumvit. Maybe you can have it sent to uk . I am not sure about that.

If they will surely they would send it by post to Thailand address.

They emailed mr back saying the only way is to collext in person

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[theoldgit]

Yes I realise that, but the OP is asking if his wife can order the passport whilst she is in the UK, and have the passport delivered there.

Probably not strictly legit, but it might be doable.

[Waterloo]

Yes I realise that, but the OP is asking if his wife can order the passport whilst she is in the UK, and have the passport delivered there.

Probably not strictly legit, but it might be doable.

only ever applied for our childrens passports in the UK, the whole thing was done by post!

I should add for clarity we live in the UK.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Waterloo

[thomas28]

I tried two weeks ago. I took my documents to the uk office in London. They told me if he is not present in the uk you can't apply. Anyone overseas cannot apply in the uk

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[Jay Sata]

Duplicate post removed.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Jay Sata

[Jay Sata]

It seems logical to me that if a ten year old is resident in Thailand then the application has to be done there.

To complicate matters you are not resident in the UK.

Why did you not get a passport for him several years ago?

[theoldgit]

It seems logical to me that if a ten year old is resident in Thailand then the application has to be done there.

To complicate matters you are not resident in the UK.

Why did you not get a passport for him several years ago?

It makes eminent sense to try and renew or obtain a new passport whilst in the UK rather than put yourself through the new improved process in Bangkok, in fact the UK Government seem to think so as well and offer advice on how to do so ithttps://www.gov.uk/passport-application-while-visiting-uk.

Whilst in this case there is a complication that the child is not physically in the UK, it still seems doable.

It isn't your or my concern that the OP has left it a number of years before applying for the passport, he simply asked the question.

[thomas28]

Good link oldgit. In kenjin case he might aswell just apply in bangkok and save all this hassle as he lives in Thailand.

My situation is I have just applied for settlement for my wife and have a newborn baby, but I live in the uk.

I have read all through your link but it does not state anywhere if the applicant is outside the uk, they can aoply for a passport .

This is what happened to me, my newborn was in Thailand whilst I applied in the uk.

Like I stated before, my newborn doesnt have to be present at the office interview in bangkok or the uk, so what difference does it make?

Plus they make you apply from bangkok. they send the form to overseas Liverpool office in the uk back to Bangkok.

But you cant apply in the uk. Which makes no sense

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[Jay Sata]

The UK government website quite clearly states what to do if you are not in the UK.

In the case of Thailand the following is the protocol.

You must apply in person.

You must bring photo ID with you.

Bring original supporting documents and a photocopy of each one. The original documents will be returned to you.

Youll need to book an appointment by email. Include your name and surname and 3 alternative dates and times. You will receive an email confirming your appointment.

UK Visa Application Centre

The Trendy Office Building,

28th Floor,

Sukhumvit Soi13,

Klongtoey-Nua,

Wattana,

Bangkok

10110,

Thailand

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Edited May 17, 2014 by Jay Sata

[thomas28]

That is what I have now done jay sata. I return next week for my appointment.

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[theoldgit]

I think everyone knows the official line Jay, all you have done is cut and pasted what has already been posted umpteen times across the forum.

The OP didn't ask what the official line was, he asked if it was possible to obtain a passport whilst visiting the UK, and it seems it could be done, even if not strictly complying with the rules.

[thomas28]

Oldgit. They will not change the rules thisnis ehy I am returning to thailand. Why will they change the rules for ken jin?

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[theoldgit]

@thomas28, I don't suppose for one minute they will change their rules, the point I'm making is it seems possible for the OP's wife to get the child's passport whilst she's in the UK using the official online system, it might not comply with the spirit of the rules, but I suspect such an application would succeed.

[thomas28]

He can try, but this is what I am saying, I done what you are saying and it didnt work. Now I am travelling back to Thailand.

If he is thailand is it worth the risk of sending his mother incase it doesnt work.

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[Jay Sata]

In reply to the oldgit.

That would constitute making a false application?

It could also cause problems for the holder in the future.

Whatever the age of the applicant they have to be in the UK according to the rules to make an application in country.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Jay Sata

[theoldgit]

But you went to the Passport Office and were given the official line.

All I'm saying is that if the OP's wife applied online whilst she's in the UK, chances are the passport would be delivered to her whilst she's there.

[theoldgit]

In reply to the oldgit.

That would constitute making a false application?

I never said it fully complied with the rules.

[Jay Sata]

In reply to the oldgit.

That would constitute making a false application?

I never said it fully complied with the rules.

Well something either complies or does not.

In the scenario you suggest the applicant would have to lie about being in the UK.

[theoldgit]

@Jay Sata, I'm not getting into a row and I'm not arguing with your cut and paste job, but I did say "Whilst in this case there is a complication that the child is not physically in the UK, it still seems doable.