Renewing a passport

I renewed my passport recently at the P.O. An expensive option but, in my opinion, worth it. New passport arrived within a week. No issue with my photo although the P.O. customer service assistant was uncertain it would be accepted as I appeared to be smiling. I disagreed and, obviously, so did the passport office. But the guy was only doing his job in checking my application which is what I paid for.

14 photos I took before almost giving up. In the end I decided to have one last try just sat on the sofa and it came up good straight away. I don't think they really like white walls as they cause some reflection

We also did ours at the Post Office, so straightforward and they take your pic and get an immediate tick or cross. We were kept up to date on progress and they were delivered about 10 days later, well worth the cost in my opinion.

Janelle17

For anyone buying a passport just as a means of identification, did you know you can get a UK Citizen Card much cheaper?
www.citizencard.com/

The Citizens ID card is not accepted by banks. It has not been approved by the FSA. You need a driving licence or passport to open a bank account.

I used to work for the post office and our guidance was that the photograph should really have been taken within the past month.

Another vote for the Post Office, the service was brilliant and passport took 7 days, worth the extra money.
Yes your photo has to be definitely taken within the past month before application.

lilydily9

I renewed my passport recently at the P.O. An expensive option but, in my opinion, worth it. New passport arrived within a week. No issue with my photo although the P.O. customer service assistant was uncertain it would be accepted as I appeared to be smiling. I disagreed and, obviously, so did the passport office. But the guy was only doing his job in checking my application which is what I paid for.

You had the one where they help you do the forms etc. There is a better one that SOME Post Offices do (check online for your nearest) they actually take your photo and make sure you are happy with it before using it.

They do everything including sending it off. Every day you get messages to say where it is in the system and we got ours back in a week.

Here in Canada we have to get our photos done by an approved photography studio. But they will redo for free if the photo isn't accepted. And our photos can't be more than 6 months old.

El73

I used to work for the post office and our guidance was that the photograph should really have been taken within the past month.

Absolutely.

The Passport Office guidelines also say that photos must be taken within the last month

Max Spielmans have photo booths as well as shops. There’s a booth at my Asda. You opt for passport photo, and it will tell you when one’s acceptable. When you go online to renew your passport, all you have to do is give the number on the photographs you got from the machine, and the passport office upload the picture from that.

Pretty sure they will accept it. I sent for mine with a photo on my phone taken against a white wall.
It's an automated system, so if it reads a bit of shadow or some other anomaly it will flag it up.
Took another photo and it said it might not be accepted and asked me to give reasons... Etc. I typed in that it was a good likeness. Posted my old passport at the PO the next day and got my replacement in just over a week.

Well I’m back from holiday from Ibiza today and I am going to renew my passport it’s running till May anyway, but I thought I better get it done but now not sure whether to do it online or in the post office 🤷‍♀️

Janelle17

For anyone buying a passport just as a means of identification, did you know you can get a UK Citizen Card much cheaper?
www.citizencard.com/

I don't think banks, solicitors (money laundering rules) etc accept the citizen card

My bus pass has a photograph which I think has been accepted in the past as proof of identity. My on-line railcard also has a photograph. I don't know if these will be accepted as evidence at the polling station, but for now I still have my passport and driving licence.

I must have been lucky for a change. Renewed my passport and the new one delivered in 6 days, that was in March.

I tried taking my own till it was taking up too much time...went to booth in local supermarket...I mean for £6 it was a doddle. Cannot someone give you a lift to one? They accepted it straight away.

Your government passport agency is far more efficient, it sounds, than ours in the US. Of course bigger country, more people applying, renewing takes time. We’ve been warned - three months minimum turnaround! 🫤

If you wish for an expedited passport it will cost an extra $150 and it will take 3-4 weeks (I heard…)

I have to renew, I guess I’m not going anywhere fast. Wish I could keep my old picture - it’s a goodie. 😉
USA Gundy

Fiorintina51 hope you got a photo of the turtled headed photographer. Couldn't stop laughing at that

I just renewed mine for 10 years & have been told by the Doctor I can’t travel.I guess it’s good ID.

My photograph was rejected because the background was too white although it was taken by a professional (I had four photos) gave another, accepted, no problem.

Doing it at the Post office seems best. My OH's arrived after a week.

This reminds me of accounts I have read of husbands or wives rushing out of the house in a hurry to get to the airport and accidentally picking up their spouce’s passport.
In many instances they managed to get to their destination and back without the mistake being picked up!

Not to be recommended though!

Hey there! Thanks for the heads-up on the UK Citizen Card! It's definitely worth considering for those who primarily need ID. Passport renewal can be quite the process, so having more affordable options is always a win. Plus, it serves the same purpose for identity validation service without breaking the bank. Appreciate the tip!

Sorry if I appear a bit slow, but when you submit passport applications online, do new photos not have to be countersigned anymore?