Passport Renewal

[hibsboy90]

I need to renew my UK passport soon (expires March 2010) and I'm having a look at the information on the DirectGov site.

However, I don't quite understand how my biometric information is collected, there is plenty of info abiut the form, fees and how to send it in, but how do the passport service take the info from the form, and then gather my fingerprint, eye details etc.

Do i then need to go into their offices?

Anyone renewed theirs recently that could help?

Thanks

[PeeJay]

I need to renew my UK passport soon (expires March 2010) and I'm having a look at the information on the DirectGov site.

However, I don't quite understand how my biometric information is collected, there is plenty of info abiut the form, fees and how to send it in, but how do the passport service take the info from the form, and then gather my fingerprint, eye details etc.

Do i then need to go into their offices?

Anyone renewed theirs recently that could help?

Thanks

I renewed my passport last year in May - the only supportive document required was a suitable photograph with the form (I renewed over here at the BC-Düsseldorf in Germany - I sent the form by snail mail, attendance not required. I guess it will be the same principle all over!)
Fingerprints - are not required either - unless something has changed since then - but I doubt it, I think they want to introduce that Europe wide, don't they?

Anyway, the following information seems still applicable to me:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/203.htm

[Woody1985]

I lost my passport and got a new one in May.

It has the chip in it but I have no idea about the biometic stuff they're on about.

[Landells]

It doesnt include fingerprint etc i think they just put it next to there computers and all shows on there screen

could be wrong

[ArabHibee]

Does anyone else think the cost of a passport is ridiculous?

I can sort of accept the charge for renewing or your first passport to a certain extent as it is a 10 year passport so technically only costing 7.20 GBP per year.

I renewed my passport last year and now want to change back to my maiden name and it's still going to cost me 72 bucks to do so and I don't get a full 10 years for that, I just get what's left of the time.

Similar if you get married and want to change to your married name - same cost. Think its a bit of a con TBH - no way am I paying out again a year after renewing!

Rant over. :grr:

[Little Miss Perfect]

Does anyone else think the cost of a passport is ridiculous?

I can sort of accept the charge for renewing or your first passport to a certain extent as it is a 10 year passport so technically only costing 7.20 GBP per year.

I renewed my passport last year and now want to change back to my maiden name and it's still going to cost me 72 bucks to do so and I don't get a full 10 years for that, I just get what's left of the time.

Similar if you get married and want to change to your married name - same cost. Think its a bit of a con TBH - no way am I paying out again a year after renewing!

Rant over. :grr:


Yes totally agree, I was looking not so long ago about changing to my married name and couldn't believe whay they were charging,****ing disgrace. Surely an admin fee of say £25 would be much more fairer just to change a surname :grr:

[Hibbyradge]

The passport chip contains a digital description of your physical features.

This is known as biometrics.

[hibsboy90]

The passport chip contains a digital description of your physical features.

This is known as biometrics.

So in the passport form do i say, 6ft 1, overweight.....?? How is the biometric data gathered?

[ArabHibee]

The passport chip contains a digital description of your physical features.

This is known as biometrics.

Are you sure about this? The passport I got last year has the chip in it and as I was renewing I didn't have to give any info like height, weight etc. Well, not that I can remember anyway.

[greenlex]

Sleeping Giant's passport has Nine effin chips in it. Nine effin Chips. :agree:

[Hibbyradge]

So in the passport form do i say, 6ft 1, overweight.....?? How is the biometric data gathered?


Are you sure about this? The passport I got last year has the chip in it and as I was renewing I didn't have to give any info like height, weight etc. Well, not that I can remember anyway.

It holds details of your facial features.

See here. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4776562.stm)

[Landells]

biometric? I didnt get my finger scanned or my eyes:confused:

[PeeJay]

biometric? I didnt get my finger scanned or my eyes:confused:

With the old passports your passport photo was one as seen slightly "from the side" (at an angle), but with the new (biometric) passports your photo has to be fully front on, and, e.g. if you are a spectacles wearer, they have to be seated perfectly (i.e. the eyes must not be covered up in any way - it seems "eye scanning" takes place at the ID/customs desk, using your passport photo!). Fingerprints still not part of the passport!

[ArabHibee]

On another note, anyone had their driving licence updated recently?
I sent mine away to get the address changed and the photo on my photocard has changed from colour to black and white. Just wondered if anyone knew the reason for this?