Passport Photo RulesGetting a photograph of your baby for a passport can be a daunting event, so knowing the rules before you start will help you capture the perfect picture. <<continued from page 1
Photo rules Photos must be:
You should:
The rules do apply to children too but the authorities are prepared
to be a little more flexible with very young ones!
Tips:
The IPS advises parents to do the best they can to meet the requirements, stating that as long as the photo is good quality it should be acceptable. Certifying or validating the photos: A person who knows you well but is not a relation will need to validate your - or your child's - passport application, as well as one (not both) of the photographs, by writing the following on the back of it: 'I certify that this is a true likeness of [Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or other title followed by your full name].' They must then sign and date the statement as well. It is not enough just to sign and date the photograph. Best choose someone with small, neat handwriting! babyworld top tip: Many chemists and photographic portrait shops offer a passport photo service and will take the photo for you on a digital camera so they can check that it meets the requirements before giving your four prints to use. This can relieve a lot of the stress that posing in photo booths or using your own digital camera can cause. You could also consider using a company called Paspic.com which offers a service that enables you to take a digital photograph, upload it to their website and order a set of 4 passport photographs. The Paspic digital process will automatically assess the photograph against the strict Passport Agency criteria and centre the head shot into the middle of the frame. Even if you submit a photo that isn't suitable you will receive an email letting you know and giving you the opportunity to submit an alternative. How much it costs Where to get one The post office: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) recommends
you apply through your nearest post office but be warned: even though
you might be able to pick up a form at smaller post offices, often they
can only be processed by main post offices. The Post Office offers a special
'Check and Send' service, which costs £7 and includes checking and validating
your form, sending it to the correct passport office, and providing you
with a phone number so you can see how your application is progressing.
The turnaround tends to be fast too - usually up to two weeks, although
it can take longer during peak periods. Online: Perhaps the easiest way is to visit the IPS's website. You can fill in your information online and the IPS will print the application out and send it back to you to sign and date, normally within 24 hours although it will take longer during peak periods. The whole process can take up to three weeks or longer if you leave it till peak times. In person: You could call in to an IPS office in person... but beware of possible long queues! It is possible to use one of the IPS's schemes: either a one-day service (premium) or a guaranteed one-week service (fast track) but you need to book an appointment in advance by calling their Adviceline on 0870 521 0410. The one-day (premium) service is not available for customers applying for the first time or for those applying to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport. When do you need your passport? You will need your passport whenever you travel abroad, basically. While much of the European continent has ID cards, we still need to present our passports when travelling by air, sea, train or car, anywhere outside the UK. Additional requirements such as Visas may be asked for, depending on the policies of the country to which you are travelling. If you have a passport that will expire in the next 12 months it is essential to check with the passport requirements of whatever countries you are visiting - some will refuse entry to people whose passports will soon expire. You may need to obtain a renewal before setting off. Passport checklist
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