Anyone who has used the online UK passport application.....

After entering all the details online and paying a PDF file is generated which comprises instructions, document checklist, declaration form and photo specs. For a family of 5 there are 17 pages in total. I assume that only the 5 declaration pages need to be returned to HM Passport Office and the other 12 pages are not required to be sent?

On the adult declaration page there is a signature box and date line for the applicant to sign and date. Further down the declaration page there is a row for "relationship of applicant to intended passport holder" and then "name of applicant applying on their behalf" - I assume this is usually left blank?

I just did mine yesterday. When I've done stuff for CIC, it said to include the checklist. It doesn't say that on the UK stuff, it just seems to be for the applicant's benefit.

But I notice that on the sheet you sign it says "return this page" so it seems the declaration page only.

I think that's just where someone signs for someone else for age or learning disability reasons. Certain ages can sign themselves.

I got myself all tarted up for the photos - buzzcut, shave, nice shirt and then discovered the photo lab in Shoppers was closed today.

Just noticed this on the form.

I just sent an application in for our 19 year old daughter (born in Canada. Parents = me UK born and wife Canadian born). Daughter is intending to study from September 2016-May 2017 in Nice, France.

I sent the application on Monday morning and got a response today. They say that the birth certificate I sent is not acceptable (it is the certificate issued by the City saying daughters date and place of birth) and both parents names.

and

that the marriage certficate is not acceptable as it has not been stamped and dated by the Office of Vital Statistics...well, duh, I didn't get married in the UK so why would the Office of Vital Statistics be involved.

HM Passport Office is not a very use friendly place.

That's interesting, we are just about to apply for my daughters and we got married in the Bahamas - wonder if we will have the same problem?
In saying that we had no problem changing my name to married name on my passport despite the marriage certificate not being a UK one.
Can you please update if you get any further feedback from them about it?

Just spoke with them...jobsworths is a good description. Make sure you have certified copies of documents and long forms (if they exist) of documents.

I have ordered certified copies of our daughters birth certificate and our marriage certificate via Service Ontario...$57 later

That sucks.
Thanks, no idea what other format the marriage cert would be in but will try and do a little research about it before we submit anything.

The one saving grace was that I mailed the documents from Ottawa on Monday morning (january 4) and I got a reply etc today from the good folks in Durham today and they had everything.

The first person I spoke with had to repeat herself a few times with me due to her heavy scottish accent. You may blame the quality of the overseas call.

Well the package was posted a couple of days ago. Nearly $40 with tracking and it could take up to two weeks! UK passports always seem to cause problems here - 5 years ago it was Blacks this time Sears. I suspect it just depends on who happens to be working at these places at the time.

As per my messages above, I mailed my package on Monday morning here in Ottawa and today got email replies from Durham indicating they had my package. $27 at my end registered mail/tracking etc. I need to send them certified copies of our daughters birth certificate (born in Ontario) and our wedding certificate (married in Ontario). The versions I sent them are not certified. I'd never heard of certified copies of those documents before but they exist for a larger cost (15 working days turnaround or you get your money back here in Kathleen Wynne Ontario).

Good luck

Sorry to hijack this but I need to apply for a new passport soon, anyone know a place in the Vancouver area that has grey/cream backgrounds for photos?

I've been to a few places but they only have white.

I'm curious: I've never had any problems renewing/getting British passports from Canada. Is it photo requirements or documents that are causing problems/delays?

So I may (probably) be getting confused here, but I thought you had to send the originals of the birth certificate anyway?
How is getting a certified copy any more useful than the original document?

I've always got all my photos done at Digital World at Broadway and Hemlock: Digital World - Photographers - Fairview Slopes - Vancouver, BC - Reviews - Photos - Yelp

Including UK and Canadian passports, as well as for other official purposes and tests etc. Super, super fast and never any problems. Just take the instructions with you and he will ensure you get the photos you need. He lets you view the photo on a screen and you can keep retaking until you get one you're happy with.

Exactly what I said to the jobsworths in Durham. I told the people there that I had never heard of a certified copy of such a document. I sent the original of my 1964 birth certificate (they told me that there are now 'short form' versions of those documents...) but the Ontario 1996 birth certificate of my daughter is something I had never heard of in a certified version. The version we have is a credit card sized piece of paper (which I sent) and also an 8 1/2 x 11 version of a certificate issued by the City here which lists the babies name, place and date of birth, and the full names of the parents.

Here in Ontario, Service Ontario issues 'certified copies' of birth certificates and marriage certificates for a fee. For both of those it was $57 delivered within 15 business days or no charge. From there I post them back to Durham.