scotia123

I need to renew my son's UK Passport and as I do not know any British Doctors, Lawyers etc here in the USA, I am wondering how others Brits got around this problem. Could I use someone who is a Director of a company for instance who we have known for a couple of years.....any help is appreciated.

Manc

just use someone of professional standing.

don't have to be British.

Paul S

try your friendly bank teller/ bank office manager. That's who I used late last year and had no issues

ian-mstm

You *can* use someone in the US who has the same professional standing... so a US doctor, lawyer, etc... whatever's on the list - as long as they have personally known you for at least "x" years. I used my dentist! Renewed my UK passport with no problem.

Ian

scotia123

Thanks for the information folks. I did mean to ask in my last question where the best place to get passport photos done to the British standard.

AlanR

I thought that a passport renewal did not need a new 'reference' - just the old passport sent in. Is your son under 16? I renewed mine a couple of years ago and can't recall having to do this.
I assume you've been on:
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/passpor...wing-passport/
Apologies if I'm wrong.

AlanR

Also the form is:
http://centralcontent.fco.gov.uk/res...890942/form-c1

scotia123

My son turned 18 in Nov 2008, but his passport has run out and he needs it to go back to the UK for a visit this year. We would have been renewing it anyway. Reading through the Application form it does state that the photos etc need to be endorsed. I was under the impression though that because it is just a renewal of his passport that this was not necessary. I am getting mixed responses regarding this procedure of endorsement and not sure which is true.

AlanR

You'll note on the form that it doesn't even need to be a UK citizen to endorse. If the existing passport is submitted and the (US?) boss signs saying that the photo is a true likeness, I'll doubt if you'll get into any issues.

ian-mstm

My solution - digital camera and photo paper in the inkjet printer! Perfectly acceptable.

Ian

Paul S

yup, I know someone who did that too with no issues.

Otherwise CVS and cut to size (what I did for mine), or Walgreens. The Walgreens system will prompt for the country the passport is to be issued in and adjust the size/proportions to suit.

ian-mstm

Magic!

Ian

scotia123

So I gave my kid the measurements required for the photos for his British Passport and off he went to Walmart, Walgreens and Rite Aid. All of them told him they could not do the photos in that size.....aaargh!! Guess I will have to go to a photographer and get them done. I know some of you have done them on your printer but I doubt mine would print them out with a professional look to them.....would the USA size that these stores do be OK if I cut them to size....anyone done that?

ian-mstm

Still a waste of time, IMO - he'll do what you can do, but charge a lot more for it. Do you have a Kinko's or UPS Store in your area. Print it out there on one of their color laser printers and resize them on the fly. This isn't difficult if you think a bit outside the box.

Ian

Paul S

see post #11