Passport renewal

[hughnique]

I feel sure this subject was covered a few weeks ago but unable to find it, anyway I need to apply, hopefully on line, for a renewal of our passports, the photos of which are supplied via a booth or by a digital smartphone. The booth seems the easiest way to proceed for us, and I am presuming it issues some sort of code with the photo for the convenience of the passport office? With that in mind I phoned them yesterday, to ascertain that a French photo booth was acceptable, after half an hour they couldn't tell me, and suggested I ask in the shop where the booth is situated. As if the cashier in SuperU is going to be more knowledgeable about passport photos than the passport office, so has anyone renewed lately?

[Wilbro]

Our booth photos were turned down so we took them on our phones. Both fine.

[Trelawney]

I can’t answer your question but it occurred to me that it is not clear whether you are renewing a UK passport or a French one. I will ask around anyway.

[Trelawney]

The AI advice seems to say that the French versions will, probably be incompatible with a UK application.
I agree about using a phone camera and following the instructions issued by the Passport Office.

[Veem]

OH spent time and money in a French booth boasting signs on the outside that they complied with the demands for official documents. All were refused by the Passport Office. He went to a local, registered, and approved French photographer who was happy to take photos to satisfy the needs of the UK Passport Office. When renewing his French driving licence, a friend took a perfectly fine photo on his phone

[hughnique]

Renewing a UK passport from a French principle and only residence, I can envisage problems by using a French photo booth but then is the code for my use to download said photos to somewhere I can then upload them on to my application, I find it absolutely amazing that officials at the passport office help desk could not furnish me with an answer. However as said above if this code is there just for me to retrieve the photos then I can't see a problem a photo is a photo. Wilbro did they give you a reason for the refusal, there are so many requirements about background, glasses, and the one that OH won't have a problem with, no smiling.

[Lori]

I can envisage problems by using a French photo booth but then is the code for my use to download said photos to somewhere I can then upload them on to my application

I saw no option for that when I used the French photo booth for my French driving license a year or so ago. You do, of course get your photos and the numeric assigned to them, but they go directly to the government office you selected. I didn't see anything that suggested there was a way/place for me to access the photos online or otherwise.

[hughnique]

Lori it all goes way above my aged level of technology knowledge, what the hell this code is for who knows but as said it may be for whoever you are applying to for access to the mug shots. I don't want the situation as described herein that after spending time and money with photo booths, and the one in our local supermarket doesn't even give you the cost, that it becomes unacceptable. Our home help comes later on in the week she is pretty au fait with the smartphone. If that is successful then do you have to send off what? I take it they want the old passports back, and it's something ludicrous for the courier service for the new ones plus they have to come in separate envelopes, they must be making a fortune out of this.

[exile]

The code is for the French authorities to directly access the photos - so no chance to photoshop or otherwise amend the picture. So no to answer the question, it will be as much use as a chocolate teapot to the UK passport authorities.

[exile]

If you use a booth, then opt for printed photos and scan them at home for the UK.