Passport photo warning

torbrex

I got a call today from the passport office to say there had been a problem with the photos I sent in, it seems that using a paperclip to keep everything together has marked the photos in such a way that shows up when they scan them. Both the ones I sent showed up the lines from the paperclip and I have had to send in new ones.
Not a problem as I am not in any hurry but just beware for those that are, no paperclips allowed.

melb

Thanks for the warning. I've always wondered why it said please do not use paperclips (please don't think I'm being 'clever' saying this). I thought it just saved them the bother of taking them off.

robnye

cant you upload the pictures online?

i vaguely remember reading something about this recently .......

or am i daydreaming again... lol

omelette451

robnye wrote: »

cant you upload the pictures online?

i vaguely remember reading something about this recently .......

You can if you use the 'apply online' facility instead of the traditional all-paper application method. If you do it online it gets sent electronically to the Newport (Wales) passport office, where they print out the main part of the form to return to you for a signature and confirmation it's all correct. This adds up to a week to the whole process, but it has the potential benefit of making all the electronic authorisations happen automatically in real-time (e.g. cross-referencing of other databases), gives you an assurance you've done it properly (it's not accepted if you haven't) and means you don't have to faff around with photo booths.

fifeken

omelette451 wrote: »

You can if you use the 'apply online' facility instead of the traditional all-paper application method.

...and means you don't have to faff around with photo booths.

Are you sure? I renewed mine a few months ago and never came across this option. It still says you can't if you look here:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/apply-online.asp

dealsearcher

melb wrote: »

Thanks for the warning. I've always wondered why it said please do not use paperclips (please don't think I'm being 'clever' saying this). I thought it just saved them the bother of taking them off.

I have always thought it said not to use paperclips because they didn't want you to use them. :rolleyes:

However it is a useful thread as it is an instructon which can easily be missed.

omelette451

fifeken wrote: »

Are you sure? I renewed mine a few months ago and never came across this option.

Yes, you're right. I seem to remember they had a trial of it once, and certainly they do now accept printed copies of digital photos, so obviously I was getting confused with one of these things. Sorry, and thanks for pointing out my mistake!

nesssie1702

Thanks for this - I've applied online and now just have to get the photos taken (remove glasses, make sure my hair doesn't flop in my face, look straight at the camera, don't smile.....)