Check and send - is it really quicker than standard passport application?

Alleycat

We're being a little last minute with applying for first passports for our kids. We've five and a half weeks until we travel and finally got our bums into gear to get them sorted out - I know, I know should have done it when we booked!

Anyway, I'm wondering whether or not to do the check and send. Direct.gov states that check and send is quicker but is this really true? Anyone any idea/stories to tell?

Thanks, Alley

HXDave

its only quicker because - in reality - there is a person to check that all is filled correctly before you send it.

so basically, if the application is filled in correctly then check & send is no quicker. However if there is a fault on the application, then (theoretically), check & send is much quicker.

Regards

HXDave

balletshoes

my personal opinion is, if you're running short on time to get the passports back, use check and send. I did for my last application (my daughters) the Post Office were brilliant, in fact they checked her photo was acceptable before I gave them the rest of the application to check. I wouldn't have been charged the check and send fee for them checking the photo, if thats your only concern with the application.

Alleycat

It's the photo bit and the fact that they say that it is a week quicker (without problems) that is my concern. It's for a 15 month old and a six year old so I want to make sure the photos meet their criteria as I've heard that they're really strict these days. No more popping down to the photo booth in the local shopping centre if you want it to definitely be accepted!

ellay864

When I did passports for DS1 and DS2 I used standard and got them back within 2 weeks. In fact technically DS1 photo wasn't 100% within the guidelines and I was told if I'd gone through check and send it may have been thrown back though it was accepted by the issuing office!

balletshoes

I did my daughter's at the photo booth in the shopping centre - just made sure her face was in the right position, and her hair was completely off her face.

Might be a bit more difficult with the 15-month old - my daughter's first passport photo was when she was 6 weeks old, had to go to a photographer to get that done, and had to wait until she was awake (their eyes have to be open in the photos).

photome

Done my sons a few weeks ago,

Sent it off myself on a thursday got the passport bak the following friday

Bob_the_Saver

Didn't use check and send,

Posted (renewal) on Thursday, got back on Monday.

What the h*ll took them so long.

callow

Jessops are very good for passport photos. The staff take the photo, check it and will retake it till it is right.

Especially good for babies and young children as you can hold them and they take it so you are not in the photo.

cherydee

I sent off for my baby grandsons first passport through check and send on 24th May...supporting documents arrived back on 7th June and then passport arrived 9th June...so 16 days for us which I thought was a long time for a priority service.

Unsure if it was only my post office but the clerk told me they get sent off when they have 10 applications ...and luckily for us grandsons was number 10 so they were sent off that day.

Alleycat

photome wrote: »

Done my sons a few weeks ago,

Sent it off myself on a thursday got the passport bak the following friday

Wow that's quick! Did you do check and send?