Online passport renewal - photos - easy?

howryoo

I need to do this soon for someone and would like to check whether the online renewal process is relatively easy and hassle-free?

If we went with the option of photo from own device, I assume we'll need to go through the application process on a mobile / tablet as we'll have to take the photo 'live' during that process?  Or could the application be done on a desktop browser with the photo uploaded separately?

I assume the former to prevent tampering?

If so, does the system immediately flag up any issues there and then?  Or is the photo verified separately (perhaps against the photo they already have on their systems)? 

If the photo is validated during the application, I assume once completed, all that's left to do is to mail the old passport back and await new passport (with old to follow)?

 

BooJewels

I tried doing my own photo and using the web site to upload it - it is very early in the application process - and every single one was rejected.  I tried decent camera photos, phone photos and all met their criteria.  You don't need to do it live during the application, just have it saved ready to upload when prompted.  It's checked at that time.  Most of mine were rejected because 'I had my eyes closed', which I didn't.

After a dozen failed attempts I got one done at the photo desk in a supermarket and they get it verified there and then and give you a code to enter during the application - your photo just appears after you enter the code, as they have already uploaded it.  It's a horrendous photo of me as it was heavily backlit, so my hair has almost vanished, but it got it done and I was in a hurry.

So don't be surprised if your own photo isn't accepted.  The girl that did mine said a significant amount of the ones she took were after people like me hadn't been able to get their own photo accepted.  

As you say, once your application has been accepted, you get a long code which forms part of the address you send your documents to.  I don't know how long they're taking now, but when I applied it said 5 weeks and it actually took 14 weeks.

roddydogs

Whats a photo desk?

Abbafan1972

roddydogs said:

Whats a photo desk?

A photo counter? The same as you have a pharmacy counter. 

I renewed my daughter’s passport online recently, done the photo myself on my phone against a plain wall and it was fine, application accepted and new passport arrived in a couple of weeks. 

I took the photo and emailed it to myself, and then downloaded the photo to my laptop, as that’s where I was doing the application. The website automatically crops it for you. 

eDicky

Yes, the online renewal process is straightforward and easy to complete using a computer or smartphone.

There are various ways to submit your photo, which has to fulfill the biometric requirements, so these need to be exact if you upload one or take the photo with the device used for the application. It is possible, so worth a try if there's not a time constraint. A photo taken with the device is assessed by the system and can still be submitted if not perfect, but can later be pronounced unacceptable and a better quality one necessary, being easy enough to resubmit.

400ixl

As many of the photo's taken by these photo services fail the check as do user taken ones in the same conditions, don't waste money paying someone else for something you can do yourself. Many of the "services" where they upload the application for you take the proceed anyway option when the photo is fine but fails the check for some reason. As an individual you can do exactly the same.

If you don't have a plain light wall to take the photo against then a light sheet over a door will do just as well.

BooJewels

roddydogs said:

Whats a photo desk?

Is it not obvious what I meant - ok, counter if you prefer.  I was just trying to distinguish it from the automatic photo booths they also have.  It was the Max Spielman outlet inside an Asda store.  It cost about 9 pounds.  In my case, I wish I'd done that in the first instance and saved myself a lot of time and faffing.

I think the problem I had getting a result that they considered satisfactory was that I was doing it on my own, so I tried a variety of selfie sticks, tripods, remote control, phone apps and self timers, where it would be significantly easier if one person was taking the photo of another.

eDicky

BooJewels said:

roddydogs said:

Whats a photo desk?

I think the problem I had getting a result that they considered satisfactory was that I was doing it on my own, so I tried a variety of selfie sticks, tripods, remote control, phone apps and self timers, where it would be significantly easier if one person was taking the photo of another.

Unless your phone has the facility of reversing the mirror image that a selfie usually produces, it will probably be rejected for that reason. If you don't have someone else to take the photo, a remote control / timer using the main phone camera would have more chance of approval.

BooJewels

@eDicky - my phone allows you to flip the image to the right way round as you take it and I tried doing that and not doing it and flipping it later in software, but the reasons given for rejection were always either my eyes were closed or there was something the background - neither of which was the case.  I did mention that I tried a remote control - both with my phone camera and my micro four thirds camera.

But it's moot now, as I've got it done and got my passport. 

eDicky

BooJewels said:

@eDicky - my phone allows you to flip the image to the right way round as you take it and I tried doing that and not doing it and flipping it later in software, but the reasons given for rejection were always either my eyes were closed or there was something the background - neither of which was the case.  I did mention that I tried a remote control - both with my phone camera and my micro four thirds camera.

But it's moot now, as I've got it done and got my passport. 

Ok great. I did understand your description of your efforts, thought I'd mention the mirror image scenario as general info. As you say, their photo approval system is far from perfect so far, but do-it-yourself still worth a try, for moneysaving, unless there's time constraint.

BooJewels

I think it would be significantly easier not to be trying to take your own photo - I'm sure someone helping would be a real bonus.  Even using remotes and the phone app to control the camera, you have to try and see it and set it up, but not be looking at the app or whatever when you take the photo - so it takes a lot of trial and error on your own.

It was me trying to save money - not just the price of the photos, but the 25 quid taxi fare to the supermarket - until someone was able to take me.