First time passport interviews

riddlermarc · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:26

Okay, I haven't been abroad since I was 20 and at that time you could get a one year temporary one.. my parents weren't that well off and we couldn't afford a foreign holiday till I went with my then g/f back in '92.

I am just filling in the passport form for a "proper" one (haven't gotten round to going abroad since '92) and it seems you have to have an interview - is this mandatory or random? This would mean travelling to London (£20) for a 30 minute interview so I hope I don't get short listed :/

Looking to get this sorted asap as the (as of last Saturday) wife and I are heading off on honeymoon to somewhere extremely hot and dusty in the school half-term (Oct 22nd onwards) so I hope it wil go through before then?

/awaits flames of "can't believe you haven't been abroad/travelled etc.." I have led a VERY good and happy life here these past years and up until now haven't had the inclination or time to holiday abroad..

Anewbe4u · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:29

can't believe you haven't been abroad/travelled etc.

DAVEM · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:30

Who signed your passport application?

riddlermarc · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:35

anewbe4u said:
can't believe you haven't been abroad/travelled etc.

Goon.

DAVEM said:
Who signed your passport application?

No one yet, stil filling it in but I will get my boss to sign it (registered IT bod, I checked the IPA website)

DAVEM · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:36

Well get it signed by a civil servant, Teacher or PC, should help IMO

tom_e · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:59

as far as im aware the only time you need to go for an interview or anything is if your using the same day premium type service where you visit the passport office

ste_bla · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:12

blitz2163 said:
as far as im aware the only time you need to go for an interview or anything is if your using the same day premium type service where you visit the passport office

They are starting a new thing where you might have to have an interview for your first adult(?) passport

http://www.passport.gov.uk/passport_first_interviews.asp

Anewbe4u · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:15

riddlermarc said:
Goon.
No one yet, stil filling it in but I will get my boss to sign it (registered IT bod, I checked the IPA website)

I'm no goon!

Azagoth · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:16

Who pays for the travel costs, and do you get reimbursed if you have to take time off work?

Luke · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:20

Azagoth said:
Who pays for the travel costs, and do you get reimbursed if you have to take time off work?

Why would you be reimbursed? It's not like they are forcing you to buy a passport?

J.B · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:40

DAVEM said:
Well get it signed by a civil servant, Teacher or PC, should help IMO

Would that really help?

Gog · 12 Sep 2007 at 19:17

I wouldn't have thought you would be called for an interview as AFAIK, the London office isn't yet open for interviews and they have to keep to a one-hour travel time. I'm sure there are a couple of people here who work for IPS who may know for definite though.

riddlermarc · 13 Sep 2007 at 10:41

Not really a *bump*, just a raise to see if anyone else knows about this - looking to settle my mind on this really

Peño · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:05

ste_bla said:
They are starting a new thing where you might have to have an interview for your first adult(?) passport

http://www.passport.gov.uk/passport_first_interviews.asp

They are required by all customers, aged 16 or over, who are applying for a passport for the first time.

Bill101 · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:07

from ste bla's link
Reminder: From 1 June 2007, first-time adult passport customers will no longer be able to use the fast track one-week service as they may need to have an interview as part of the passport application process.
And more worrying.......
First-time adult passport customers should allow more time when applying
This change to the application process means first-time adult customers should plan on allowing more time than in the past to receive their passport as they will need to attend an interview. We recommend customers submit their applications six weeks before they need their passport to travel.

riddlermarc · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:27

Yep I saw all that on the website, that isn't really my question.. I was more interested to find out if in real life anyone has had to go for an interview? I know technically you are now obliged to do so but London is closest to me and apparently it isn't open for interviews yet (so I should be alright).

kefkef · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:42

A mate applied for one in June this year, and never got called for an interview. He thinks his last passport ran out about 4yrs ago and didn't have it to send off when requesting his new one. All went through fine.

[Damien] · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:46

I applied for a new passport for a last min weekend away a few weeks back. It got back to me in about 8 days. I got mine countersigned by a mate (a civil servant) and used the Post Office's Check and Send service.

Peño · 13 Sep 2007 at 11:49

kefkef said:
A mate applied for one in June this year, and never got called for an interview. He thinks his last passport ran out about 4yrs ago and didn't have it to send off when requesting his new one. All went through fine.

[Damien];10083552 said:
I applied for a new passport for a last min weekend away a few weeks back. It got back to me in about 8 days. I got mine countersigned by a mate (a civil servant) and used the Post Office's Check and Send service.

They're not first adult passports then.