Passport problem :(

[The Eighth Dwarf]

My wee ones passport expired in June, so we filled in all the relevant forms and sent off the £49 , which is a rip off .
So we got a letter saying the photograph didn't meet their requirements because the background wasn't cream or white.
We went back to the chemist who took the photographs and they told us they only use the approved screen as a background.
we got the photos took again and to be honest there is no difference whatsoever in the new ones.
I think the person in the passport office is on a power trip, and just being an absolute jobsworth.
I've 2 alternatives, pay again for new photos at a photo booth which may or may not meet the standard or phone this person and argue the toss with them.
Now I can't see arguing with this person making any difference but what i was wondering is there any sense in me phoning and asking for a manager, after all like it or not these people actually work for us.

 

[2Tiggies]

I suppose you could phone, but I suspect you are going to be given the run around before they actually put 'a member of the public' through to a supervisor/manager. I would be more inclined to argue with the place that took the photos. I dont see any point having them taken again. Is their screen white or cream as it should be? If the photos looked otherwise, then I would ask for a refund.

I have had some success protesting the photo requirements when my 2 week old DD had hers taken and they also wanted the eyes open and a white background. Oh, and her mouth had to be closed and they didn't want to see my hand in the photo. Eventually we got a set of shots with her eyes open and I had thrown a white baby blanet over the baby seat she was in. When I got to the passport office the lady looked at the photos and did one of those "Oooooh, hmmmm ......." things which annoyed me as she was making noises indicating they weren't good enough without saying the words. It cost me almost the whole day between the photo place and the passport office but they did eventually accept them.

I would be inclined to just have the photos taken again and ask for a refund from the chemist since it appears that their picture screen does not conform to the requirement but you have seen the photos so you would be best to assess whether this is likely to be the case. I do feel your frustration.

 

[disney_princess_85]

If the background of the photos isn't cream or white, then you will have to take new ones. That's the rule so there is no point arguing with the passport office. The chemist should be able to give you a refund.

 

[Laurafoster]

If the background does not meet the requirements then there is not point in arguing. The rules are clear and they will not budge. I know lots of people who have been caught out on their smaller rules such as a small reflection on the glasses - if the photo doesnt meet the requirements they wont accept it.

2tiggies - im surprised you had so many problems. Babies under the age of 1 year do not need to have a neutral expression or have their eyes open for their photograph. http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/files/ips/live/assets/documents/photos.pdf
Plenty of my friends have awful pictures of their babies - eyes closed, mouths open, almost crying etc for their passport photos and never had any problems. Maybe you just got a fussy person

 

[diddldonna]

Isn't there a photo shop you could go to? here on the high street we can get the photos done with a photographer and if there is any problems they will redo them as many times as possible free. Also i then go to the post office and ask them to check for me before i send off the application.

 

[2Tiggies]

2tiggies - im surprised you had so many problems. Babies under the age of 1 year do not need to have a neutral expression or have their eyes open for their photograph. http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/files/ips/live/assets/documents/photos.pdf
Plenty of my friends have awful pictures of their babies - eyes closed, mouths open, almost crying etc for their passport photos and never had any problems. Maybe you just got a fussy person

I know (and knew at the time) it was just a fussy person, but I also knew to be really nice while standing my ground. She did eventually go to a supervisor and get it approved, but I was under the impression that it was something that she was to do as a last resort. She was just doing her job, but I was really tired and DD was born 5 weeks early so I was constantly having to leave the desk to go and feed her.

It does sound to me like it may be the place that did the photos who have not met the requirements, but as I mentioned, the OP would be able to judge, having personally seen the photos.

 

[crabbie1]

DB used a photo booth in asda-white background had his back no problem. Some of their rules seem ridiculous to me but rules are rules hope you get it sorted and you have plenty of time to do it.Sorry didnt notice your ticker

 

[T16GEM]

So we got a letter saying the photograph didn't meet their requirements because the background wasn't cream or white.
We went back to the chemist who took the photographs and they told us they only use the approved screen as a background.

What colour is the background that the pictures are on then?

 

[wilma-bride]

We had the same thing only we'd had DD's pictures done in the photo booth. It wasn't that the background was wrong but they said it was too bright. Not sure what I could have done about that TBH.

Anyway, we ended up going to Timpsons and they took them - they have a guarantee that if the pictures aren't accepted, they will do them again for free.

They were much better pictures - you could see a significant difference in the quality and we got her passport just a week later

 

[The Eighth Dwarf]

What colour is the background that the pictures are on then?

Its like a custard cream as opposed to just cream.
Not full blown yellow, more off white with a yellowish tinge.
My biggest problem is where we got it done is an approved outlet for passport photos and they used the background screen they were supplied with, it is a big chain of chemists here in NI and I can't believe for one second we are the only people who have went there for passport photos.
But discretion being the better part of valour , we're all off today to get them new photos from a different place only first after an inspection of their background screen of course.

Oh and 2tiggies, that is an absolute disgrace what they put you through, you are a model of restraint to have resolved the way you did.

 

[2Tiggies]

Its like a custard cream as opposed to just cream.
Not full blown yellow, more off white with a yellowish tinge.
My biggest problem is where we got it done is an approved outlet for passport photos and they used the background screen they were supplied with, it is a big chain of chemists here in NI and I can't believe for one second we are the only people who have went there for passport photos.
But discretion being the better part of valour , we're all off today to get them new photos from a different place only first after an inspection of their background screen of course.

If it is the screen they are supplied with, I wonder if it was the actual quality or exposure of the photos. I think you have done the right thing though - at the end of the day I would rather argue with the high street chemist than the passport office. Take the dud pictures with you so that you can compare them side by side when the others are processed and printed.

Oh and 2tiggies, that is an absolute disgrace what they put you through, you are a model of restraint to have resolved the way you did.

I think I was still in shock about suddenly being a parent, lol!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

worst problem we ever had was with DS last time he needed a new passport - photos were returned three times as his specs were in the wrong place - think that they need to change the rules to have all glasses removed to be honest as with the current trends for small frames they do cover part of the eye area. (Either that or bring back the gross over-sized 80's ones lol)

 

[2Tiggies]

No, removing them would be better

 

[princess jackson]

I had DS done, I went to jessops who offer if it's not accepted they re take free of charge, however when i went they told me that the background colour had changed and they did not have the correct bean bag! (used for his background with him being a baby).

I was advised to visit another local shop that had the correct bean bag!
They offered the same free re take if not accepted.

My only problem was the countersign (he went outside the box) lol.

A week later it landed on the doorstep, his first of many passports

 

[2Tiggies]

I have to give them credit. When I had to do DD's a couple of years ago I did the check and send at our Post Office (they were about to close when I went in) on the Thursday. Monday morning the Special Delivery arrived!

 

[disneydaft]

I have to give them credit. When I had to do DD's a couple of years ago I did the check and send at our Post Office (they were about to close when I went in) on the Thursday. Monday morning the Special Delivery arrived!

I thought our return time was good lol. I did the check and send last Tue and got the wee man and the OH's passport back today.
All our ESTA's were done within about 20 minutes of them being delivered.

I don't know why but I can't help thinking how cute it is that the wee fella (7 months old) has his own passport.

 

[davidmolliesmum]

passport pics =
i went to our local photo shop last week to have my passport pic re-done and he said i "couldn't have a fringe in a passport pic!"
i thought he was trying to be funny, but nop... he stood there while i tried mad to sweep my fring off my face that i'd just spent the previous half hour straightening
then for him to turn around and say " i'm sorry you'll have to remove your earrings too!!"


p.s not received my passport yet....

 

[disneydaft]

passport pics =
i went to our local photo shop last week to have my passport pic re-done and he said i "couldn't have a fringe in a passport pic!"
i thought he was trying to be funny, but nop... he stood there while i tried mad to sweep my fring off my face that i'd just spent the previous half hour straightening
then for him to turn around and say " i'm sorry you'll have to remove your earrings too!!"


p.s not received my passport yet....

It must have changed then because my OH had the biggest fringe you have ever seen on her old passport picture.

I've just noticed your countdown and location. Are you flying with Thomas Cook on the 14th?

 

[davidmolliesmum]

I've just noticed your countdown and location. Are you flying with Thomas Cook on the 14th?

sure am!

 

[disneydaft]

sure am!

Cool, we are on the same flight.

If you see a wee 8 month old boy with blond hair and big blue eyes say hello to Alex.