Renewing a UK Passport from France (resident)

General Discussion
1

Hello, I could not find a specific catagory for this, sorry.
I want to renew my UK passport . I am a resident in France. Looking online it is possible to do this but digital photos with a code are required. I have a sheet of 8 photos taken last week but they are not accepted for online passport application. I went to a Phototron today but UK passport digital was not an option only Permis de conduire, carte de sejour etc or the sheet of 8 . Any tips or advice ? Thank you in advance , Ian

2

I had the same issue, so took my own photo (complying with all the usual rules about plain backgrounds, no shadows etc) and uploaded it. After two or three rejected efforts, the system finally accepted it.

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3

That’s cheerful, mine is due in December, how long in advance is necessary?
And, is it obligatory, and by whom?

4

Like @George1 I just used the app. Took me a couple of goes too, but eventually it liked my photo… Saved me time and a few Euros!

Overall the process was incredibly quick and efficient. I posted how long it took me to receive mine back when I did it… It was something crazy like 14 days from start to finish (including a bank holiday iirc).

Highly recommend using the app if you’ve got a compatible smartphone.

Edit: crikey, apparently it was 2023 when I renewed mine… Where did the time go? Passport renewal in 5 days - #3 by Gareth

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5

Also just took photo on my tablet - or rather my partner did. Took a few goes, but on e ok’d all was well and new passport arrived quickly.

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6

Another one here - used my mobile phone with the app - took a few goes to get the photo suitably clear / miserable looking to be accepted. Thereafter the whole process was very efficient.

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7

I renewed my UK passport a couple of months back; the French photobooth photos were rejected because there was a slight shadow behind one side of my head. However there are precise instructions on the website about the photo requirements if using a phone or camera. Got my wife to take photos against a white background , but with me standing about a metre in front of it to avoid casting a shadow. This photo was accepted and my new passport arrived twelve days after I began the application.

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8

Thanks for your reply. I’ll have to wait for someone to call and haul out a white sheet😁

9

Thank you. I’ll have to go down that route then .

10

Thanks for your reply. Just bought a new phone so I will have to try that. They charge more for the paper version too

11

Everyone is saying more or less the same thing, taking their own photos. Thank you for your reply

12

Thank you Jane. Everyone is saying they went down the DIY Route!

13

Thanks George. All replied are saying to go the DIY Route.

14

Took the photo with my phone, the thing is stand +/- 5’ away & dont crop the photo.

15

During my passport application a year ago I ended up speaking to someone on the phone. I took the opportunity to mention that French photo booth codes weren’t acceptable. The person confirmed that only codes from U.K. photo booths could be used. I asked why they still suggested using the codes on an application form for applying to renew a passport from abroad but didn’t get an answer.

16

Hello David, that is the answer I wanted. It’s a bit pathetic isn’t it. Ah well, mobile phone camera it is then.

17

Thanks Wozza, that’s the general consensus.

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18

Just renewed ours,there are only 2 options for your photo.Get photos done in a booth in UK which are guaranteed to be accepted,cost £10,or take a photo on your phone and upload it,good luck.

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19

Thanks Euro 50, UK option is a no go, looks like home made photos.

20

Worked for me like a dream a couple of years ago. Nee passport arrived before I knew it. Great service.