Thanks just been on the passport office's web chat and they confirmed this too.

I have already started the online process (and paid) and I'm getting the witness to sign my verification form today. On the online form it says that you need to send your original passport unfortunately.

Just to update:
Application submitted online: 12 May 2019
Email acknowledging receipt of documentation Balbriggan: 21 May 2019
Confirmation of address email: 31 August 2020
Congrats email: 1 September 2020
FBR certificate received: 5 September 2020

That's a bit of a concern, I'm unlikely to travel abroad in the next few weeks but you never know. Will see if I can contact them.

Hi, I recently received my certificate from the FBR and I am applying for my passport. It says that I have to send my original passport from my country of birth (UK) with the Identity Verification Form. Am I likely to be waiting a very long time before my British passport is returned to me in the cu...

Hi Just received the congratulations email (application made in May last year) and I'm waiting for my certificate. I was just wondering if I will have to resend documents/photos for the passport application or if they keep a record of these? I'm in the UK. Application submitted online: 12 May 2019 E...