Has anyone successfully submitted a copy of their passport instead of the orginal?

[timeavailable]

I'll soon be applying for my first UK passport after gaining citizenship, but I don't want to send my EU passport because several of my family members are terminally ill, and I need to be able to travel in case of emergencies.

Has anyone successfully submitted an application using a colour photocopy of their passport?

[contorted_svy]

for a first adult passport you have to send originals. no way around it.

[meself2]

If OP still can show their settled status, they can travel on their EU national ID in Europe I suppose?

[timeavailable]

for a first adult passport you have to send originals. no way around it.

I asked HMPO, and they told me I could try sending a photocopy along with a covering letter explaining my reasons, but they couldn't guarantee that it would be accepted.

[timeavailable]

If OP still can show their settled status, they can travel on their EU national ID in Europe I suppose?

I recently gained citizenship, so my settled status is no longer valid.

[Anonbha]

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

[timeavailable]

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

Indeed, that's why I don't want to be without my passport. Did you inquire with HMPO about sending a photocopy? I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

[secret.simon]

I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

how did you contact them?

Be aware that most public-facing contact centres for the Home Office are outsourced to third parties and not actual Home Office employees. They would likely give answers that would give a lot of leeway for mis- and reinterpretation.

You may want tor route your question to HMPO via your MP.

[timeavailable]

I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

how did you contact them?

Be aware that most public-facing contact centres for the Home Office are outsourced to third parties and not actual Home Office employees. They would likely give answers that would give a lot of leeway for mis- and reinterpretation.

You may want tor route your question to HMPO via your MP.

I asked them via email.

[secret.simon]

I asked them via email.

Can you share the email address you used?

[timeavailable]

I asked them via email.

Can you share the email address you used?

Actually, I contacted them through their online enquiry form, and they responded to me via email.

[Anonbha]

Settled status valid or not, don't you need a passport now anyway to go through the border and return back to the UK?

I enquired and original passport is a must. There is no alternative while applying for first passport within the UK. There is also no premium service available for first passport (also enquired).

Indeed, that's why I don't want to be without my passport. Did you inquire with HMPO about sending a photocopy? I’m curious why they would advise me to try it if it's not accepted.

No idea why they advised you otherwise.
I just called them. Call them as soon as the lines open, otherwise might take forever.

[contorted_svy]

Notoriously these advise lines are not run by UKVI, often the people handling the calls aren't experts and give incorrect advice. Ask to speak to a senior caseworker if you choose to call.

[timeavailable]

Notoriously these advise lines are not run by UKVI, often the people handling the calls aren't experts and give incorrect advice. Ask to speak to a senior caseworker if you choose to call.

Thanks for letting me know. Do you know if their email support is outsourced too?

[contorted_svy]

From my knowledge it's quite hard to get a timely reply. As annoying and hard to process in a stressful situation as it is, best thing to do is to apply and wait for passports to be delivered, their processing times are 3 weeks but loads of people get everything back a lot quicker. I was in a similar situation when I became a citizen last year, with a family member undergoing major life saving surgery just 2 weeks after - I submitted my passport application the day I became a citizen and got everything in 8-9 days.

[timeavailable]

Update: I sent a colour photocopy of my passport along with a covering letter and my naturalisation certificate, and my application has been approved by the passport office.

[contorted_svy]

Congratulations. this will be a useful case study for other members.