certified copies of passports?

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

I was recently told by somebody who was going to apply for his British Citizenship that soliciters he contacted refused to make certified copies of his passport to send with the application because of, apparently, high instance of fraud.

Anyone else heard of this?
What kind of fraud are they concerned about? That the passport is forged?

I actually suspect he wants to avoid paying the application fee and this is his excuse for delaying his application, but who knows...

[djb123]

I was recently told by somebody who was going to apply for his British Citizenship that soliciters he contacted refused to make certified copies of his passport to send with the application because of, apparently, high instance of fraud.

Anyone else heard of this?
What kind of fraud are they concerned about? That the passport is forged?

I actually suspect he wants to avoid paying the application fee and this is this excuse for delaying his application, but who knows...

No idea. Though why is he getting certified copies in the first place? Either you send your original passports or you use NCS who will make the copies.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

No idea. Though why is he getting certified copies in the first place? Either you send your original passports or you use NCS who will make the copies.

You can also send a certified (by a soliciter) copy of the passport. They did not advertise that loudly in the past, but it is definitely fine with UKBA. This is quick and easy to get (or so I thought), and does not require the long appointment time and fees of the NCS

[djb123]

No idea. Though why is he getting certified copies in the first place? Either you send your original passports or you use NCS who will make the copies.

You can also send a certified (by a soliciter) copy of the passport. They did not advertise that loudly in the past, but it is definitely fine with UKBA. This is quick and easy to get (or so I thought), and does not require the long appointment time and fees of the NCS

They don't seem to advertise it at all now (not anywhere I've seen anyway), must prefer people to use NCS if they don't want to send their originals. Guess they could still ask to see your original passports anyway if you send certified copies not using NCS.

[Directive/2004/38/EC]

Guess they could still ask to see your original passports anyway if you send certified copies not using NCS.

They reserve the right to see the originals even when using NCS
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... ngservice/

Applying through the Nationality Checking Service (NCS)
... you can keep hold of your documents (like your passport) - we can, however, request the originals if we need them.

UKBA now explictly mention sending certified photocopies of the passport. They used to only tell you if you called their call centre and asked...
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/briti ... e/#header3

Individual applications
You may apply directly without using the nationality checking service or a representative. You must submit either original documents, or a fully certified photocopy of your documents.

[thewallstreetmonkey]

Does UKBA accept post office certified copies of permanent residence card and my ID when I apply for naturalisation directly?

[Jambo]

Does UKBA accept post office certified copies of permanent residence card and my ID when I apply for naturalisation directly?

No.