British passport application - new obstacles

[i_worker]

Hi,

Just want to share some experience with regards applying for British passport.
My wife has recently applied for a British passport.
A week after application was submitted we received a letter from UK Passport service asking for letters of 3 Years history and residence.
Those have to be from your employer, landlord, accountant, bank, dentist (not GP!) where they have to confirm that they have dealt with the applicant and in what capacity. They also have to list all applicant's addresses known to them.

Is it a newly introduced practice?
Have anyone else experienced the same recently?

[Marco 72]

Did they give a reason why this information was necessary? Is it her first passport application? I applied in May at the passport office. When I booked the appointment all they asked for was: proof of citizenship, and two proofs of address. When I had the appointment they didn't even want to see the proof of address.

[SK1]

I read somewhere that another poster applied recently as well, and they weren't called for an interview nor were asked any of that. They got their passports within 2 weeks.

I applied a week ago (first time applicant) and haven't heard or had a letter through the post yet. This is the first time I've heard about something like that happening.

SK1

[Dawie]

Those have to be from your employer, landlord, accountant, bank, dentist (not GP!) where they have to confirm that they have dealt with the applicant and in what capacity. They also have to list all applicant's addresses known to them.

And what if you don't have an employer (because you're self-employed), landlord (because you own your own property), accountant (because you do your own accounts), bank (because you keep your money under the matress) or dentist (because you never go to one)?

[Christophe]

Those have to be from your employer, landlord, accountant, bank, dentist (not GP!) where they have to confirm that they have dealt with the applicant and in what capacity. They also have to list all applicant's addresses known to them.

And what if you don't have an employer (because you're self-employed), landlord (because you own your own property), accountant (because you do your own accounts), bank (because you keep your money under the matress) or dentist (because you never go to one)?

I guess most people applying for citizenship would have a bank account, but you're quite right: many would not have an employer, landlord or accountant, and some would certainly not have a dentist to call their own!

[SK1]

Did they give a reason why this information was necessary? Is it her first passport application? I applied in May at the passport office. When I booked the appointment all they asked for was: proof of citizenship, and two proofs of address. When I had the appointment they didn't even want to see the proof of address.

I am getting spooked now. I sure don't have a dentist or an accountant and have also applied very recently for my passport. I wonder why this request has been made and will it become the norm?

SK1

[tekaweni]

SK1 the Home Office has already said they're going to be tightening up the issue process for first passports, although not much detail has emerged on exactly how. Theres a thread around somewhere which has the BBC link to the story.

I would certainly think this will become the norm, or at least something very similar to it.