NO2ID

I had a passport when I was young, it expired around 25 years ago and I chucked it out about 10 yrs ago, don't like flying. My mum and dad travel all over and earlier this year they both passed away quite unexpectedly in Texas. I was contacted by a friend of theirs over there who arranged for everything for me as I was having surgery and couldn't travel. I've applied for a passport to go and retrieve their things and take care of their affairs there (they lived in Texas every winter). Was told by the passport office that they can't find any record of my original passport and I'll have to apply for a first time adult passport. WTF!! They want me to lie on a government form, then they want me to pay again and will refund my original payment, make me attend an 'interview' and make me wait 6 weeks for the priviledge. Anyone got any thoughts on this???

Why do you have to lie on the form? That shouldn't be necessary. If there are untrue statements pre-printed on the form, I'd just cross them out and correct them (although there is a small risk that you might lose your application fee).

As for the rest, I'd suggest that your best course of action would be to complain to your MP (http://www.writetothem.com). It's doubtful that your MP will do anything about it, but MPs and Lords are the only people that can. You might also consider raising the issue on the government's consultation website at http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk.

The form asks have you ever had a passport before, they told me I can't fill in yes and then apply for a first adult passport, the only way I can get a passport is to apply for a first adult passport as they can find no trace of my old passport from 25/30 years ago as those records are not computerized, hence if I ignore the 'have you ever had a passport before' question and complete the part for first adult passport it's a lie!! This has been dragging on now for a month and still no trace of my first passport, I think they've given up looking!!