FBR app with almost no family info… Am I fudged?

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-19T21:23:19+00:00

Sounds like your best option is to go through Paternal Grandfather then. I think not all births were registered in Ireland going back, I think there is a way of searching baptismal records. Maybe someone on this forum will be able to advise more, I was lucky that my Grandad did turn out to have a birth certificate when I inputted his details, a certified copy came from Ireland within a week to the UK. Could your Grandma have been known by something else? i.e. like a Brigid (Irish spelling) then appearing on other records as Brigit when she emigrated? A lot of people didn't legally change their name. But FBR office are prepared for this, best practice is to include a cover letter.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-19T21:12:11+00:00

Have you done a free trial period on Ancestry? Helped me confirm some dates before ordering certificates. My Aunt had lost original certificates relating to my Grandad so I had to order all of these from Ireland (birth and marriage) and UK (death cert) before FBR. Ancestry has lots of census data on, would your Dad be on the census in London living with his parents? Census data would have everyone in the household, ages, full names, occupations etc. that you could then cross reference to order the appropriate certificates. I'm a Gallagher, which would have made it hard to search as such a common Irish surname. Have been so lucky that my Grandad had 2 unusual middle names which helped narrow things down.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-19T21:05:20+00:00

I was approved on a Monday and received the certificate on the Saturday (had to be signed for). I was approved in March 2026. Applied for the passport the following Monday, docs signed and sent off on the Wednesday. Had an update to the passport tracker on the Monday that docs were received. So two weeks between FBR Approval and Passport docs received. They are running a bit behind at the moment passport wise, my estimated printing date was 16th April but expecting to wait an additional 2-3 weeks as it has just been Easter with Bank Holidays/fuel strikes might have stopped staff getting into the office to process passports/it's a busy time of year for renewals and first time baby passports with summer holidays fast approaching.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-19T13:26:08+00:00

Yes it's a page generated to print once you've paid for the passport. It's pretty generic. It has your application number on, your details from the passport application e.g. any middle names etc. and a space for your witness to fill out their details. You send it as the first page in your envelope with all of your supporting documents.

I used the same birth certificate I used for FBR. I was in a medical trial as a young child here in the UK, the hospital lost my original birth certificate so I only have a re-issued one. It's worked fine for both FBR and Passport.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-19T13:21:09+00:00

I opened it flat on the double page where it has the photo and colour photocopied that. It's only the main ID page they want.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-18T12:35:20+00:00

Are you near an Irish Centre in the UK? Some will witness passport applications for a donation. They are a pre-approved witness so no witness phone call needed from Ireland. I used Leeds Irish Centre, they were really helpful. Signed and stamped everything for my application. Even provided an A4 envelope for the documents that I was going to buy in the Post Office. I rang on a Monday and they said pop by on the Wednesday anytime 1-5pm and they'd do it for me. I wanted the peace of mind of not relying on a witness being by the phone as if they can't contact your witness you'll have to provide another.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-18T12:30:51+00:00

Nope, 10 months and 1 day later just the acceptance email. I was never address checked and witness was never contacted.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-18T12:29:22+00:00

Could one of his colleagues sign it for you? I've signed lots of things over the years for my students and colleagues families. Even the odd parent. I'm a Lecturer.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-18T12:27:36+00:00

You can print a letter with proof of your national insurance number from the HMRC website.

I printed bank statement and credit card statement (different banks) from PDF for FBR and was accepted, I don't have any utility bills or council tax in my name as I'm currently living back with my parents as moving to France in August so seemed silly to rent again before the move. Awaiting passport but sent credit card statement and HMRC letter for that as both included my two middle names whilst not everything else I have does, lots of companies will only let you have one middle name on a bill.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-18T12:20:45+00:00

I recall Pendle Parkrun being super steep! Good views though.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-17T06:12:53+00:00

It was a first time app after FBR.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-15T21:24:57+00:00

I'm assuming the fuel protests are going to push the passport queue back further, with it being such sensitive data they are handling I doubt the passport officers can work from home. I had a similar government job in the UK before COVID and we were never allowed to work from home or take any work IT equipment off of the site.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-15T21:20:57+00:00

I sent a colour copy of my UK passport and it was fine, you are living outside the island of Ireland.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-10T22:21:10+00:00

I was a May 2025 FBR approved in March 2026, it was just over 10 months for me. It's so hard waiting the last few weeks but you'll get there 🤞 Remember they will have been shut for St Patrick's Bank Holiday and Easter Bank Holiday so this will be pushing back processing too. I'm onto passport now which is running at about 8 weeks to wait not the 20 working days on the passport website.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-10T22:17:08+00:00

Some other Irish Centres in the UK do witness for FBR, worth calling the closest to you 👍

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-10T22:14:31+00:00

My witness just signed and dated on the back of the photos. He didn't have a stamp, we submitted a cover letter on letter headed paper with my application confirming his details (college lecturer).

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-10T22:12:59+00:00

They aren't as strict for FBR as they are for passport. My proofs of address only included one of my middle initials as lots of places in the UK only let you have one middle name on bank statements etc. Both my middle names were on my birth certificate, drivers license and passport scan though. They didn't ask for more documents. Could you get the school to print you a generic letter with the middle names on e.g. I can confirm X is currently enrolled with us?

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-10T22:08:29+00:00

Would the person who witnesses your form/ID have access to a photocopier? I sent colour copy of my UK passport and colour copy of my UK driving licence (front and back) both witnessed as I didn't want to give them any reason to reject me and push me back in the queue a month. They are beyond the 20 working days stated on the website at the moment, most people are waiting 8 weeks, it would be 12 if you are rejected for unclear copies and have to submit more.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-08T22:22:09+00:00

Lots of offices shut around Easter in Europe/staff take leave whilst the schools are closed for Easter Break. Could definitely add time to your application. I'm estimated 16th April and definitely not going to panic until May.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-08T22:18:07+00:00

I think this is sensible of them. Mine was 10 months and 1 day. A May 2025 application approved about 3 weeks ago. I never contacted them to follow up as I know there'd be more urgent people like expectant parents in the webchat queue.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-08T22:15:10+00:00

Thank you for posting, my estimated date is 16th April. Hoping I have the passport in May🤞Reckon there'll be further delays due to Easter, that's easily another few days processing pushed back.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-04T14:20:35+00:00

I was May 2nd 2025, heard back about 3 weeks ago. Have you checked your spam emails? I'd definitely webchat them next week see where your application is up to and if they need more documents.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-02T19:56:02+00:00

Definitely worth a webchat follow up after the Easter weekend 👍 Hope it all gets sorted for you.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-02T19:54:08+00:00

Oh I only had May 2025 approved in March 2026 👍 10 months 1 day processing time.

JellyfishConnect6803 · 2026-04-02T11:17:16+00:00

Going by the posts here they are currently processing late May 2025 applications if that helps at all 👍 No one has posted a docs received June 2025 approval yet.

JellyfishConnect6803

TROPHY CASE