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Pathetically stupid bureaucracy at the Passport Office

I do actually recall when at least one part of the British bureaucracy worked. A couple of decades ago my passport was running out and I needed a new one. Now, OK, admittedly, I had to drive to Newport (that\’s in Wales, shudder), but I was able to get a new passport in a day.

So, today, I\’ve a damaged passport and it\’s getting to the point that airlines don\’t want to let me on board. Try to get a replacement.

There\’s a 24 hour service. But, umm, you can\’t use that to replace a damaged passport. Only to replace an out of date one or a lost or stolen one.

Eh?

Only the one week service is available for damaged passports. OK, I\’m travelling in 8 days.

No, you cannot have an appointment for today.

So, either I lie on oath (yes, they do take the "lost or stolen" part of a passport that seriously) or I risk travelling on a passport where the airline might not allow me to board.

So what the fuck is going on here? Why can\’t I (pay more for and) use the 24 hour service for a damaged passport? Which cretin invented that rule?

Given that I\’m five minutes walk from the passport office itself surely it\’s not beyond the wit of man to be able to sort this out. It is though apparently beyond the wit of the bureaucracy.

 

 

9 thoughts on “Pathetically stupid bureaucracy at the Passport Office”

  1. They lie. My son had a damaged passport replaced last month (the US Embassy declined to sully their visa with the laundered one).

    Same day service, in for interview at 8.45, passport collected that evening.

  2. “So, either I lie on oath (yes, they do take the “lost or stolen” part of a passport that seriously)”

    This venal lot in power have no respect for the law when it constrains them, and they lie as a matter of course. Why should anyone feel the slightest guilt in lying to them on any non-verifiable matter?

  3. I can’t see how the presentation of clear, if a bit ragged, provenance can put you at such a disadvantage when applying for a replacement. Particularly as they ought to be able to compare the document with their own records.

  4. BlacquesJacquesShellacques

    “Why should anyone feel the slightest guilt in lying to them on any non-verifiable matter?”

    No, no.

    Why should anyone feel the slightest inclination to tell them the truth on any matter?

    Proper, moral conduct now mandates always lying to state agents on any non-verifiable matter and refusing information on any other. The west has fallen, time we all understood the consequences.

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