Q: Do I need to appear in person to apply for a passport?
A:
First-time applicants should appear in person when applying for a passport.
In the case of a minor (person under 18 years of age), the parent or legal guardian should complete the relevant sections of the application form. The child is also required to appear in person for all categories of passport applications, including first time, renewal or replacement applications. The only exceptions are children under the age of three years. Persons who are renewing a passport that was issued when they were a minor will also need to appear in person.
Adults who are renewing their passport need not appear in person and may send their old passport along with a bearer, who would be required to produce a letter of authorisation to collect the passport. The High Commission reserves the right to ask an applicant to appear in person for an interview to support his or her passport application. Applicants who report a lost or damaged passport will be required to appear in person to account for the passport and do a lost passport statement.