Passport Application: How does the "witness" part work when applying online?

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AlphaAlfalfaSprout

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302259 10-Nov-2022 22:35

For the printed application they require the witness to sign the witness page, as well as write their name and signature on the back of a printed photo of you. How does this work if you apply online? Do I still need to have a printed photo and obtain a physical signature from the witness? If I do need to print a photo, does it have to be printed on special photo paper (i.e. what they demand for the main photo during a printed application)?

If it makes any difference, I'm applying for my first ever passport and I don't have a verified RealMe.

Ruphus

464 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2994481 10-Nov-2022 22:47

Here's what you need:

Apply for your first adult passport | New Zealand Government (www.govt.nz)

You can apply for your first passport online.

You need:

a RealMe login
your details
an identity referee
a passport photo
a device with internet access and a camera
an emergency contact
a payment method
delivery details.

And for the witness part:

Identity referee or witness | New Zealand Passports

If you are applying for your passport online or renewing your passport, you need an identity referee.

This person must agree to be your identity referee, and provide their:

current or expired passport details
full name
phone number
date of birth
home address
email address.

Your identity referee does not need to:

sign or complete a form
sign your photo.

Lias

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#2994532 10-Nov-2022 23:24

Everything is online, no physical photo.

You submit a photo.

They reject it.

You submit a photo.

They reject it again, and suggest you get it done professionally..

You tell them it WAS done professionally and as it had guaranteed acceptance, you go back to where you got it from.

That place says DIA have been absolute dicks about photos the last few years and it's really subjective and depends on your luck of the draw as to which image reviewer you get.

You then get 30 odd different photos and send them to DIA and tell them to just f'ing pick one.

At least that was my experience of getting passports for one of the kids recently. The other one's photo got approved first go despite having more shadow than the rejected kids photo. *mutter* I think the shop was spot on with the subjective thing.

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#2994540 11-Nov-2022 06:26

i only do my passports online (adults kids and babies) and take my own photos (well i know what they're looking for - it's clearly stated what is required)

the referee part just works like a paper application - you just type in the details instead of writing

dt

1152 posts

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#2994562 11-Nov-2022 08:23

did my last passport renewal online and took the photo using my webcam, it 'analysed' the photo a couple of times and let me move onto the next step.

I was very impressed how easy and convenient the whole process was

Gurezaemon

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#2994572 11-Nov-2022 08:43

I've just done this several times for various kids over the last couple of years.

You give the name of the referee, and once in a while, the DIA will contact them with a couple of questions, as in "What is the name of the person in this photo" and "how do you know them."

They don't seem to contact everyone given as a referee, just enough people to make it a distinct possibility to keep people honest.

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timmmay

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#2994573 11-Nov-2022 08:54

I was contacted by DIA for a friends two kids passport review. They asked me HEAPS of questions, like "what color are their eyes". I answered "these are my friends kids, I've known them since they were born, but I don't spend a lot of time looking into their eyes". Other questions were height, hair color, etc. So if you're the referee for someone make sure you know the basics at least.

Lias

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#2994637 11-Nov-2022 11:34

Referee for my kids was asked "Do you know them" that was it.

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afe66

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#2994659 11-Nov-2022 12:24

My referee was asked how long knew my kids and us address their eye colour

allan

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#2994736 11-Nov-2022 14:33

If you're wearing glasses don't forget to remove them when taking photo.

KrazyKid

1238 posts

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#2994765 11-Nov-2022 16:05

Lias:

Everything is online, no physical photo.

You submit a photo.

They reject it.

You submit a photo.

They reject it again, and suggest you get it done professionally..

You tell them it WAS done professionally and as it had guaranteed acceptance, you go back to where you got it from.

That place says DIA have been absolute dicks about photos the last few years and it's really subjective and depends on your luck of the draw as to which image reviewer you get.

You then get 30 odd different photos and send them to DIA and tell them to just f'ing pick one.

At least that was my experience of getting passports for one of the kids recently. The other one's photo got approved first go despite having more shadow than the rejected kids photo. *mutter* I think the shop was spot on with the subjective thing.

This was me recently as well. Rejected first two photos, 2nd one was professionally done. Third time the charm.

But nice that everything was doable online. Overall took about 2-3 weeks. We wubmitted the final photo on a Thursday night. We were emailed as with photo accepted on the next Monday and passport arrived Tuesday.
Quick to print and deliver at least.

itxtme

2102 posts

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#2994784 11-Nov-2022 16:13

afe66: My referee was asked how long knew my kids and us address their eye colour

I did this for someone's kids recently, and was asked that plus distinguishing features, freckles, hair colour, length of hair - all sorts. I felt the pressure, as while I knew the kids cant say I took great effort in remembering that kind of detail.

Handle9

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#2996786 15-Nov-2022 15:54

Lias:
Everything is online, no physical photo.

You submit a photo.

They reject it.

You submit a photo.

They reject it again, and suggest you get it done professionally..

You tell them it WAS done professionally and as it had guaranteed acceptance, you go back to where you got it from.

That place says DIA have been absolute dicks about photos the last few years and it's really subjective and depends on your luck of the draw as to which image reviewer you get.

You then get 30 odd different photos and send them to DIA and tell them to just f'ing pick one.

At least that was my experience of getting passports for one of the kids recently. The other one's photo got approved first go despite having more shadow than the rejected kids photo. *mutter* I think the shop was spot on with the subjective thing.

Funnily enough I’m having the same experience now. It’s crazy, in my experience previously if the photo passed the online tool it was accepted. When we renewed my youngest daughters passport 18 months ago it was all done inside a week, including DHL to Dubai.

They could probably avoid some of the delays they are having by fixing their online photo checking tool to be consistent with whatever arbitrary standard they have set.

Blurtie

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2996795 15-Nov-2022 16:20

How timely.. I applied for my passport renewal on Sunday evening (13th Nov), received confirmation today (15th Nov) that it's been processed and has been collected by the courier. Should receive it (in Chch) tomorrow. Pretty impressed with that!

I also applied for first passports for my boys at the same time and yet to hear anything on them.

Online is the way to go, so easy. Everything's electronic, no physical copies of photos or signatures required, just need to check some check boxes..

For the photos, I just downloaded a passport photo app from the play store - paid the $10 for a full version to remove annoying ads and get extra functionailty - and used it to take photos for the whole family. Checked the photos against the online tool and all passed the test - further confirmed by my application going straight through.. I figure the $10 is still cheaper than going to the professionals and getting a photo for each member of the family!

Handle9

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#2996839 15-Nov-2022 17:49

Blurtie:

Checked the photos against the online tool and all passed the test - further confirmed by my application going straight through.

That wasn't my experience. No problem with the photos passing the tool but they got rejected. Let's see how the professional ones go this week.