Passport Office

What do you do if passport office tear your document and send it back to you with no apology?

Just received my daughter birth's certifcate from the passport office torn. It was brand new, my daughter is only a year old. I'm planning to send it back with a letter of complaint but my husband does not think it's necessary, he feels the best I'd get from them is an apology, that does not really change anything. I'm so livid......

Public Comments

1. Tape it up. Or get a new one from the health department.
2. They just cannot get decent staff these days,nobody cares any more.I would send a letter of complaint with all the relevant details.Then you have at least done something,you can get another cert at somerset house.
3. I understand how you feel, and I would likely complain myself, but no matter what happens it won't make you feel better here. That document is precious to you, and not to them. It can't ever be undamaged, and that's what you need to placate you. There's a lot of sentimental emotion involved in a document relating to your baby, and it's awful that it's happened to you as it can't be undone.
4. It's a piece of paper, get another one from her place of birth. In the future do not send the "original" copy send a duplicate.
5. Go ahead and ask for the apology. You are annoyed and rightly so, and at least it will make you feel a bit better if you can get an apology out of them. Also it lets them know that it has happened, so they can hopefully prevent it from recurring with someone else. About your certificate. You can order another one online for about £7.00 (a fee which you might like to ask for from the passport office while you are complaining). All the best. http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/order_certificates/obtain_certificates/how--to--apply--and--pay.asp
6. well..I understand how you feel. My ex partner 'lost' our daughters original birth certficate. when you get a replacement it isn't the same. It is a replacement and is not in the same format as the original. The replacement I got actually stated on it that it was a reprint. :(( I would send a letter of complaint. It really isn't good enough. Official government offices always ask for the original and not a photocopy so you have to send the original and 'hope' that they will treat it with respect. In your case they haven't. And that is simply not good enough. I'm sorry that this has happened but i reckon your husband is right. all they can do is apologise. But, I would still complain, and see what they say.
7. Ok for those of you giving answers, a new birth certificate is £7. You HAVE to send the original in to them when applying for your passport otherwise your application is null and void. I had the same problem, my son's birth certificate came back in a bit of a mess. It looked like someone had spilt a drink on it. Needless to say I was angry as birth certs are getting more expensive every year and wrote to them in complaint. All I got was an apology, there was no offer of even part payment to go towards a new one. i'd say don't bother with them if the truth be told they'll just find an excuse to fob you off with.