DNA Evidence Not Welcomed

On a recent first passport application for a British child born overseas, the father was shocked to receive a letter asking him to provide a substantial amount of evidence to demonstrate that he was with his wife, at the time of conception. 

Despite the humiliation, it was volunteered to the Passport office that the father would pay for a DNA test to resolve the matter, as per the Home Office Policy Guidance DNA, ‘Officials can give applicants the opportunity to provide DNA evidence as one of a range of options to prove a relationship, but it is voluntary, and it is the applicant’s choice as to whether they wish to provide it in further support of their application’. This was a case where DNA evidence would enable a decision to be made quickly, and prevent the family from further embarrassment and distress. 

On multiple occasions the Passport Offices refused our offer of DNA evidence, stating ‘Her Majesty’s Passport Office has its own policies on DNA testing. The policy states that DNA test results are not a substitute for supporting documents’. After continuing our investigation, it was clear to us that there was no alternative guidance, of which the Passport Office were relying on and provided no justifiable reason for the refusal, and that DNA evidence can be offered instead of the supporting documents. 

The doubt of paternity for our clients who are of religious Muslim background and, who recently gave birth to a long awaited and loved British child, is an insult.  We are pleased to say that with our assistance, the daughter now has her British Passport.