Becoming Estranged & Getting Important Docs - Practical Tips

In an ideal world we are able to make our emergency bag and take everything we need with us, but it might be the case that you don't have a passport or ID, or you might not be able to access yours. 

If you are care experienced: Your local Care Leavers' Service (CLS) will help you to get the important documents or photo identification you need, such as a passport and birth certificate. The CLS will fund three forms of identification, most commonly this will be birth certificate, passport and driving licence. To request this funding or for more support, please speak to your Personal Adviser (PA). Your PA should support you with an application for your first passport and your National Insurance number. Your local authority/leaving care team can also keep copies keep copies of your important documents safely on your record - but you need to request this as it is not automatic.

Passport - how do I apply without my parent's birth certificates/information? The government are aware that some peoples' parents will not support an application or may be deceased. They also recognise that their may be a 'safeguarding or vulnerability concern' stopping you being able to provide some details (see the image below and also the gov.uk site here). This doesn't mean you can't get a passport! You may find this site helpful: Can I apply/renew a Passport without parents details? 

Voter ID - voting in elections: we have full information on this, including on how to get free ID, over on our page Activism: Raising Our Voices (scroll to the section on voting).

Who can I call for help?  Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who knows. The UK government's official passport advice-line can be reached at 0300 222 0000 (calls to this number will be charged at the normal rate you pay for national calls.) Textphone on 0300 222 0222 or Text Relay on 18001 0300 222 0000 for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing.