UK Passport Application Questions - Could use some help

I am in the process of filling out the application form (form C1) for my first British Passport. At this time I have a 'Right of Abode' certificate in my Canadian passport because my father was born and raised in the UK. I will have to renew my Canadian passport soon, and because of the changes in the British visa rules, I will have to reapply for my 'Right of Abode'. I have therefore decided to apply for a British passport as the documentation needed for my 'Right of Abode' seems to be the same needed for a passport. Looking at the form, the very first statement on the form reads:

'Use this form if you are applying for a United Kingdom passport and are a British citizen, British Overseas Territories citizen, British Overseas citizen, British subject or British protected person.'

So, here are my questions.

* Is this statement telling me that I must first apply for British Citizenship before I can apply for a British passport?
* I understand that I may be required to go in for an interview. How likely will this be? The passport office is in Ottawa and I live on the west coast of Canada.
* The documentation I send with the application (Father's birth certificate, Parent's marriage certificate, my birth certificate, etc.). Will the passport office accept properly notorized copies, or will I have ot send the originals?
* If I send the originals, will they be returned?

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Cheers,
TS

The Identity Cards Act 2005 requires all first-time applicants for a UK passport to be interviewed. You would think the local consulate would be responsible for it rather than the High Commission in Ottawa, but you'd have to check with them. It doesn't look promising from their website.

Thanks for the reply. I also got from the website that the only location that deals with passports in Canada is the British High Commission in Ottawa. All other consulates are trade missions and have nothing to do with passports. So, I guess it'll be a quick trip to Ottawa for me when asked.

Any comment on that statement from the form? Do I first have to apply for British Citizenship and then a passport or is applying for a passport in effect me also applying for citizenship?

For a new adult passport, everyone has to go for an interview. It's only to ascertain whether you are who you say you are.
J.

All "consulates" have consuls and consular functions (which means serving the needs of British citizens overseas). If they only dealt with trade, they would be called trade offices.

It is possible that passport applications may be forwarded to the High Commission in Ottawa for processing, but the consulates exist to service UK citizens in the regions. John