no. we applied for a spouse visa more than 3 1/2 yrs ago, and it said on the app then a certified copy of passport should be sent, or a wouldn't have wasted £30 getting a solicitor to do it
as i've said, some cases workers don't know the rules, or don't care, thats why you will find some people who came to the uk 2 months after their visa was issued and still got ILR without applying for FLR .. just the luck of the draw
