Apply for a British Passport

British Passport Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a British passport, you must hold British nationality. British citizenship can be acquired through birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation. While there are other forms of British nationality, each with its specific requirements, they all qualify as forms of British nationality.

• British citizen
• British overseas territories citizen
• British overseas citizen
• British subject
• British national (overseas)
• British protected person

You must be aged 16 or over (or will be 16 in 3 weeks) and never have had a UK passport before, and there must be no government-listed reasons that make you ineligible. You cannot apply for or hold a British passport if:

• You are suspected of a serious crime, and an arrest warrant has been issued.
• A court order prevents you from having a UK passport or restricts travel.
• You are on bail, and your bail conditions prohibit you from leaving the UK.
• You have been brought back to the UK at the government's expense and have not repaid the costs.
• You are under a European Union or United Nations order restricting travel.

Facts & Figures

The number of valid British passports is split by passport type as of 31st December 2023.

Source: UK Passport Records by HM Passport Office

Benefits of a British Passport

Holding a British passport serves as proof of British citizenship and right of abode in the UK and provides several key advantages, including:

Proof of Identity

The passport can be used as official identification, necessary for accessing benefits and services, and as proof of the right to work, study, and live permanently in the UK.

Travel Freedom

It allows you to enter and leave the UK without immigration controls and grants visa-free access to over 139 countries.

Consular Assistance

You can receive support from British embassies worldwide and, in some cases, from Commonwealth embassies.

Required Documents for Your Passport Application

The required documents for applying for a British passport depend on whether you are:

• born before or after 1st January 1983
• born inside or outside the UK
• applying for the first time or a renewal
• applying for an adult or child
• applying inside or outside the UK
• changing personal details

Applications will require a core set of documents, including:

• Two Recent Identical Photos:
  • Passport-size photos, following specific guidelines.

• Current or Most Recent Passport:
  • If applicable, provide your current or most recent British passport.
• Proof of Identity:
  • This can include:
    • Full birth certificate (original or official copy), showing parents' details.
    • Adoption certificate (original or official copy), if applicable.
• Proof of British Nationality:
  • Depending on your situation, this may include:
    • Naturalisation or registration certificate.
    • Evidence of a parent's British citizenship, such as their birth certificate, passport, or Home Office certificate of registration/naturalisation.
• Parental or Guardian Documents (if applicable):
  • Parents’ birth certificates, marriage certificates, or evidence of their immigration status in the UK.
• Change of name documents:
  • Include all supporting documents if your name has changed

A certified translation must be provided if any documents are outside of English or Welsh. You must submit original documents or official copies where applicable, as photocopies are not accepted.

Specific Additional Requirements for Certain Applications:

• Dual Citizenship:
  • If you have a passport from another country, the name and gender must match the details you want on your British passport. If they don't match, update your non-British passport before applying for the British one.
• Lost or Stolen Passport Replacement:
  • A completed LS01 form along with your documents.
• Damaged Passport Replacement:
  • The damaged passport itself and the above documents.

34 Vs 54 Page UK Passport

The UK offers two passport size options: a 34-page standard version and a 54-page jumbo version. The 54-page passport is ideal for frequent travellers who are likely to fill up pages quickly, reducing the risk of running out of space. This 54-page option requires an additional fee.

Countersigning

If you submit a paper application, you will need a countersignatory. A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity and attest that they have known you personally for at least two years. They also verify that the information you've provided in your application is accurate.

Your countersignatory must:

• Be a UK or Irish citizen, currently living in the UK.
• Be a professional person or someone of good standing in their community.
• Not be related to you by birth, marriage, or personal relationship.
• Not live at your address.
• Not work for the Home Office.

The countersignatory must countersign the application form and write the following on the back of one photo:

‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].’

They must then add their signature and the date under the statement.

Accepted occupations

Your countersignatory must either work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession or be of good standing in their community. Example professions include:

• Accountant
• Airline Pilot
• Bank or Building Society Official
• Barrister
• Civil Servant (Permanent)
• Dentist
• Engineer with Professional Qualifications
• Fire Service Official
• Journalist
• Nurse (RGN or RMN)
• Police Officer
• Solicitor
• Teacher or Lecturer
• Pharmacist
• Member of Parliament

Fees

Processing Times

The passport processing time begins once your documents are received. Typically, you'll receive your passport within 3 weeks. However, it may take longer if additional information or an interview is needed. If so, you'll be notified within the initial 3 weeks.

If you're applying from another country, you will need to check the processing times separately.

Get a Passport Urgently

You can pay for an urgent passport service if the standard processing time is too long.

1 Day Premium Service

• Appointment: The earliest is 2 days after you apply.
• Delivery: Receive your new passport at the appointment.
• Eligibility: Only for renewing adult passports.
• Cost: £207.50

1 Week Fast Track Service

• Appointment: The earliest is the day after you apply.
• Delivery: New passport delivered by courier 1 week after the appointment.
• Eligibility:
  • Renew a passport
  • Change personal details (e.g., name, place of birth, gender)
  • Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
  • Get a child passport
• Cost:
  • £166.50 for an adult passport
  • £135.50 for a child passport

How to Apply for a British Passport

Apply Within the UK

You can request your passport via one of the following methods:

• Online. This is the cheapest way to apply and allows you to track the status of your application online.
• Post Office
  • Digital Check & Send
    • No paper form filling
    • The Post Office will complete and submit your application digitally and take your photos.
    • Track the status of your application online.
    • This service is available in 1,100 branches.
  • Paper Check & Send
    • The Post Office will check the application is complete and correct before posting it.
    • You will provide your photographs.
    • This service is available in 2,500 branches.
• Post. You can obtain an application form from the post office and send your completed application, along with all supporting documents, directly to the UK Visas and Immigration.
• By appointment. The 1-day Premium and 1-week Fast Track services are available by appointment for an additional fee.

Apply Outside the UK

A different procedure applies if you are applying for a British passport from overseas. To confirm the specific requirements for the country you will apply from, you should check by selecting the country on the official government website at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports.

Tracking Passport Applications

After you submit your application online, you can track its status.

• If you apply online or via the Post Office, you can track the status of your passport application directly on the Home Office website.
• If you submitted a paper form by post or via the Post Office "Check and Send," you need to call the Passport Adviceline and select option 1.
  • Telephone: 0300 222 0000
  • From outside the UK: +44 (0)300 222 0000

If you need any other type of advice then you can contact the government directly via the following channels:

• Web chat
• An online enquiry form
• Phone
• Post

The Passport Advice line operates Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and on weekends and UK bank holidays from 9 am to 5:30 pm

Rejection & Common Issues

There are many reasons why a passport application can be rejected; common reasons include the following:

1. Inaccurate Personal Details:
   • Personal information provided (such as name, date of birth, and gender) does not match your supporting documents. All changes in personal details must be backed by appropriate documentation.
2. Incomplete Documentation:
   • Failure to submit all required original documents or official copies can lead to rejection. Photocopies are not accepted, and damaged documents will need to be replaced.
3. Improper Form Completion:
   • Forms are incomplete, improperly filled out, or correction fluid is used. Mistakes should be crossed out and corrected clearly, and all required sections must be signed.
4. Non-Compliant Photographs:
   • Submitting photos that do not meet the specified guidelines, such as size or background, can cause delays or rejection. If applicable, one photo must be certified by a countersignatory, especially for first-time applicants, renewals for children, or if there's a significant change in appearance.
5. Eligibility and Legal Restrictions:
   • Applications can be denied if the applicant:
     • It is suspected of serious crimes or is under investigation.
     • Is subject to court orders restricting passport possession or travel.
     • Is on bail with conditions preventing travel outside the UK.
     • Has unpaid government debts, particularly for previous repatriation costs.
     • Faces restrictions from European Union or United Nations orders.
6. Failure to Verify Information:
   • The Passport Office can reject applications if they cannot verify the details provided, which might happen if the supporting documentation is inadequate or inconsistent.

UK Passport Approved

Once your application is approved, your new passport will be sent via courier or recorded delivery. Your original documents will be returned separately. British passports are typically valid for 10 years, reducing the need for frequent renewals.

Renewing a British Passport

You can renew your UK passport at any time before it expires. However, it is recommended that you do so 3-6 months before you plan to travel internationally, as many countries require passports to be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.

The renewal process is similar to the original application. You can apply online, but you will need to provide supporting documentation. You must submit the relevant certificate if your name changes due to marriage or civil partnership.

Renewals typically take around 3 weeks, but fast-track options are available for an additional fee.

Get Help with a UK Passport Application

Applying for a UK passport is the final step to British citizenship. While the process is much simpler than visa and citizenship applications, it can still be time-consuming and uncertain.

QC Immigration's team of experts can assist you by streamlining your application for accuracy and efficiency. We help you avoid common pitfalls, ensuring a hassle-free experience. We aim to successfully guide you through the process, so you can enjoy a smooth transition to obtaining your passport.