passport rules for travel to uk

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United Kingdom

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

United kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the United Kingdom.

If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter.com/Travelgov
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the United Kingdom.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Quick Facts

Must be valid for the duration of your stay in the United Kingdom   (If you have onward travel to countries outside the United Kingdom, you should check the passport validity requirements for each additional country on their respective information pages.)

Must have at least one page

Not required for stays less than six months.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy london.

33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh, Scotland 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW Scotland Telephone: 013-1556-8315 / from the United States: 011 (44)(13) 1556-8315 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  020-7499-9000 / from the United States: 011 (44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: 0131-557-6023 /from the United States: 011 (44) 131-557-6023 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Belfast, Northern Ireland Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5GR Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Telephone: 028-9038-6100 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9038-6100 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 01253-501106 / from the United States: 011 (44) 1253-501106 Fax: 028-9068-1301 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9068-1301 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• To enter the United Kingdom, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.
• Starting June 2019, U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates upon arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK’s Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
• If you are planning onward travel after departing the UK, note that many other countries require at least six months’ remaining validity on your passport to enter. If you are bound for Continental Europe, please see our  U.S. travelers in Europe page for additional details.
• Visas for specific categories of visitors must be obtained prior to travel. Visit the  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to determine if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. We cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a UK visa, nor can we advocate for your admission into the UK if you are denied entry.
• Students and prospective students should visit the  UKVI website  to determine if they need a visa.
• For some U.S. travelers, especially students, an entry stamp is required.  Please consult this website  for more information.
• Unpaid and paid workers, interns, volunteers, charity workers, and temporary workers can find information about obtaining a visa on the  UKVI website .
• Visitors traveling to the United Kingdom to get married, even if they do not plan to reside there, must obtain a visa in advance. See the  UKVI website  for visa information.
• Surcharges apply to certain categories of visas, generally those involving work, study, or residency for more than six months. More information is available on the  UKVI website  and in our Health section below.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the United Kingdom.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. The UK Security Service publishes specific reasons for any changes in the threat level and recommended actions for the public via its  UK threat levels website .

There is the potential for  isolated violence  related to the political situation in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland assesses there is a continued threat of violence from dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets, and may involve the use of  firearms  and  explosives . Tensions may be heightened during the summer marching season (April to August), particularly on and around the July 12 public holiday.

Avoid areas of demonstrations  if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of demonstrations. Demonstrations occur frequently in and around city centers and areas where tourists frequent. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence.

The phone number for  police/fire/ambulance emergency services  is  999  in the United Kingdom and  112  in Gibraltar. You should also use these numbers to report security threats or suspicious packages. Also see information for  contacting police from abroad .

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Be vigilant, as  pickpocketing ,  mugging,  and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry can occur.
• Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies, and parked cars.
• Be alert to other criminal schemes, such as  impostors  posing as undercover police officers and “fining” tourists for bogus minor offenses. A legitimate Metropolitan Police Services officer will never demand an immediate cash payment.
• Use only licensed Black Cabs or pre-ordered car services (minicabs) . Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but in some instances, travelers have been  robbed  or  sexually assaulted  while using these cars. See Transport for London for additional information on cabs and car services .
• Avoid using ATMs that look temporary in structure or location  or are located in isolated areas – they may not be legitimate. Use ATMs located inside a bank branch.

Scams : Before sending any money to individuals you have never met in person, visit the  Embassy London website  for more information about  internet financial scams  and how to protect yourself.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Report crimes to the local police at 999 (United Kingdom) or 112 (Gibraltar) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(44) (20) 7499-9000.

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim compensation programs in the United States
• The Victim Support website  is maintained by an independent UK charity to help people cope with the effects of crime
• A Northern Ireland-based independent charity maintains a similar  victim support website
• In Scotland, victims of crime should contact  Victim Support Scotland
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support if you are destitute
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You will be arrested if you bring pocket knives, blades, mace or pepper spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the United Kingdom . Please refer to the UK government publication  Travelling to the UK , which details the items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the United Kingdom.
• Penalties against  alcohol-related  and other  in-flight  crimes committed aboard aircraft to and from the United Kingdom are stiff and are enforced with  prison sentences . Please also see  our information on U.S. customs regulations  covering your return to the United States.
• Controlled Substances: UK law prohibits possession and trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including some substances that may be legal to possess under the law of certain U.S. states. More information on controlled substances is available here . Individuals who violate UK drug laws may face penalties including fines or prison sentences.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained in the United Kingdom, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances:

• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
• The United Kingdom has very strict gun control laws, and importing firearms is extremely complicated.  Information on applying for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate can be found on the  London Metropolitan Police Firearms licensing webpage .  Licenses from England or Wales may not be valid in Scotland; please check with the appropriate authorities.  For firearms certificates for Scotland, please check with  Police Scotland .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Carry  prescription medication  in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Traveling with sufficient supplies to last the duration of your trip is recommended. Mailing prescriptions is prohibitive and may be delayed or rejected by British customs.

Certain prescriptions available in the United States are classified as a "controlled drug"  in the United Kingdom and cannot be brought into the country without applying for and obtaining a prior license. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana or products containing CBD and THC.  Please visit the https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs for additional information. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended for international travel by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States.

• In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left.  Read the  Highway Code  before driving.
• Emergency call boxes  (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) are found at half-mile intervals along motorways. White and blue poles point in the direction of the nearest call box. Call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. Use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know your exact location.
• Generally,  pedestrians do not have the right of way  and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.

Many U.S. citizen pedestrians are injured, some fatally, every year in the United Kingdom, because they forget that oncoming  traffic approaches from the opposite direction  than in the United States.  Exercise extra care when crossing streets; remain alert and look both ways before stepping into the street.

Traffic Laws: 

• UK penalties for driving under the influence of  alcohol  or  drugs  are strict and often  result in prison sentences .
• Using a  hand-held cell phone  or similar device while driving is  illegal  in the United Kingdom. Only hands-free phones may be used. You will be  fined , or in the case of an accident,  arrested  and serve time in  prison .
• The speed limit on highways/motorways in the United Kingdom is 70 mph, or lower when posted.
• You will be  detained  and  arrested  if you cannot provide a UK address to receive a subpoena or are about to depart the United Kingdom and have to be brought to court quickly for a motoring offense.
• In Central London, a congestion charge is levied on all drivers who pass through the congestion zone. You will be  fined  or  arrested  if you do not pay the charge. See  Transport for London  for more information about driving in London.

Public Transportation:  Public transport in the United Kingdom is extensive.

• Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the  Transport for London  website.
• Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the  National Rail Enquiries  website.
• Bus and train service information in Northern Ireland can be found on the  Translink  website.
• Bus and train service information in Scotland can be found on the  Traveline Scotland  website.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. For specific information concerning UK driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to the  UK Department for Transport  website or the  Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency  website.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of United Kingdom’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to the United Kingdom should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in the United Kingdom . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

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Everything you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

Do you need a visa to travel to the EU after Brexit? Here’s how the rules are looking in 2024

Way back in 2020, the UK left the EU and Brexit took effect. Since then, a hell of a lot has changed about how we travel. There’s now plenty of extra stuff to think about when planning a trip overseas to Europe (especially if it’s for longer periods). So, we ’ve rounded up all the changes to the rules that we’ll have to follow, now that we’re no longer EU citizens. Here is everything you need to know.

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You should probably check your passport

Up until January 2021, all UK citizens with a valid passport were able to travel freely throughout Europe. Now, though, you may need to renew your passport much earlier than you might think. On the day you travel, your passport must have at least six months left before it expires, or you might not be able to travel to any EU countries, or the EEA states of Iceland , Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland . (The old rules still apply for travel to Ireland.)

You can check if you need to renew your passport before travelling using this tool from the British government, and you can apply for a new one here . Make sure you renew it at least a couple of months before you’re planning to travel, as it may take several weeks to process applications in busy times (including right now).

You can no longer apply for an EHIC

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will remain valid until its expiry date, but you can no longer apply for a new one. In 2021, the UK government launched a replacement scheme, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) , which will entitle you to necessary state healthcare for free or at reduced cost in Europe and other countries with reciprocal arrangements such as Australia and New Zealand . You can apply for one on the official GHIC website .

Free mobile roaming is a thing of the past

The guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the EU, the Schengen area and the Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein, came to an end on December 31, 2020. It ’s best to c heck with your phone operator to find out about any charges you may incur in the country you’re travelling to.

Border checks may feel a little different

At border control, you will now need to use separate lanes from EU citizens when queuing. Officials may also be more inquisitive than before, asking you to provide a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for the length of your initial stay.

Your driving licence will still be valid – but you’ll need a ‘green card’ proving you have insurance too

Despite reports British drivers would soon have to apply for an ‘international driving permit’ before travelling to the Continent, according to the terms of the Brexit deal, UK licences will still be valid within the EU.

According to this advice by the Foreign Office , you do not need a ‘green card’ (proving you have car insurance cover when driving abroad) when driving in the EU. However, countries where they do apply include Albania, Azerbijan, Moldova, Türkiye and Ukraine. 

Visas are now required for longer stays

If you’re a tourist, you won’t need a visa for short trips to most EU and EEA countries. You will be able to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay for longer than 90 days, or if you ’re working,  you will have to get a visa or travel permit.

The EU has set up this short-term stay visa calculator to help travellers calculate how much longer they can stay in Europe. Visit the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s ‘travel advice’ pages  to find out the application process for each country.

The rules for Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus and Romania will be different (this is because they aren ’t in the Schengen area ): visits to those four countries will not count towards the 90-day total. 

These arrangements are up to date as of January 2024. They may change, so check back soon for the latest updates on travel to Europe.

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How many months do I need on my passport to travel?

Everything you need to know about passport validity — and which destinations demand what.

H aving a valid passport is essential for international travel, but countries have different rules around when a passport expires — and it’s not necessarily the date shown on your document. Following Brexit , for example, UK passport holders now need to have a passport that’s less than ten years old when they enter an EU member state, with an expiry date that’s at least three months after the day they leave.

For some destinations, a valid passport isn’t the only requirement — you may also need to have full blank pages for visa and entry and exit stamps. Here’s everything you need to know, including the entry requirements for some of the most popular destinations for British travellers.

Main photo: wherever you’re going, check the passport requirements (Alamy)

Popular destinations

• Spain : passport must be less than ten years old when you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you leave

• Greece : less than ten years old when you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you leave

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• France : less than ten years old when you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you leave

• Italy : less than ten years old when you enter the country and valid for at least three months after the day you leave

• US : passport must be valid for duration of stay, no additional validity required

Less than three months needed

• Argentina : passport must be valid for duration of stay

• Australia : valid for duration of stay

• Barbados : valid for duration of stay

• Bermuda : valid for duration of stay

• Canada : valid for duration of stay

• Chile : valid for duration of stay

• Cuba : valid for two months after departure

• Japan : valid for duration of stay

• Jamaica : valid for duration of stay

• Mexico : valid for duration of stay.

• Morocco : valid for duration of stay but three additional months is advisable

• Seychelles : valid for duration of stay

• St Lucia : valid for duration of stay

• Tunisia: valid for duration of stay

Three months needed

• EU countries ( Austria , Belgium , Bulgaria, Croatia , Cyprus , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia, Finland , France , Germany, Greece , Hungary , Ireland , Italy , Latvia , Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta , Netherlands , Poland , Portugal , Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia , Spain and Sweden ): passport must be valid from day after departure and less than ten years old

• Iceland : passport must be valid from day after departure and less than ten years old

• New Zealand : from arrival

• Norway : from day after departure and less than ten years old

• Switzerland : from day after departure and less than ten years old

Six months needed

• Anguilla : passport must be valid for six months from arrival

• Antigua and Barbuda: from arrival

• Bahamas : from departure

• Belize : from arrival

• Brazil : from arrival

• Bolivia: from arrival

• China : from arrival

• Colombia : from arrival

• Dominican Republic : from arrival

• Indonesia : from arrival

• Israel : from arrival

• Egypt : from arrival

• Grenada : from arrival

• Jordan : from arrival

• Malaysia : from arrival

• Maldives : from arrival

• Peru : from arrival

• Qatar : from arrival

• Singapore : from arrival

• Sri Lanka : from arrival

• Taiwan: from arrival

• Thailand : from arrival

• UAE : from arrival

• Vietnam : from arrival

How much do passports cost?

• Online applications made from within the UK cost £82.50 for adults and £53.50 for children

• Postal applications cost £93 for adults and £64 for children

Which countries require blank pages in your passport?

Some countries require full blank pages for visas on arrival as well as entry and exit stamps. In some cases, these blank pages need to be consecutive. Double check with the embassy before you travel.

• India : passport must be valid 180 days from visa application and arrival, and contain two blank pages

• Kenya : valid six months from arrival, plus two blank pages

• Mauritius : valid for duration of stay, plus a blank page

• Namibia : valid six months from arrival, plus a blank page

• Rwanda: valid six months from arrival, plus a blank page

• Turkey : valid six months from arrival, plus a blank page

• South Africa : valid for six months from arrival and 30 days on departure, plus two blank pages

How do I find out how long I need on my passport?

The Foreign Office has a full list of entry requirements for different countries, including passport validity. It assumes you are travelling on a full, standard British passport. If you have a passport issued from a British Overseas Territory, the entry requirements may be different for some destinations. You should also double check details with the embassy of the country you’re visiting.

What’s the minimum passport validity to enter the UK?

The UK government requires visitors from other countries to have a passport (or other valid ID if from EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) that is valid for the duration of their stay. No additional validity is required.

How do I get a new passport if I need one?

You can apply for a new passport online via the government’s website. It costs £82.50 for a standard adult passport (valid 10 years), or £53.50 for a child under 16 (valid five years), and you’ll need a credit or debit card for this. Alternatively you can apply for one through the post; the forms for postal applications are available through the Post Office and it costs £93 for an adult or £64 for a child.

You’ll need to send in certain documents which usually include a birth certificate if it’s your first passport, or your previous passport if you’re renewing. The requirements vary according to your circumstances but the application form will tell you what you need.

• Most powerful passports in the world

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Why UK passport holders need to check the issue date of their passports before travelling to the EU

By Jenny Southan

Did you know that the expiry date on burgundy British passports might be meaningless when travelling to EU countries (except Ireland ) or Schengen zone countries such as Switzerland , Norway and Iceland ? This is because since Brexit, British passports cannot be more than 10 years old when used to travel to the EU – which means you need to look at the date the passport was issued , rather than the date it expires. Most people – understandably – assume that an adult passport lasts 10 years, but if your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months might have been added to its expiry date if the previous passport was renewed before it fully expired (the additional months used to be rolled over).

In spite of being a travel journalist, I was caught out by this sneaky rule on a recent trip to France (you can read more on the FCO’s website ). It was ironic because I was aware of it, and then forgot about it. I had completed a trip to the US just the previous week and hadn’t thought twice about a trip to France with my daughter for the Easter holidays because I still have seven months left on my passport – it expires in November 2023 (you need a minimum of three months to travel to the EU). So I checked in online with Easyjet – uploading my passport details as requested – travelled to London Gatwick with my four year old, had our passports checked before dropping off our suitcase , and then proceeded through security.

A couple of hours later we were queuing to board the plane, but when it came to our turn a member of Easyjet staff scanned my passport and it flashed up as “amber” on her screen. She sternly proceeded to tell me that my passport had expired and we wouldn’t be allowed to board. My daughter started crying and begging to be allowed to see her grandparents whom we were supposed to be visiting. The Easyjet representative was unsympathetic – insisting there was no way we could travel and telling me to step away from the gate. I was shocked – it felt like an arbitrary rule. She wouldn’t even acknowledge that it was confusing for flyers and accepted no responsibility on behalf of the airline for not flagging it during the booking or check-in process.

We then had to wait two hours for our suitcase to be returned while they off-loaded it from the plane. Obviously, it’s my own fault – the rule has been in place since January 2021. But I wanted to share my experience because if I can make this mistake, then other people will do so too. And it’s a costly one – flights lost, hotel lost, holiday lost.

To make matters worse, this happened last week – during the first week of the five-week-long HM Passport Office strikes . What this meant was that I was not able to get a new passport quickly enough to travel during the Easter break (I would have booked new flights if I could). Normally you can pay £193.50 to apply for an Online Premium passport that can be collected in two days, or a Fast Track one that takes a week. When I returned home I attempted to get an appointment for an Online Premium premium passport but it took me two days to secure a slot (every time I clicked it said there were no available appointments – same for Fast Track).

After many dozens of attempts, I finally managed to proceed with the application on 6 April, but the soonest appointment I could get was 25 April and I would have to fly to the passport office in Belfast to collect it (I live in London). There were no slots in England available. As I have a business trip to Berlin at the beginning of May , I went ahead with this – paying £250 for flights to Belfast plus another £100 for a hotel. I then realised my daughters’ passport expires in September 2023 and if we wanted to go on holiday abroad this summer , I would need to get one for her too (you can’t use Online Premium for kids – and it costs £126 Fast Track). So far, there are no appointments available.

These are the current rules for British passport holders travelling to the EU and Schengen zone. Your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the “date of issue”)
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave
• You do not need a visa for short trips to the EU or countries in the Schengen area if both of the following apply: you’re staying for 90 days or less in a 180-day period OR you’re visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons

The little-known British passport rule that could cost you your Europe holiday

• European Union
• Friday 21 July 2023 at 7:32pm

By ITV News Content Producer Elisa Menendez

A little-known post- Brexit passport rule change is leaving Brits unable to attend family weddings and holidaymakers out of pocket to the tune of hundreds - and sometimes thousands - of pounds.

Since the UK left the European Union (EU), passport rules for British visitors have tightened up.

But many travellers may still be unaware of the fine-print, and find themselves surprised to be turned away at boarding gates.

Many travellers are aware of the rule that their passport must be valid for at least three months after the date they intend to return home.

But British passport-holders may be unaware of the rule that in order to enter any EU country, their passport validity must not exceed 10 years. Many Brits will have older passports that are valid for up to 10 years and nine months, meaning they could be unwittingly attempting to travel using invalid documents.

With the school summer holidays starting this week, travel experts and business owners are advising travellers to familiarise themselves with the rules and check their passports are valid.

'Get that girl she can't fly'

London-based Anna told ITV News how she went through all the relevant security checks at Luton Airport before she was turned away in the airplane tunnel, seconds before she was about to board her flight.

Anna, who was flying to Croatia on a family holiday earlier in July, had checked the online government guidance in advance and read she needed a minimum of three months left on her passport.

She had seven months to go until the expiry date, so thought she was travelling well within the guidelines.

"Everything was going well. I'd gone through security, I've had my passport checked there, I've gone into departures and I'm boarding," Anna recalled.

"I'm in that tunnel between the boarding gate and the plane, and they said 'get that girl she can't fly'.

"I thought, 'what is happening, am I being arrested?'"

She was told by airline staff her passport had expired and was refused entry to the plane.

"They just escorted me and said 'we're taking your suitcase off the plane, you have to wait three hours and you'll be able to get it'," she said.

"It felt like a dream. It was madness. I couldn't understand what was going on for ages because no one was helping me."

Eventually, after going to the airline's customer service desk and speaking to several members of staff, she was informed her passport was issued 10 years and seven months earlier, meaning she didn't meet the EU requirements to enter Croatia.

"The fact I'd been through security already and my passport had been checked - it's an absolute joke," she added.

Anna headed home and booked the earliest emergency passport appointment she could find, which was three days later in Belfast. After flying to Northern Ireland and back, she was finally able to meet her family in Croatia, five days into the holiday.

"That's just because I was willing to spend the money. A lot of people who aren't in privileged positions wouldn't be able to do so," she pointed out.

Anna has now been left out of pocket to the tune of around £500 after losing her first flight to Croatia, paying for a return flight to Belfast, as well as an overnight stay in the city, an emergency passport appointment and a new flight to Croatia. She cannot get any compensation.

The UK Foreign Office told ITV News its online travel advice sets out the passport requirements for entering the EU - but Anna said its guidelines aren't clear enough.

She placed the blame on the government and airlines for the gap in public knowledge.

"The airline websites and apps should be able to tell you if your passport is valid when you check in online and enter your passport details, that's where they should flag it," she said, adding that a man in front of her in the boarding queue was also stopped for the same reason.

"It's a massive problem. People are getting really caught out."

Andy Hooper, a holiday let business owner in the Dordogne, south west France, has issued a warning to customers to urgently check their passports after some guests fell victim to what he described as the "passport gotcha".

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The business owner - who has run Cottages de Garrigue with partner Neil since 2016 - said since opening for the season in May, two guests have already been forced to miss out on loved ones' weddings.

This week, the father of a groom found out while boarding his flight that his passport was invalid and was turned away by airline staff. He missed his son's wedding, said Andy.

Weeks before, a best man ready to deliver a speech at his friend's wedding was also turned away before boarding his flight. He too couldn't attend the ceremony.

"It's a horrible, horrible thing to happen... holidays are very emotive," Andy said.

"My partner and I talk to our guests and we have over 200 a year... nobody knows about this passport 'gotcha'," he added. "They also don't know that they're being stamped and they're entering the EU on a 90-day visa. They are totally oblivious.

"It's pure luck that more people aren't turned away. It'll only get worse because everybody's passports are getting older."

Andy is also concerned this will start financially affecting his business if people have to cancel full cottage rentals. He also worries more people may begin ditching EU countries, like France, as holiday destinations, in order to get the most out of their passports.

Andy added: "My anger is against the UK Government. They are just letting this ride out. The government isn't talking about it because it's a direct casualty of Brexit."

CEO of TravelSupermarket, Richard Singer, told ITV News: “We are worried that many people are still not aware of the post-Brexit 10-year passport rule.

"You need to check your passport is no older than 10 years old when you travel to the EU, otherwise you could be turned away. It’s an easy thing to miss and not everyone is affected, and those who are, will be impacted at different dates, depending on when your passport was issued.”

What is the 10-year passport rule?

When the UK was a member of the European Union, British passports remained valid up to and including their expiry date for travel to other EU countries.

But post-Brexit, British passport-holders wishing to travel to EU countries in the Schengen Area are treated as non-EU nationals. 

As such, they must meet three key requirements, as outlined on the EU's  Your Europe website :

Passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of travel.

The passport must be valid for at least three months after the day the traveller plans to depart the EU.

British travellers do not need a visa for short stays, however, those staying in the EU or the Schengen area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period must apply for a visa .

Aren't all passports only valid for 10 years?

No. A past UK policy allowed Brits to claim credit on "unspent" time when renewing passports.

This meant people could be issued with a passport that was valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

People who took advantage of this policy could now find themselves caught out if they try to travel more than 10 years after their passport was first issued.

How do I find out if my passport is valid?

Instead of checking only the expiry date, UK passports holders are advised to look at the "issue date" as well as the expiry to find out if their passport is valid.

It may appear that your passport is within date but if it hasn't been issued in the past 10 years you could be stopped from boarding your plane.

According to the government's website, for some Schengen countries, once the three-months-remaining rule is deducted, a passport needs to have been issued no more than nine years and nine months ago.

To be on the safe side, it's best to apply to renew your passport before it is nine years and nine months old.

You should allow up to 10 weeks to receive your passport, so you should apply for it at least 10 weeks before you're due to travel.

Will holiday insurance cover me if I find out my passport is invalid?

Insurance companies and tour providers will not cover passengers who cannot make their trip due to their passport being invalid - even if they were unaware of the 10-year passport rule, according to TravelSupermarket.

"If, for whatever reason, you still don’t have your application by your departure date, unfortunately you can’t claim for flight or other holiday costs on your travel insurance," the travel company told ITV News.

"Neither can you claim compensation from the Home Office. And airlines and tour operators are equally unsympathetic about out-of-date documents, so you’re highly unlikely to receive anything from them.

"Remember: it’s your responsibility to ensure your passport is up to date. With travellers rushing to sort out their passports in time for summer, it makes good sense to apply as early as possible to renew your documentation."

An FCDO spokesperson said: "Following the end of the transition period, we ran a campaign to help British travellers prepare for changes when visiting Europe, including on passport rules.

“FCDO online travel advice for EU countries sets out the requirements and is kept under constant review to ensure British travellers have accurate information to help plan their trip."

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New travel rules Brits need to know in 2024 – from tourist tax to airport liquids

• Published : 9:00, 1 Jan 2024
• Updated : 13:19, 1 Jan 2024

BRITS who have their sights set on a foreign getaway in the coming year should take note of a fresh set of travel regulations. 

Those who don’t take the new guidelines could face disrupted travel plans and a dent in their finances. 

Here are some of the changes you can expect 2024 to bring and what you need to do before jetting off.

Airports - 100ml liquid rule scrapped

Airports across the UK are in the process of installing new scanners that will scrap the need to have liquids under 100ml .

Smaller airports such as London City and Teeside have already ditched the rules.

However, the government has set a June 2024 deadline for all UK airports to install the machines, with larger airports such as London Heathrow to follow.

Read more on travel rules

Frustrating travel rule that has divided flight attendants

Families face missing their summer hols abroad due to little-known travel rules

Brits will also need to check the rules of the country they are returning from, as this is only in place for outbound UK flights.

Europe - increased tourist tax

If you're planning to visit Amsterdam next year, it's going to cost you more. 

The city is increasing its tourist tax on hotel rooms from seven per cent to 12.5 per cent in 2024, which will be the highest in Europe when it goes live. 

This extra charge applies to people staying in hotels , short-term rentals, guesthouses and even those arriving on cruise ships.

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With the increase to 12.5 per cent, if you're staying in a hotel with an average room rate of £150 per person, you'll pay £18.75 per night in taxes, up from £10.50.

For comparison’s sake, popular Paris charges £3.50 per person per night. 

Barcelona is to increase their tourist tax too.

Holidaymakers currently pay a maximum nightly charge of €2.75 (£2.40) but this will rise to €3.25 (£2.80) from April 2024.

And from spring 2024, Venice  is to trial charging day-trippers €5 to visit.

Ongoing rules - passport validity and ESTA restrictions

Brits who have been to Cuba anytime after January 2021 are unable to apply for an ESTA. 

Instead, they must apply for a tourist visa to visit the US, which is a much lengthier and more expensive process, costing around £143. It also requires an interview in London , where it can still be declined.

While this was introduced in 2023, some British travellers are still getting stung because they aren’t aware of the new rule.

And as always, the ongoing rules apply for soon-to-be-expired passports for Brits heading abroad.

Your passport issue date has to be less than 10 years before the day of arrival in the EU.

If travelling to Europe, the passport expiry date must be at least three months after the intended day of departure.

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For trips to the US, the country requires that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the proposed stay in the States.

If your passport is damaged, both the US and EU recommend obtaining a new one before applying for any visas to “avoid any delay in the processing of your application”.

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Passport fees to go up in price tomorrow – here’s how to save money

• Hope Brotherton , Travel Reporter
• Published : 9:58, 10 Apr 2024
• Updated : 14:18, 10 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

BRITS who need a new passport will be forced to pay more from tomorrow.

Passport  applications will go up in price for the second year running.

The Home Office announced the seven per cent price hike last month.

Passport application fees will rise from tomorrow, April 11, with standard online applications increasing from £82.50 to £88.50.

Meanwhile, new passports for children will rise by £4 from £53.50 to £57.50.

This means a family of four could be forced to pay an extra £20 if they need to update all of their passports at the same time - paying £292 rather than £272.

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Postal applications, and applications made from overseas, which are more expensive than online, are also going to cost more.

Adult paper applications  will go up from £93 to £100, while kids will go from £64 to £69.

A family of four will pay an additional £24, if they decide to make an application on paper.

We've explained  how to renew your passport here .

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Despite being more expensive, a recent investigation found that as many as 850,000 people applied for a  passport via a paper application  last year.

Helen Knapman,  news  and investigations editor at  MoneySavingExpert.com , said: "Our research shows nearly 850,000 people missed out on an estimated £9 million in savings last year because they used a paper form when applying for their passport.

"If you can do it online, or if you can get someone to help, the cheapest way to get a new passport is still to apply directly through Gov.uk.

"[This is] whether it's your first one, you're renewing an old one or changing your personal details."

Last month, the Home Office said: "The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

"The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

"The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen  passports , and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

"The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services."

Passport fees rose by nine per cen t last year, marking the first uptick in passport prices for five years.

Other passport rules

Even if your passport isn't ready to be renewed, it could be worth applying for a new one before the price hike comes into force tomorrow.

This is because of a  number of new rules  in place for Brits travelling abroad.

For example, your passport cannot be  more than 10 years old  - any months previously rolled over are no longer accepted.

In recent years, several  holidaymakers have been denied boarding  because their passports were more than 10 years old.

Last year, Rosi Simpson, a teacher  from Brighton , was prevented from boarding her flight to Paris to see her son because of the rule.

Brit holidaymakers also need to have at least three months left on their passport to travel to European destinations.

Another rule Brits aren't aware of is needing to have  blank pages left in a passport.

Countries like  Turkey  require at least one fully empty page, while South Africa requires two blank pages.

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New passport fees from april 11.

The cost of applying for a UK passport is set to rise tomorrow.

• Online adult passport applications - £88.50 (was £82.50)
• Online kids passport applications - £57.50 (was £53.30)
• Postal adults passport applications - £100 (was £93)
• Postal kids passport applications - £69 (£64)

Meanwhile, this lucky traveller managed to get  a new passport  within 12 hours after he was kicked off a flight.

Here is how to get a  fast-track passport renewal .

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How much does a UK passport cost – after second price rise in 14 months

A 7 per cent jump in cost follows a 9 per cent increase last year, article bookmarked.

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The price of passports in the UK has gone up from today (11 April), the second jump in cost in 14 months – leaving many questioning the steep increase in fees.

A new or renewed adult passport when applied for online has risen 7 per cent, from £82.50 to £88.50. This follows a 9 per cent prise rise in February 2023.

The cost of applying online for a child’s passport online has also gone up, from £53.50 to £57.50.

A postal application for an adult passport is now £100 (up from £93), with an increase to £69 from £64 for a child.

Costs are even higher if you apply from overseas or require a passport urgently. However, the travel documents are free for people born on or before 2 September 1929.

The UK passport is among the most expensive in Europe , with only Italy , Denmark and Switzerland charging more.

In comparison, a Spanish passport application costs £25, while in Germany it’s £60.

Prior to last year’s rise, the cost to apply for a passport had remained the same for five years, with a standard adult online application costing £75.50.

Martyn James, a consumer rights campaigner, told BBC News that “just because a business or organisation can raise prices doesn’t mean they should”, adding that “many users will question what they are getting for their money”.

The government says that it does not make a profit from passport applications, insisting that “the new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation”.

“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.”

According to the private website PassportWaitingTime.co.uk , standard online renewals are currently taking nine days from application.

HM Passport Office says: “You’ll usually get your passport within three weeks. It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you. We’ll tell you this within three weeks. There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country.”

When the world’s most expensive passports were revealed last year, the UK in 12 th place.

Australia topped the list of countries charging the most, with an adult passport costing citizens £192.

On a separate issue, travellers heading to EU countries (and the wider Schengen area) are being warned to be aware of the post-Brexit rules that require British passports to have been issued with the previous 10 years – even if they are still valid.

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Cost of UK passports to rise for second time in 14 months to up to £100

Fee rises by 7% to £88.50 for adult online application, while applying by post will cost £100

The cost of a new or renewed UK passport is going up again for the second time in 14 months – rising by 7% to £88.50 for an adult online application from Thursday.

Thursday’s rise follows a 9% price hike to £82.50 in February last year. Before that increase, passport fees had not changed for five years and a standard adult online application cost £75.50, or £13 cheaper than this week’s new price.

Children’s passports will also cost more from Thursday, going up from £53.50 to £57.50 for an online application.

For those applying for the travel documents via a paper form sent in by post, there is an even greater increase, from £93 to £100 for an adult passport and £64 to £69 for a child. Passports are free for people born on or before 2 September 1929.

Which? said the increases may come as a shock to people due to renew these documents. Guy Hobbs, a travel expert at the group, told consumers on Wednesday that if they needed to renew their passport “today is your last opportunity to beat the price hikes”.

Hobbs said: “While these latest price rises may well reflect rising production or processing costs, the UK passport is now amongst the priciest in Europe – and travellers due to renew will likely be shocked by how much these little blue books now cost.

“Travellers should also be aware that from mid-2025 they will need to pay for an Etias [The European Travel Information and Authorisation System] to enter Europe.”

Etias, which is modelled on the US Esta scheme, means non-EU travellers will have to fill in a form and pay €7 (£6) before entering Europe’s passport-free zone. The fee will apply to everyone aged between 18 and 70 and is valid for multiple visits over three years. In most cases, approval is expected to be granted within minutes.

Delays caused by the pandemic meant that 360,000 customers had to wait more than 10 weeks to get their passports in the first nine months of 2022, according to the National Audit Office.

Passengers travelling to Europe are also being warned to watch out for changes that mean their passport could also be invalid even when it appears to be in date. Before Brexit, UK passport holders could travel in and out of the EU if they held a valid passport, even one that expired the day after their return.

However, now UK passport holders travelling to any EU country (except Ireland), plus the others in the Schengen area, could be denied boarding if their passport expires less than three months after their return date.

Post-Brexit rules also mean that EU countries no longer accept passports issued more than 10 years ago .

UK passports issued before September 2018 can have up to nine months added to the 10 years when they are renewed. This means some British travellers have been told they cannot enter the EU even though their passport has more than three months before the printed expiry date, because the document was issued more than 10 years ago.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The British passport is an invaluable document that allows millions of citizens to travel around the world.

“We are increasing the cost of applying for a passport to enable us to keep investing in our efficient and secure passport services and keep improving the quality of service British travellers expect.”

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Applying for a passport from outside the UK: guidance notes (accessible)

Updated 18 May 2022

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Please don’t book travel until you’ve received your new passport, as we can’t accept responsibility for any travel that you book. To avoid delays, we’ll need a fully completed form, 2 suitable photos, the right documents and fee.

• This guidance is for British applicants from certain countries applying for a passport from outside the UK, using the OS application form.
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Additional support is available for anyone who has a disability. Find out more about the services we offer and how to access them at www.gov.uk/passport-services-disabled

Top tips before you fill in your form

• Complete your paper form in CAPITAL LETTERS and BLACK BIRO only.
• Don’t write outside the white boxes or outside the signature borders.

If you make a mistake, cross it out. Don’t use correction fluid. If you make more than 3 mistakes on any line or don’t provide a clear signature in sections 6 or 9, you will need to fill out a new form.

If your form needs countersigning, your countersignatory must also write in the white boxes and sign within the signature box at section 10.

Section 1: Which type of passport do you need and sections to complete

Read the information in this section to find out which type of passport you need to apply for and what sections you need to fill in. There are 5 different types of application.

• The Child box is for under 16s
• The Adult box is for those 16 or over and those turning 16 within the next 3 weeks
• Adult passports are normally valid for 10 years and child passports are normally valid for 5 years

This applies if:

• your existing British passport isn’t damaged AND
• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, appearance and nationality hasn’t changed AND
• you aren’t renewing a passport that is handwritten. If you are renewing a handwritten passport, see First British Passport

Section 10 must be completed for:

• all children aged 11 or under
• everyone who is not recognisable from their previous passport photo.

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section .

Sections to complete

First british passport.

This applies if you:

• have never had a British passport before
• were included as a child on someone else’s passport
• are renewing a passport that is handwritten
• have become a British national by naturalisation or registration

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications.

Replacement

• you want to replace a British passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section

This applies if you want to change your current British passport. You’re changing:

• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender or nationality
• your photo (including where you cannot be recognised from your current passport photo)

This applies if your last passport was issued for one year or less.

Need a 50-page frequent traveller passport?

A standard passport is 34 pages. If you are a frequent traveller and need extra space for visas, select ‘50-page passport’ on the application form. 50-page frequent traveller passports cost more than a 34-page passport.

Need a Braille sticker on your new passport?

If you or the applicant has eyesight difficulties and need a Braille sticker put on the new passport, put a ‘X’ in the ‘Braille’ box.

Section 2: Who is the passport for?

• The name you enter on the form should fully match your previous British passport or the documents you send us. For example your birth or adoption certificate, marriage certificate, nationality certificate.
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us your full name.

Names to be shown on your passport

• We can add a limited number of titles to your British passport if you ask. See GOV.UK for details .
• Please give the name of the person who the passport is for under ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’
• The name that is shown on the passport should be the name that you use for all purposes – that is, the name on your new passport should match the name that appears on your supporting documents (such as your birth certificate or previous passport). If you’re a dual national and hold a non-British passport in a different name, you must change it to match the name you want on your British passport. You must do this before you make your application.
• We can only show up to 30 characters (including spaces) on your passport for first and middle names and a further 30 characters for surnames. If your names don’t fit in the boxes provided, shorten them in a way you would want them to be shown on your passport. You should then write your full name in section 8 of the form. We will add your full name on the observation page in your passport.
• If you have changed your name, enter your name as it is now.

Change of name in passport

• If you are changing your name, put your new name in the ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’ boxes and put your previous names in the ‘maiden or all previous names’ boxes.
• If you no longer want your middle name to be included in your new passport when it has been on previous passports, tell us in section 8 of the application form and provide evidence of the change. See the change of name table for details. If you don’t, we will add your name to match what is in your previous passport.
• If you spell your name differently, change the order of your names or add a new name compared to what is in your previous passport, then you will need to provide evidence of the name change. See the change of name table for more details.
• Provide proof of your change of name if this is different from your supporting documents. Send proof to support every name change. This applies if you are getting married or forming a civil partnership and you want your passport to be in your new name. See the change of name table for more details.
• List all of your maiden or previous names that you have been known by (surname first then first and middle names). Leave a space between each name. If they won’t fit in the boxes, you should write them in full in section 8.
• You cannot change a child’s name unless you have the permission of everyone who has parental responsibility for the child. Please see section 9 on parental responsibility for more information.

Current address

• Give your full residential address (where you live) including state or province, and postcode (where applicable).
• We may check you live at the address you give. If you don’t, it may delay your application unless you explain the circumstances in section 8 of the form.
• We won’t normally return your passport to an address that is different from your current address. If you want it delivered to a different address, please explain why and give the other address in section 8. We may contact you for evidence of your connection to that address.
• If you live in a country where we deliver directly to your address please ensure there is someone available to sign for receipt of the passport and documents.
• Put a cross in the relevant box to say whether the person the passport is for is male or female.
• If you are transgender (live as a different gender to that shown on your birth certificate) or if you have changed or are in the process of changing your gender, you can get more guidance at www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

Date of birth

• Give your date of birth as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport

Place of birth

• Give the names of the town and country you were born in as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport.

Contact details

We recommend you give us a mobile phone number, so we can send you a text message when we receive your form and when your passport is being printed. Our courier may also use it to help deliver your passport faster.

• Please give as many contact details as possible and make sure the information is accurate as we may need to contact you about your application. If you don’t include an email address and mobile phone number, it may delay your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed in your spam folder, check your spam or junk folder regularly, or adjust your spam filter settings.
• We will contact you on your mobile phone number if we have any queries about delivery.

Section 3: Details of previous and current passports held

Everyone must fill in section 3A.

Uncancelled passports

In part B, enter details of all uncancelled passports that you are sending us. A British cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner of the cover cut off. An uncancelled passport has not been cancelled by its issuing authority (British or another country). This may include:

• an expired passport (one that has run out)
• passports you are or were included on (for example, as a child), and
• passports issued to you by other countries

Lost or stolen

We strongly recommend you report your passport as lost or stolen as soon as possible to prevent someone misusing your passport and your identity. Do this online at www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport . You can ask a trusted friend or relative to help you. The sooner you report it, the sooner you will be protected against the passport being misused. If your passport has been lost or stolen, but you haven’t reported it yet, fill in part C. Give us as many details as you can and tell us how the passport was lost or stolen. Please use section 8 if there is not enough space in the boxes provided. If your passport was stolen, report the theft to the local police and include the crime reference number at section 8. We will cancel your lost or stolen passport when we receive your application. If you later find the passport which you reported lost or stolen, you must return it to us. You will no longer be able to use the passport. You may be held by the immigration authorities or the police if you try to do so. For security reasons, any passport which is found should be returned to us or to a third party such as the Police so it can be returned to us for cancellation.

Section 4: Parent’s details

You need to fill in this section if:

• the passport is for someone under 16
• you are applying for your first adult passport
• you are applying to replace a passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged
• you are applying to extend your passport

Give all the details for both parents of the person named at section 2 of the application form.

For nationality purposes parents are defined in law as ‘mother’ and ‘father’. Nationality by birth cannot always be gained through either parent’s national status. This includes parents who are of the same sex. Because of this, it is important that the ‘mother’ and ‘father’ are entered in the correct boxes.

If either parent was born on or after 1 January 1983, or were born outside the UK, please give the following details in section 8 of the application form. Either:

• the full name, town, country of birth and date of marriage of your mother’s or parent 1’s parents and your father’s or parent 2’s parents, or
• details of your parents’ claim to British nationality.

If your ‘mother’ is married to someone else (not your biological father) at the time of your birth your ‘biological father’ is not your ‘father’ for nationality purposes. Please see gov.uk for more information.

Step-parents and others taking a parental role that are not defined as either a ‘mother’ or a ‘father’ for nationality purposes must not fill in their details in section 4.

When a child is adopted in the UK, British nationality can be gained through either parent. If adoptive parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’ regardless of sex

Children conceived through sperm donation

If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born in the UK, you should complete the form in the normal way. You do not need to tell us your child was conceived through sperm donation. If the parents are of the same sex, the mother who gave birth should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the child’s birth certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born outside the UK see GOV.UK for information on what documents you’ll need to send.

When a child is born of a surrogacy arrangement and a parental order has been granted in the UK after 6 April 2010, nationality can be taken through either parent named on the order. Where these parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. Where a child is born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement outside the UK to a man and a woman and a passport is being sought before a parental order has been granted, the child may have an automatic claim to British nationality as long as:

(a) the child is biologically related to the British father and,

(b) the British father is not British by descent and,

(c) the birth mother is not married at the time of the birth.

If the child is biologically related to the father but he is British by descent and/or the birth mother is married at the time of the birth, the commissioning surrogate parents must seek to register the child as a British Citizen before applying for a passport for the child. The child will not be British until this step is taken. For further information on entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/surrogacy-overseas

It may be possible to apply for a passport before a parental order has been granted. Passport applications involving surrogacy are often highly complex and we may need to ask for further documentation or to talk to you in person after you have sent us your application. Please allow a lot more time than our average processing times or such applications to be processed – we recommend submitting an application involving surrogacy at least 4 months before you need the passport. We are not in a position to guarantee a specific processing time for these cases.

No mention of parent’s details or ‘mother or parent 1’ and ‘father or parent 2’ will appear on the passport. This information is used simply to gather the information we need to issue a passport.

Child with one parent

If you are the only parent of your child, fill in either the ‘Mother or Parent 1’ or ‘Father or Parent 2’ sections of the form, whichever applies to you and leave the spaces for an additional parent blank. Add a note in section 8 to show that you are the only parent and why (whether you do not know the other parent of the child, are an individual adopter, or an individual parent whose child was conceived through sperm donation and so on).

For more information on the circumstances in which nationality is decided please visit GOV.UK

Section 5: Certificate of registration or naturalisation

• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are applying for your first British passport
• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are changing your national status to British citizen
• Don’t include birth/adoption certificate or passport details in this section

The ‘No’ box applies if the person named in section 2 has not applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. A registration or naturalisation certificate is only issued by the Home Office when the applicant has satisfied all legislation requirements. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘No’ box. The Yes box applies if the person named in section 2 applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. If the Home Office granted British citizenship the Home Office will have issued a certificate of registration or naturalisation. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘Yes’ box and give certificate details.

Section 6: Children aged 12 to 15

A child aged 12 to 15, or a child who will turn 12 within the next 3 weeks, needs to sign this declaration.

A date must be put in the date section. A person with parental responsibility must sign the declaration at section 9 of the form.

If your child is not able to sign the form, you should:

• leave this section blank, and
• use section 8 or send a covering letter confirming why the child cannot sign. This can be written by the parent or the child’s carer or doctor.

Don’t write in this section. This area is intentionally blank.

Section 8: More information

Most people don’t need to fill in this section. The sections below show when you should give us extra information using this section.

• Names that you were not able to fit in the boxes in section 2.
• If you have changed your name as a result of getting married, but you want to continue to use your maiden name for professional purposes, you should make a statement in section 8 of the application form and we will add a note on the observation page of your passport showing your maiden name.
• to keep an observation in your new passport.
• Tell us why you need to have your passport sent to another address and give us the other address

Damaged passport

• If your passport is damaged, explain briefly how it was damaged.

Parental responsibility

• You must disclose and give us any court orders relating to the child, which might impact the passport application.

If you have a disability

• If you have a disability that means you can’t meet the passport photo requirements. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary disability.
• If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary condition.
• If a signature could not be provided in section 6 or 9, tell us in section 8 and include a letter of explanation from an appropriate person such as a parent (for section 6) or a doctor, carer or social worker. They will need to sign the application on your behalf.
• Your Typetalk phone number or your preferred method of communication if you are blind or partially sighted (for example, by phone or in large print).

Grandparents and surrogacy details

• Grandparents’ details if both parents named in section 4 were born after 1 January 1983 or were born abroad.
• If the applicant was born of a surrogacy arrangement.

Note: Please give full name(s), date of birth, and place of birth in addition to any British passport details; for example a British passport number and its place of issue. If grandparents were ever married, we will also need to know their date of marriage for nationality purposes

British National (Overseas) passport

If you are applying for a British National (Overseas) Passport you should enter the number of your Hong Kong permanent identity card and enclose a colour photocopy with your application.

Section 9: Declaration

• Before you fill in and sign the declaration, read the form again to make sure that the information you have given is correct.
• your own passport
• a passport for the child named in section 2
• someone who cannot sign, and you are signing on their behalf.
• Read points 1 to 9 in the declaration section of the form before you sign and date the form
• If you are applying for a child, give your full name and relationship to the child

People applying aged 16 and over If you are 16 and over, or you will turn 16 within 3 weeks, sign the declaration yourself. You don’t need permission from a person with parental responsibility. Your ‘adult’ passport can’t be issued before you turn 16.

For applicants with a learning disability who cannot understand the consequences of signing the declaration in section 9, someone with parental responsibility should give their permission. Please use section 8 of the form to explain why the applicant cannot sign the declaration.

A child under 16 must have permission from a person with parental responsibility. The mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth, and can give permission, providing the court has not taken parental responsibility away.

The father can give permission if he:

• was married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth (or, for those living in Scotland, when the mother became pregnant)
• was married to the mother at any time after the child’s birth
• has a parental responsibility order or agreement (which must be sent with the application)
• has a child arrangements order which grants parental responsibility (this must be sent with the application), or
• is named on the birth certificate (this must be sent with the application) and the birth was jointly registered on or after: − 15 April 2002 in Northern Ireland − 1 December 2003 in England and Wales, or − 4 May 2006 in Scotland.

For children born to female same-sex partners who conceived through sperm donation, the second female parent can give permission if she:

• was married or in a civil partnership at the time of the child’s conception and consented to the conception

If the child’s parent is under 16 , they can sign the declaration on behalf of the child.

If a child has been adopted , either adoptive parent can give permission.

If parents are divorced , a child arrangements order or maintenance order will not automatically take away the parent’s parental responsibility.

If a child has been born of a surrogacy arrangement , either parent named on the parental order or birth certificate can give permission. If the application is made before the parental order is granted, the rules are more complex. Please contact us for guidance if this applies to you.

Step-parents (adults who enter into a marriage or civil partnership with someone who is already defined as a parent as explained above) can give permission, only if they have parental responsibility by a parental responsibility order, a child arrangements order giving parental responsibility or parental responsibility agreement.

If the child is in care or is living with foster parents , we will need permission from the local authority before we can issue a passport to the child. For separate guidance notes for social services, please visit www.gov.uk/ government/publications

If the court has made an order about who the child should live with, or about the child having a passport, this must be sent in with the application. If someone has made an objection to the child having the passport, we may refuse to issue the passport.

If an adult is acting as a parent in a situation other than one described in this section, please explain the circumstances in a letter with your application. We will also need documentary proof of your responsibility for the child.

If we have already issued a passport to a child after an application has been made by one parent, the other parent or anyone else with parental responsibility cannot apply for a separate passport for that child. If you cannot sign the application form:

• get someone else to sign on your behalf, and
• tell us in section 8 and include a covering letter to explain why you cannot sign. This is normally done by the person filling in the application form on your behalf. Your passport will note that the holder does not have to sign.
• For more advice or if the person with parental responsibility is not able to give permission please see [ways to contact us](#contact}.

Section 10: Countersignature

Countersignatories.

A ‘countersignatory’ will need to fill in this section if you are applying:

• for a first British passport
• to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• renew a child passport (if the child is aged 11 or under)
• to renew a passport (adult, or child aged 12 to 15 years) if you cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current passport
• to extend a passport

A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity. They need to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the details you have given in your application are correct, and they must also confirm that the photo is of you. For child applications (aged under 16) it is also to confirm that they have known, for at least 2 years, the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the application form. They must also confirm that the person has parental responsibility for the child and confirm the child’s photo is a true likeness.

The countersignatory must:

• have known you personally for at least 2 years (for example, a friend, neighbour or colleague, and not someone who is related to you or only knows you professionally)
• be a professional person (please see occupations for countersignatories
• live in the UK, and
• hold a British or Irish passport which has not run out.

The countersignatory needs to:

• read through the completed application form to make sure the information is accurate
• fill in section 10 of the form, giving their passport number, and then sign the box
• give their full address and contact details. This can be a business address or home address, but should be one that we can contact them at. The countersignatory can give an email address on a separate piece of paper if this is more convenient.
• for an adult application, ‘certify’ one (not both) of your photos by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• for a child application (under 16), confirm that they have known the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the form for at least 2 years, and certify one photo (giving the child’s full name) by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• put their initials next to any mistakes they may make in section 10.

The countersignatory must not:

• be related to you by birth or marriage (including in-laws or partners of family members)
• be in a personal relationship with you
• live at your address, or
• work for us at HM Passport Office.

What we do with the details of the countersignatory

As part of our work we will check that the countersignatory is genuine. This may include checking their passport and other records to confirm their identity and their profession or professional qualification.

Please make sure that your countersignatory knows that we may contact them and carry out these checks.

We may ask you to provide another application form with a different countersignatory if we are not satisfied with your choice of countersignatory or if we cannot contact them.

Accepted occupations for countersignatories

Your countersignatory must either:

• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

Recognised professions

Examples of recognised professions include:

• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank/building society official
• chairman/director of limited company chiropodist
• councillor, eg local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT
• registered company
• engineer – with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, eg a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• legal secretary – fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and Pas
• holder of a valid premises or personal licence under the Licensing Act
• local government officer
• manager/personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion – including Christian Science
• nurse – RGN or RMN
• officer of the armed services
• paralegal – certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals
• person with honours, eg an OBE or MBE
• photographer – professional
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president/secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• teacher, lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent – qualified
• valuer or auctioneer – fellows and associate members of the incorporated society
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

People who aren’t accepted

Your countersignatory can’t:

• work for HM Passport Office
• be a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they state that they know you well (eg good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo

You can find more information at www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

Documents you need to send us, including photos

You must check supporting documents guidance . Your application will be delayed if you do not send us all the right documents.

All applications need:

2 recent identical photos (which meet photo guidelines – see photo guidance )

Your last British passport or any valid passports that were issued in another country.

Change of name

If you have changed your name since the issue of your last British passport to get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change. If you are applying for your first British passport and have changed your name from birth, you will need to send us documents that show your name change. See page 16 for more information.

Avoid delays

• Send us original or replacement documents. Unless stated, we do not accept photocopies or documents that have been laminated. If you were born in the UK, documents must have been issued by the General Register Office for England and Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland, or the local registration service.
• If you need to send a UK birth certificate and were born on or after 01/01/1983: it must be a full birth certificate. (This is the one that contains the details of both you and your parents.)
• If any document you are providing is in a language other than English or Welsh, also provide an official translation. This must be signed and stamped by a translator who is a member of a recognised professional organisation to prove it is genuine.
• We can’t accept damaged documents. You’ll need to send us a replacement document.

Replacement certificates

• To get copies of birth, marriage or death certificates issued in England or Wales, go to www.gov.uk/bmdcertificates
• To replace documents issued in Northern Ireland, go to www.nidirect.gov.uk and for Scotland go to www.nrscotland.gov.uk
• To replace documents issued abroad, get advice from the relevant embassy or consulate of that country.

We may contact you for more information if you don’t provide original documents.

Once we have considered your application, we may still need to ask you for more information.

Change of name table

You will have either changed your name from birth or have changed your name since the issue of your British passport. To get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change.

Have you changed your name by marriage or civil partnership?

If ‘yes’, send:

• Marriage certificate, or
• Civil partnership certificate

Are you are going back to your maiden or unmarried name? Or to a previous name once used?

• one document from List A
• a signed statement saying that you now use your maiden name for all purposes
• your birth certificate
• your marriage certificate showing both names
• your decree absolute (if applicable)
• evidence of all previous names from List B

Do you want to travel in your new name shortly after getting married or forming a civil partnership?

• Completed PD2 form (post dated form)
• See www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information for advice and to download the PD2 form

Are you changing the name on a child passport?

• a signed statement from everyone that has parental responsibility for the child saying they give permission to the name change, or
• a court order allowing the change of name

and both of the following:

• one piece of evidence from List A
• at least one piece of evidence from List B

Are you are changing the spelling of your name slightly? e.g. Bryan to Brian, changing the order your forenames appear in your passport or dropping a forename?

• one document from List A and one document from List B , or
• two documents from List A

Are you changing your name following gender re-assignment?

• Gender recognition certificate
• a new birth or adoption certificate showing your acquired gender

Or alternatively a letter from your doctor or medical consultant together with:

• one document from List A , and
• at least one document from List B

Are you changing your name for any other reason?

List a – please provide one document which confirms your name in current use.

• Tax record eg a letter from a tax authority
• National identity card or equivalent
• Employment record eg an official letter from your employer
• Visa or residence permit
• Educational record eg a school report
• Letter sent to you from a central, regional or local government department
• Driving Licence
• Medical/health card
• Voter’s card
• Bank statement
• Baptism/Confirmation certificate

List B – please provide one document that shows each name change that has taken place

• Marriage certificate
• Enrolled deed poll
• Change of name deed signed in both your old and new names
• Certificate of naturalisation or registration
• Statutory declaration or affidavit signed in your new name
• Birth certificate (upon re-registration)
• Certificate from the Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland
• Adoption order/certificate

Once you’ve filled in your application

Passport fee.

The passport fee when applying from outside the UK depends on the type of application you are making. The fee is set in pounds sterling and payable at the time of applying. You will have to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of your new passport and supporting documents. In some countries where you have to apply in person, the courier fee will cover the cost of forwarding your application to the UK for processing and the cost of returning the new passport to a local office, for you to collect. We cannot usually refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful or withdrawn. This is because we will already have carried out a lot of work in processing it.

Passport Ownership

The passport remains the property of the Crown at all times and can be cancelled at any time. If payment is unsuccessful we will cancel the passport and you will not be able to travel with it or use it for identity purposes.

For information on passport fees visit www. gov.uk/overseas-passports If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, you don’t have to pay for a standard 34- page passport. The passport and delivery to you will be free of charge.

You must pay in pounds sterling by credit card or debit card using the payment instruction form which you can download from www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports. The cards we accept are Mastercard, Visa, Electron, Diners Club and JCB.

Where to send

For details of where to send your application visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports In some countries you will have to apply in person. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Delivery information Your new passport and supporting documents will be returned to you separately. Our courier will aim to deliver packages direct to customers. You should ensure that up to date, correct contact details are included in the passport application form. In some countries you will have to collect your new passport from a local office. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports If our courier has got your package you can track it, or find full delivery information at: www.logistics.dhl/gb-en/hmpo If you need to have your passport and supporting documents delivered to the UK please contact the Passport Adviceline for further information.

• take responsibility for applications and supporting documentation which go missing on their way to us. We can only take responsibility once we have received the application and supporting documents into our care. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
• replace any documents that you report as missing 6 months after we have issued the passport; or
• accept responsibility for passports and supporting documents which are not delivered if you quote an incorrect address or do not tell

If you need to contact us you will need to give us the barcode number from the front of your application form.

We will need to ask you personal information to verify your identity when you contact us to check the progress of your application form.

Passport advice

• For advice or to get a large print, Braille or audio version of this booklet, please call the passport adviceline on 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).

Travel advice

Travel advice is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For detailed, up-to-date information:

• visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Advice includes information on when a passport is valid, visa information and requirements to enter certain countries, and information on health, insurance, and money when you travel.

Other information

Protecting your personal information.

Your identity and personal information are valuable. We protect your privacy and process your personal information in line with data protection legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation. Your personal information will only be seen by those who have a legitimate reason for seeing it. We will check the information you give us with other government departments and a credit-reference agency to help us check your identity. We may also pass the information you give us to UK law enforcement agencies or government departments involved in preventing fraud to help prevent or detect identity theft, fraud or other criminal activity. You can find details about the personal information we hold, how we protect it, who we pass it to and how you can get a copy of that information and other rights in our Privacy Information Notice (PIN) on our website. You may be contacted by HM Passport Office for additional information or to ask you about our service at a later stage. For more information or to find out how to opt out please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmpoprivacy-information-notice . You can get a printed copy of the information by writing to us at:

Disclosure of Information Section HM Passport Office Aragon Court Northminster Road Peterborough PE1 1QG

Service standards

Providing a high level of service to all our customers is very important to us. We sometimes make mistakes, or circumstances beyond our control affect the standards of service. When this happens, we will apologise and do everything we can to put things right. We welcome your feedback on any aspect of our service, including how we can improve in the future. We have a disability equality scheme which sets out clear and specific aims about how we will promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Your views are important to us, please contact us by phone, letter, or email if you have any ideas or suggestions to help us improve.

What you can expect from us:

• our staff will be polite, helpful and professional.
• the details in your passport (including the chip) will be correct and we will return your supporting documents using the delivery method you choose.
• we will give you a clear and helpful explanation if you are refused a British passport because of citizenship or other reasons.

Complaints about passports

If you have a complaint about how we handled your passport application, please contact our Customer Service Management Team by phone, in writing or by using our online enquiry form.

If you have followed step one and are not satisfied with our response, you can ask us to review your complaint.

If you have followed steps one and two and are still not satisfied, you may ask your Member of Parliament (MP) to raise the matter with our Director General.

If you are still not satisfied, you can ask your MP to request an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (the Ombudsman). You can only do this through your MP. The Ombudsman’s role is to investigate complaints by members of the public about the way government departments, and their executive agencies, have treated them.

Compensation

We realise that sometimes our mistakes may cause you expense or financial loss. In these cases, you should follow the instructions in step one and write us a letter. With the letter you should send any documents that prove your claim (for example, a receipt to show a cancelled flight). We only normally offer compensation for financial loss as a result of delays in our guaranteed (Fast-track and Premium) services.

Phone: 0300 222 0000

Textphone: 0300 222 0222

Text Relay: 18001 0300 222 0000

HM Passport Office PO Box 767 SOUTHPORT PR8 9PW

Online: complete our online enquiry form .

When you write to us, please provide:

• full details of the problem
• the name and date of birth of the person the passport was for
• the date the application form was sent to us
• which of our offices the application form was sent to
• the barcode number from the application form, if you have a note of it
• the passport number, if you have one
• information so we can contact you (name, address, postcode, day and evening phone numbers, and email address if you have these), and
• the date and time of your appointment and an appointment reference number if you visited one of our offices to get your passport.

When we receive your complaint, we will investigate and let you know what went wrong and advise you what we are doing to put things right. We will write to you within 10 working days from receiving your complaint, either with a full reply or to let you know what is happening if we have not finished our investigation.

Identity Interviews

If you are 16 or over, or likely to become 16 before we can issue your passport, you may need to have an identity interview. However we may ask anyone to attend an identity interview. The interview will help us to confirm your identity and that the passport application we have checked actually belongs to you. This is an important part of our commitment to help to reduce identity fraud. It will help us to spot and prevent other people using your identity and committing fraud in your name. This process will increase the time it takes for us to process your application. We will contact you if you need to have an identity interview. Our email/letter will explain how to make an appointment, and give options on where your interview can take place. Interviews can be held in the UK or overseas over a video link connection. Your interview will be carried out in English and your email/letter will give important information so you know what to expect and what you need to do next. This includes what you need to bring such as any additional documents. If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview, please let us know in section 8 of the application form. You should also provide a letter from your doctor or hospital consultant explaining your condition and if this is likely to be permanent or if an improvement can be expected.

If you would like to learn more about identity interviews you can find out at www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport

A checklist before you send in your application

Make a note of your application number on the front page of this guidance booklet. Your application number can be found on the front of your form under the barcode number. You will need this number should you need to contact us. You must send us:

A correctly filled-in application form

All sections should be completed as detailed in ‘Which type of passport are you applying for and what sections to complete’

The form has been signed and dated at section 9, and 6 if applicant is aged 12-15.

If the application is for a child, the adult signing the declaration must have parental responsibility for the child.

If a countersignatory is needed they have fully completed section 10 and correctly certified, signed and dated one photo. See countersignatory section .

2 recent identical photos

(which meet photo guidelines )

The correct documents

Use the checklist for what documents you need to send us .

The correct fee

For information on passport fees visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

The correct address to send your form

In some countries you will have to apply in person, visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out where you need to take your form or where you need to send it

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