lost passport while travelling uk

What to do if you lose your passport while traveling internationally

When I studied abroad in college, my mother told me to take a photo of my passport to keep on hand in case I somehow lost my passport.

More than 10 years later, I still don't understand why I was given that instruction since photocopied passports don't serve as substitutes or makeshift passports, even in times of crisis.

Even so, the U.S. Department of State does recommend travelers copy all their relevant travel documents, including passports, which we will get to later.

Luckily for both me and my mom, I managed to keep my passport and all my belongings during my time abroad, but that wasn't the case for some of my classmates.

Situations like losing your passport while traveling internationally arise for many Americans. Sometimes, you just drop or misplace it; other times, you may find yourself the victim of theft.

As you can imagine, losing your passport while overseas creates quite a pickle, and I would argue it is one of the worst-case travel scenarios. Should you find yourself in this most unfortunate situation (which we hope you never do), here's what you need to know.

Where do I go to replace my passport?

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you cannot enter the U.S. by air, land or sea without a passport. Specifically, you need a passport book if flying or a passport card if entering via land or sea.

If you misplace your passport while abroad, you must replace it before returning to the U.S. This will require contacting the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for help.

"We encourage travelers to keep the contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate on hand when abroad," a State Department spokesperson said via email. "The Department can assist you if you lose your passport or it is stolen."

Additionally, the agency encourages travelers to report the loss or theft of their U.S. passport to their current destination's local police.

"However, don't spend time obtaining a police report if doing so will cause you to miss a flight or delay your travel unreasonably," the State Department spokesperson said.

Though you may be stuck beyond your originally planned departure, the agency will do everything it can to assist with getting you a replacement passport in time.

"If you are scheduled to leave the foreign country shortly, please provide our consular staff with the details of your travel," the State Department spokesperson said. "We will make every effort to assist you quickly."

Know, though, that most embassies and consulates cannot issue passports on weekends or holidays.

"In most cases, except for serious emergencies, a replacement passport will not be issued until the next business day," the State Department spokesperson said.

What do I need to apply for a replacement passport?

As outlined online, travelers need at least six items to apply for a replacement passport, specifically:

• A passport photo (one photo is required, and the agency recommends getting it in advance to speed up the process)
• Identification (i.e., a driver's license, an expired passport, etc.)
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a photocopy of your missing passport)
• Travel itinerary (like airline or train tickets)
• Police report (if applicable)
• Completed DS-11 application (may also be completed at the time of application)
• Completed DS-64 statement form describing the circumstances under which the passport was lost or stolen (may also be completed at the time of application)

How much does a replacement passport cost?

The same fees associated with obtaining a non-emergency passport apply to replacement passports. You can expect to pay $130 for a passport book and $30 for a limited-use passport card.

Though replacement passports are usually valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors, there are limited-validity emergency passports that can be produced quicker for travelers so they can return home to the U.S. or continue with their travels.

"Once you return home, you can turn in your emergency passport and receive a full-validity passport," the State Department spokesperson said.

Is it helpful to have a photocopy of my passport?

My mother's comment all those years ago evidently stemmed from the State Department's recommendation to copy your relevant travel documents, including passports.

"Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative and carry the other separately from your original documents," the State Department advises. "Also, take a photograph of your travel documents with your phone to have an electronic copy."

This copy can also serve as evidence of your U.S. citizenship, which is necessary to replace a missing passport.

If you want to help a friend or family member abroad who has lost their passport, you can call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 888-407-4747, which can connect the passport holder with the relevant embassy or consulate.

Bottom line

If you lose your passport abroad, all hope is not lost, but it's in your best interest to locate the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate ASAP, as all travelers must obtain a replacement passport in person.

These passports serve travelers in all the same ways as a normal passport, though they may not have the same length of validity.

For more frequently asked questions on obtaining a replacement passport, visit the State Department website .

Related reading:

• Where can I cruise without a passport?
• Guide to the 6-month passport rule — what is it?
• 4 best places to travel without a passport from the US
• Here are 15 places you need a visa to travel with an American passport
• Guide to getting your child's passport
• How the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program could help you on your next trip abroad

Passport Articles | Lost/Stolen Passports

What to do if you lose your passport abroad.

If you are a British national and your UK passport has been lost, stolen or expired while you are abroad you can use an emergency travel document also known as 'an emergency passport' to leave the country you are in and return back to your destination. These can be issued on short notice whilst you are overseas.

Expired or damaged passports If you are outside of the UK and your passport has expired or is several damaged and you are unable to use it on your return journey you should always try renewing or replacing it before using an emergency travel document. Only apply for 'an emergency passport' if you need to travel before you can get a replacement passport. Stolen Passports If your passport has been stolen you must contact the local police and report it. Also make sure you retain any and all crime report details and any reference numbers given to you by the police as you may need these in your application form. *Please note that in most cases your UK passport will need to be cancelled before you apply for an emergency travel document, to save it from being compromised and used for un-intended purposes such as ID theft.

What an emergency travel document can do.

An emergency travel document enables you to leave the country you are in and return to your final destination, either the United Kingdom or the country you are residing in. The emergency travel document will allow you to travel via a maximum of 5 different countries. Unlike a standard adult UK passport which is valid for 10 years an emergency travel document is only valid for a specific journey at a specific time. • Having an emergency travel document doesn't automatically grant you entry to the country or countries you are travelling to or through, you may also need a visa. So please check with that countries Embassy or Consulate before travelling. • Where possible they will inform you of any known countries where the emergency travel document has restrictions. • You can ONLY travel to the destinations you have stated on your application. • If you plans change after you receive you emergency travel document you will have to apply and pay for a new one to be issued. • This 'emergency passport' is ONLY valid for the journey stated, if your emergency travel document is not kept by immigration at your final destination you must return it to your nearest British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate for processing and destruction.

Where can I get an emergency travel document from?

To obtain an emergency travel document whilst you are overseas you need to first find out where your nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate is. And the best way to do this is to visit www.gov.uk/fco and there you can find out exactly where to go depending on what country you are in. Now although most Embassy's, High Commission's and Consulate's are able to provide you with an emergency passport, there are occasions where that is not possible. If the office you are directed to is unable to provide that service they help and guide you to the next nearest and available office. So please don't worry there is always someone that can help you.

How to apply.

You will need to apply in person for your emergency travel document and you will need to contact your nearest Embassy, High Commission or Consulate www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations to see if an appointment is necessary. To the appointment please remember to bring the following: • A completed emergency travel document application form • A recent photograph of yourself • Proof of your travel plans - eg, booking confirmations (or detailed written travel plans if you can't book ahead) • A police report if your passport has been stolen You will have to pay a fee in local currency , equivalent to £95.00. The Consular staff will then commence checks to confirm your eligibility before issuing an emergency travel document.

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What should you do if you lose your passport?

Losing your passport can be extremely stressful. here’s what to do if it happens to you.

I t’s a hair-raising moment when, standing in front of the airport check-in counter, you realise that you have absolutely no idea where your passport is. Or even worse, the bag containing all your valuables, including your passport, is lost or stolen during your travels. So what should you do in this situation? And how quickly can you get replacement travel documents? Here’s what to do if you lose your passport, including where to report it and how much it’ll cost to replace.

Main photo: you can report a lost or stolen passport online (Alamy)

What to do if you lose your passport

If you’ve lost your passport or had it stolen, the first thing you should do is report it. You should do this as soon as possible to prevent someone else from using your passport fraudulently, or using it to steal your identity.

The UK passport office allows you to do this online ; this effectively cancels your passport and stops it from being used.

You should also report it to the local police and get a police report. You may need this to apply for a replacement passport or travel document, and to make a claim through travel insurance.

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What to do next depends on whether you’re at home or abroad.

Things are pretty straightforward if you’re in the UK — you just need to apply for a new passport (more below).

It’s a little bit more complicated if you’re abroad when you lose your passport.

If you’re due to return home soon or travel elsewhere, it’s unlikely that you’ll get a replacement passport in time, in which case you’ll need to apply for an emergency travel document instead.

This document will allow you to travel through a maximum of five countries, but you’ll likely need to show booking confirmations or have a detailed itinerary.

You can apply for an emergency travel document online, and it’ll cost you £100. As it contains your travel itinerary, if your travel plan changes, you will need to apply for a new emergency travel document and pay the fee again.

You may also need to attend an interview at your nearest British embassy — you’ll only be told whether this is required after you apply.

It typically takes two days for an emergency travel document to be processed and ready to collect, but it could take up to several weeks depending on the circumstances of the application.

If you’re stationed in one place for several weeks or months, it could be worth getting a replacement passport instead.

There’s a separate website for applying for a UK passport from overseas, and you should be prepared to wait for several weeks.

The UK passport office currently advises allowing a waiting period of up to ten weeks, but the turnaround time is different when you’re abroad and may depend on which country you’re in, and whether you’re applying for an adult or child passport.

Do I need to cancel a lost passport?

Yes, you’ll need to cancel a lost passport to prevent it from being used by someone else. You can do this online .

What do you need to apply for a replacement passport?

When you’re applying for a replacement passport, you’ll need a digital photo and a credit or debit card for payment.

As the passport is to replace one that’s been lost or stolen, you’ll also need to get someone to confirm your identity .

This needs to be someone employed in a known profession, such as an accountant or a solicitor, who’s known you for at least two years as a friend, neighbour or colleague. It can’t be someone you live with or are in a relationship with.

How quickly can you replace a passport?

As mentioned, the time it takes to replace a passport from overseas will vary depending on where you are and the type of passport you’re applying for.

Within the UK, the passport office recommends allowing for up to ten weeks.

However, there are fast-track services available if you’re happy to pay more.

A normal adult passport costs £82.50. However, if you’re happy to pay £155, you can use the one-week fast-track service that gets your new document to you within seven days.

There’s also a £193.50 online premium service, which gets you an appointment as early as within two days, during which you’ll get your new travel document — but this is only possible if you still have your old passport to hand.

• Is my passport valid for travel to Europe? • How many months do I need on my passport to travel? • Most powerful passports in the world

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British Passport Lost Abroad: What To Do Next

Losing a passport on foreign soil is every globetrotter’s nightmare. Thankfully, if you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to get back your British passport lost abroad.

While it’s a serious situation, you need to remember that it’s not the end of the world if it does happen to you. Just stay calm, take a deep breath and follow our advice…

• 1.1 1. Report it to the police
• 1.2 2. Get a New Passport Photo
• 1.3 3. Head to the British Embassy
• 1.4 4. Inform your Travel Insurance Provider
• 2 Will I need an Emergency Passport?
• 3 What to Do if Your Child’s Passport is Lost Abroad
• 4 Conclusion

British Passport Lost Abroad: What to Do

1. report it to the police.

The moment you realise, “Yikes, I’ve lost my British passport!” you must go straight to the nearest local police station of the country you are in to file an incident report. This is crucial. Without an incident report, the British Embassy in whichever country you find yourself in will not issue you with a replacement.

If your travel insurance covers you for a lost passport, your provider will also need to see a police report to reimburse you for any costs incurred.

2. Get a New Passport Photo

Find a photo booth or pharmacy store where you can have new passport photos taken.

Your next step after this is to go to the nearest British Embassy to ask for a new passport – and arriving with a photo should help to speed up the process.

3. Head to the British Embassy

After you have spoken to the police and gotten a new passport headshot, you need to go to the nearest British Consulate or Embassy.

You will be required to complete an LS01 form to cancel your current passport and prevent identity theft. If you’re planning on leaving the country shortly to travel back to the UK, you’ll be issued with an emergency travel document to enable you to do so.

However, be aware that even getting this emergency document issued can still take a few days in the slowest of circumstances and will cost money.

4. Inform your Travel Insurance Provider

This can be done once you have returned to the UK.

You will be required to submit a travel insurance claim to recoup the cost of replacement documents up to the amount shown in your insurance policy.

Make sure you keep hold of your police report as evidence, as they will need this as proof of your British passport lost abroad.

Will I need an Emergency Passport?

It all depends on when you are due to travel back to the UK.

If your flight home leaves the same day or within a couple of days of when you lost your passport, it’s likely that an emergency travel document will be issued to you as soon as possible.

Again, you will need to locate your nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate and take the following items with you:

• A new or recent passport photo
• Your police report
• A completed emergency travel document form
• Proof of flights, booking confirmations and any travel plans

Emergency passports are usually supplied on the same day of the application but it will take longer if your situation appears complicated.

It’s important to remember that an emergency passport is not a long-term replacement and is only valid for the dates and destinations that are shown on your travel itinerary. You must apply for a new passport as soon as you return to the UK.

What to Do if Your Child’s Passport is Lost Abroad

The same steps we’ve already mentioned above will apply if your child loses their British passport abroad — but there are a few extra documents that you will need to provide when you arrive at the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.

If you need to apply for a passport on behalf of a child who is under the age of 16, you will need the following in addition to the documents above:

• All parents passports
• Documentation to prove you are the parents (for instance, a birth certificate)
• Photocopies of the passport photo page of all parents
• Written proof from all parents that they agree to the passport application

The rules are stricter with children under the age of 16 as they are unable to give consent for themselves, and there needs to be a clear paper trail to rule out any kidnapping or custody disputes.

Every year, thousands of holidaymakers utter those dreaded words, “I’ve lost my British passport!” If that’s you this year, make sure you follow the steps above and you’ll find the process much less hassle.

Featured image is by Chris Fleming (CC BY-SA 2.0 licence)

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• Identity services
• How to replace a lost or stolen passport

Whether you’re on holiday or back home in the UK, losing your passport can be a true traveller’s nightmare. But our guide to replacing a lost passport will help you do everything you need to reclaim your identity and get on your way again.

Report a lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, either in the UK or abroad, you should report it as soon as possible  here then you can apply for a replacement.

What if I lose my passport abroad?

If you need to travel urgently or within six weeks you can apply for an emergency travel document . If you do not need to travel urgently or within six weeks then you can apply for a passport from overseas .

What if my passport is stolen?

Stolen passports should also be reported to the police. You can report a stolen passport by telephoning 101 in the UK. Stolen passports abroad should also be reported to the local police and ask for a written police report. You may need to provide this to the British Embassy when applying for a new passport or to your travel insurer if you wish to claim for the expense involved in changing your travel plans.

It's easy to get your passport application or renewal right first time.

How to replace a lost or stolen passport in the uk.

If you don’t plan to travel for at least four weeks, you can pick up an application form . You can also get your application checked to make sure it's right first time, without having to send further applications. It takes an average of three weeks to get your passport using this standard service, but it can take six weeks or longer during the peak summer months, so give yourself plenty of time before you plan to travel.

What if I need my passport sooner?

If you have an overseas trip booked that’s shorter than a month away, you’ll need to use the Fast Track service . This involves attending an appointment at a Passport Office (you can choose between Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport or Peterborough), where you’ll need to hand in:

• A completed application form
• Two valid passport photos
• Any supporting documents.

You’re guaranteed to receive your new passport in seven days but these appointments get booked up quickly – especially in peak season – so book one as soon as possible.

Can I use the one-day Premium Service?

Unfortunately, while a simple renewal can be done in a day, a lost passport cannot be replaced using the Passport Office’s one-day Premium Service. There are a couple of exceptions, but only in extreme circumstances such as a medical emergency or if you have suffered a bereavement. If this is the case, you’ll need to contact the Passport Office directly .

Want to get your new passport application or renewal right first time?

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Here's what to do if you lose your passport while traveling abroad

• If your passport is lost or stolen while you're abroad , it does not mean you're stuck in the country forever. 
• There are seven easy steps that you can take to acquire a quick and temporary passport to get you back home. 
• To do so, you must fill out the appropriate paperwork and visit the US consulate or embassy. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Losing a passport or having it stolen in a foreign country is a hassle, but it doesn't mean you're stuck in that country forever.

Insider consulted the US Department of State's website to see what American travelers should do if they find themselves without a passport while abroad.

Here are the seven steps you should take if you lose your passport while traveling in another country. 

1. First, you must find and contact the nearest US embassy or consulate.

You'll need to report your lost or stolen passport to the consular section specifically. The contact information for US consulates and embassies around the world can be found on the department of state's country-specific information page of their website.

Make sure to tell the consular officer you're speaking with if you've been the victim of a crime. It's also important to let the officer know when you're planning on leaving the country — especially if it's soon — so they know whether to get you a limited validity emergency passport or full validity passport.

2. If your passport has been stolen, file a police report.

Although filing a police report isn't necessary, it can help confirm that your passport was stolen. However, it most likely won't speed up the process of getting a new passport. If you're scheduled to travel back to the US soon, you might want to skip filing the report.

3. Take a new passport photo.

Before heading to the embassy or consulate, find a place where you can have your passport photo taken. Arriving at the embassy or consulate with a photo will help speed up the process of getting a replacement passport.

4. Fill out an application for a new passport and a statement regarding your lost or stolen passport.

Along with taking a new passport photo, there are two forms that you'll need to fill out either before going to the consulate or while you're there. One is a standard application for a US passport and one is a statement regarding a lost or stolen passport , which will ensure your passport is invalidated, preventing anyone else from being able to use it.

It's important to note that once you fill out and submit these forms, your passport will no longer be active. So if you happen to find your passport later, you will not be able to use it and will still need to get a new one. 

5. Go to the nearest US embassy or consulate to obtain your new passport.

You'll need a to bring a few documents with you in order to receive your replacement passport:

• Your new passport photo
• Some type of identification such as a driver's license
• Some type of travel itinerary (airplane or train ticket)
• Evidence of US citizenship (a birth certificate or photocopy of your missing passport)
• Your application for a passport and statement regarding your lost or stolen passport, as mentioned above

6. Be prepared to pay the fee.

Unless you've been a victim of a disaster or serious crime, you'll be expected to pay the normal passport fee — $140 — for your replacement passport. If you can't afford the fee, you'll have the opportunity to name someone who can pay the fee. 

It takes anywhere from four to six weeks to get a passport renewed within the US. This wait time is significantly reduced if you're renewing a passport abroad due to theft or you losing it.

If you have almost immediate travel plans back to the US, you'll be issued an emergency passport that will come in 24 hours and will only get you back to the US. You'll have to get a full-validity passport once you're back home, however. Otherwise, it can take a few days to get a new passport, depending on the country you're in, because it'll have to be shipped from the US.

There are a few other things to keep in mind when replacing your passport.

While replacement passports are usually valid for 10 years for adults and five years for minors, if you receive a limited-validity, emergency passport (if you're scheduled to leave the country almost immediately), then you'll need to turn in your emergency passport once you're back in the US in order to receive a full-validity passport.

Additionally, consulates or embassies can't issue passports on weekends or holidays. The only exception to this is life or death emergencies, in which case travelers can contact an after-hours duty officer to issue a passport.

• How to get a new passport or renew an old one in a few simple steps
• The most powerful passports in the world in 2020, ranked
• 7 tips for keeping your passport safe when you travel

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What to Do if You Lose Your Passport Abroad

Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, exploring a new city, or teaching your first English language class, the location of your passport is probably the last thing on your mind. Losing your passport abroad is an inconvenience no-one wants, but it’s a reality that thousands of Brits deal with each year…

Step 1: Report it

To cancel a missing or stolen passport you must complete a LS01 form, which you can find online. Cancelling your passport is important to protect it from being used in crime. You should also report all stolen passports to local police as soon as possible. A police report and/or crime number will help you in your application for a new passport or Emergency Travel Document.

Step 2: Decide the best option for you

You can order a replacement passport abroad, but it takes the same 3-week period as it does in the UK. If you don’t have time to wait for a new passport you can apply for an   Emergency Travel Document (ETD).  This is a temporary document which only covers agreed trips, e.g. your flight back home.

Step 3: Find the nearest British Embassy

Gov.UK   provides   a list of embassies around the world.   Once you find your nearest British Embassy it’s a good idea to call them to check that the country you’re in accepts ETDs. You might also want to check that that Embassy can process an ETD application for you. Don’t worry if they can’t, they will advise you on who can.

Step 4: Apply & pay

You can apply and pay for an ETD online. It will cost £100 but with the right travel insurance you may be able to claim this back. If you can’t pay the fee, contact someone who can either transfer you the money or pay the Passport Office directly.

Step 5: Attend an appointment

After applying you will need to attend an appointment at the nearest British Embassy. If you’re not prompted to make an appointment at the end of your online application, you should contact the Embassy directly. Here’s what you need to bring:

• A photocopy or photo of your passport if you have one.
• All your travel details and plans, including travel confirmations and event tickets.
• Any other ID you may have, such as a UK driving license.
• If your passport was stolen bring the police report and crime number.
• If you can, taking two passport photos with you will reduce processing time.

You should receive your ETD on the day of your appointment.

Step 6: You’re done!

Once you have your ETD you can go back to enjoying your holiday, but remember if your travel plans change you’ll have to buy another. You can travel to up to 5 (agreed) countries on an ETD, but remember that Visa rules may have changed now you do not have your passport, so check with each country separately. When you travel to the final destination on your ETD, for example home to the UK, border security will keep the document.

This process will vary slightly with each country. For country-specific advice and travel updates the  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office  have loads of online information.

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How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport While Traveling

Carol McPherson

Carol McPherson is an Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @cj_mcpherson.

A member of SmarterTravel since 2019, Carol is an eco-friendly travel enthusiast with a passion for exploring historical sites and trying new things (especially new foods!) She’s lived in Boston and Rome, and hopes to call more cities home in the future.

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You’re packing up your bag after the trip of a lifetime, exhausted and ready to return home when— uh oh. Your passport is missing.

While this sounds like a nightmare scenario, there are measures in place to help you get your documents replaced even when you’re far from home. 

How to Report a Lost or Stolen Passport Abroad

The first step is to report your lost or stolen passport to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Ask to speak with the Consular Section—they will be able to take your report and guide you through the process of obtaining a new passport.

Locating The Nearest Embassy or Consulate

The State Department hosts a directory of U.S. embassies and consulates . Take a screenshot of the address of the embassy closest to your accommodations before your trip in case WiFi is spotty. In a pinch, ask the front desk at your hotel for directions.

What Documents Do You Need to Replace Your Passport?

To replace a lost passport, applicants must fill out a form explaining the loss or theft of the passport (Form DS-64) along with the standard U.S. passport application form (Form DS-11).

Beyond that, the process is the same as a typical renewal application, requiring travelers to submit evidence of U.S. citizenship (and a photocopy), a photo I.D. (and a photocopy), an eligible passport photo, and the required fees.

When Will I Receive My Replacement Passport?

With expedited service (and the accompanying $60 fee), travelers can expect to receive their new passports in two to three weeks. Otherwise, expect a six to eight week wait.

Since most travelers aren’t prepared to add an extra month to their travel plans, embassies and consulates can issue emergency passports——”limited-validity” passports that can be issued as quickly as same-day. Once home, travelers can exchange their emergency passport for a full-validity replacement. 

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport?

The standard $130 renewal fee applies when replacing a lost or stolen passport, regardless of whether it is full or limited validity. The fee may be waived in extenuating circumstances, outlined by the State Department as:

• “the applicant is the victim of a serious crime; or
• the applicant is a victim of a disaster;
• and the applicant does not have and cannot reasonably be expected to obtain money to pay the fees before continuing travel.”

In such cases, the fees will be due when the passport holder exchanges their emergency passport.

How to Make Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport Easier

The best strategy is to prevent the loss in the first place. Always check the safe in your hotel room before checking out or airplane seatback pockets before disembarking to ensure no crucial items are left behind. Invest in an anti-theft bag, like this one from Pacsafe, for extra security.

If the worst-case scenario arises, it helps to prepare ahead of time. Bring along photocopies of your important documents, including your original passport, as well as an extra passport-approved photo. Program the number of your nearest consulate or embassy into your phone and keep the address handy by dropping a pin in your Maps app before departure.

Are there fees for losing your passport?

No, there are no additional fees for a lost passport beyond the typical cost of renewing a passport.

I found my lost passport after reporting it lost or stolen. Can I still use it?

Unfortunately, once a passport is reported lost or stolen, it is no longer valid. 

Can I apply for an emergency passport online?

No. You must apply in person at the embassy or consulate for an emergency passport.

Are emergency passports biometric?

Emergency passports are not biometric, meaning they lack the electronic chip containing a digital copy of the passport holder’s information that is present in standard U.S. passports.

Can I travel anywhere with an emergency passport?

Due to the lack of biometric function, some countries may not accept a U.S. emergency passport for entry.

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The Passport Office Blog

Travel Tips and News

What to Do if You Lost your Passport While Traveling

Losing your passport while traveling can be a stressful experience. Whether it’s misplaced, stolen, or damaged, the thought of being stranded in a foreign country without proper identification can be daunting. However, there’s no need to panic. In this guide, we’ll provide you with essential steps and valuable tips on what to do if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of a lost passport while traveling. Let’s explore the necessary actions and how to navigate this challenging circumstance.

1. Stay Calm and Report the Loss:

Firstly, remaining calm and composed is crucial if you discover that your passport is missing. Panicking will only hinder your ability to think clearly and take appropriate measures. Take a deep breath and quickly report the loss to the local authorities. Visit the nearest police station or embassy/consulate of your home country and provide them with all the necessary details. This step is essential for your safety and to protect yourself against identity theft or fraudulent activities.

2. Contact Your Embassy or Consulate:

Your next action should be to reach out to your country’s embassy or consulate in the destination you’re visiting. Inform them about the lost passport and follow their instructions. They will guide you through the passport replacement process and provide the necessary documents. Ensure you have the required identification and supporting documentation, such as a copy of your lost passport or travel itinerary, as it may expedite the process.

Your nearest embassy or consulate can be found on the State Department’s website.

3. Obtain a Temporary Travel Document:

Usually, the embassy or consulate will issue a temporary travel document or an emergency passport. This document will allow you to travel back to your home country or continue your journey, depending on the circumstances. The temporary travel document is typically valid for a limited period, so it’s important to obtain a new passport as soon as possible.

4. File a Police Report:

Filing a police report is crucial for legal purposes and supporting your passport replacement process. Make sure to gather all the relevant information regarding the loss of your passport, including the date, time, location, and any relevant details. The police report will be official incident documentation, which you may need when applying for a new passport or insurance claim.

5. Replace Your Lost Passport:

You must apply for a replacement at the nearest passport office or embassy/consulate to obtain a new passport. Contact them to schedule an appointment, as many offices require appointments for passport-related services. Be prepared to provide the necessary documents, such as proof of citizenship, identification, passport photos, and a completed application form. Additionally, you may need to pay a fee for the replacement passport. Above all, ensure you have all the required documents to expedite the process.

6. Safeguard Your Identity and Travel Documents:

While dealing with a lost passport, protecting your identity and travel documents is essential. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Keep photocopies or digital scans of your passport, visas, and other important travel documents securely or in your email.
• Carry at least one extra form of identification, such as a driver’s license or a certified copy of your birth certificate, in a separate location from your passport.
• Consider using a travel document holder or money belt that can be worn discreetly under your clothing to keep your documents safe.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary personal information or documents that could make you vulnerable to identity theft.

Expedited Passport Services with The Passport Office

If you are in the unfortunate situation of a lost or stolen passport and need a quick solution, The Passport Office is here to assist you. With over twenty years of experience in the industry, we specialize in expedited passport services, providing efficient and reliable solutions to travelers in need. Here’s why you can trust us with your passport replacement:

1. Assistance with Lost and Stolen Passports:

At The Passport Office, we understand the urgency and stress accompanying a lost or stolen passport while traveling. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the process of replacing your passport quickly and efficiently.

2. Expedited Services for Swift Resolution:

We prioritize fast-track processing to resolve your passport replacement needs swiftly. Our expedited services minimize the time and effort required to obtain a new passport because we strive to expedite the process and deliver your new passport promptly.

3. Trusted Industry Experience:

With over two decades of experience, The Passport Office has been serving the needs of countless travelers in various passport-related matters. Also, our extensive experience allows us to navigate the intricacies of the passport replacement process efficiently. To sum up, you can trust our knowledgeable team to handle your case professionally and professionally.

4. Multiple Convenient Locations:

We have offices in key locations to serve our customers better. You can easily access our services in Miami , Hollywood , Tampa , Orlando , Clearwater , and also Atlanta . Our offices provide personalized assistance and guidance throughout the passport replacement process.

Conclusion: Next Steps for Lost Passport Replacement

Losing your passport while traveling can be a challenging experience, but with the right approach and following the necessary steps, you can overcome this obstacle. Remember to stay calm, report the loss, and also contact your embassy or consulate for guidance. Obtaining a temporary travel document as well as filing a police report is important for your safety and the replacement process.

Replace your lost passport by scheduling an appointment with the passport office or embassy/consulate. By safeguarding your identity and travel documents, you can minimize the impact of a lost passport while traveling. Above all, stay prepared and informed to ensure a smooth resolution to this unexpected situation.

By The Passport Office

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• Report your valid U.S. passport lost or stolen immediately. Protect yourself from identity theft.
• Online  
• By mail, or 
• In person when you apply for a new passport. 
• Do not report a passport lost or stolen if it has expired.
• When you report your valid passport lost or stolen, we immediately cancel it. You cannot use it for international travel even if you find it later. 

Want to immediately replace your valid lost or stolen passport? Reporting it lost or stolen does not replace it. You must  apply in person and submit both Form DS-64 and Form DS-11 if you want a replacement passport. 

Ways to Report your Lost or Stolen Passport

Visit our Online Form Filler to report your passport lost or stolen. 

Use our form filler to report your passport lost or stolen

When you report your passport lost or stolen using our form filler , we will ask if you want a new passport. The form filler will create two forms (a DS-64 and DS-11) if you want to get a new passport now. 

Fill out online, print, sign, and mail  Form DS-64  to the address on the form.

While Applying for a New Passport

Complete Form DS-64 and Form DS-11, and submit both forms when you apply in person. Use our  online form filler , which will save you time and reduce errors caused by handwriting.

Follow the steps on our Apply in Person page to learn how and where to submit these two forms. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i do if i think my passport is lost in the mail.

• Use the  Online Passport Status System  to confirm if we mailed your passport. 
• Contact us if you have not received your passport two weeks after we mailed it.

If you do not report your passport lost in 90 days after we issued it, you must apply again and pay all fees.

Should I report my passport lost or stolen if it has expired?

No. If your passport expired, it is no longer valid and you cannot use it for international travel. You should not report an expired passport as lost or stolen.

Can someone travel using only my passport number?

No. No one can travel using only a U.S. passport number. You must present an original, physical version of a passport to travel.

The passport book and card have many security features to prevent successful counterfeiting. 

You should only report your valid U.S. passport lost or stolen if the physical document is lost or stolen. Once you report a U.S. passport lost or stolen, it is no longer valid and you cannot use it for international travel.

What should I do if I find someone else's passport?

If you find another person's lost U.S. passport, please mail it in a sturdy envelope to:

U.S. Department of State Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP) 44132 Mercure Circle PO Box 1227 Sterling, VA 20166-1227

How do I cancel the passport of a deceased relative?

You can return the passport of a deceased relative for cancelation. After we cancel it, we will return the passport.

Please submit:

• The valid passport
• A certified copy of the death certificate 
• A letter requesting the cancelation and return (or destruction) of the passport

Please mail to:

U.S. Department of State Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP) 44132 Mercure Circle P.O. Box 1227 Sterling, VA 20166-1227

Can I travel if I find my passport after reporting it lost or stolen?

No. If you reported your passport lost or stolen, it is no longer valid. You cannot use it for international travel. If you try to use the passport you reported as lost or stolen, you may have issues traveling. For example, a foreign country may deny entry to you.

If you want to travel after reporting your passport lost or stolen, apply for a new passport using Form DS-11.

Passport Forms

DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport Fill Out Online   Download your PDF

DS-64: Lost or Stolen Passport Fill Out Online   Download your PDF

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

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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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• Society and culture
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• Applying for a passport from outside the UK: how to fill in the application form
• HM Passport Office

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

Updated 18 May 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-passports-guidance/applying-for-a-passport-from-outside-the-uk-guidance-notes-accessible

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.
• Don’t book travel or visas until you have your passport.
• We cannot accept responsibility for travel you book before it arrives. We do our best, but cannot guarantee to return your passport within a certain time.
• Go to www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out how long it is likely to take for your passport to arrive.
• We do not send form or document acknowledgements.
• If you want to check progress with your application, please leave at least 4 weeks from when you submitted your application before contacting us. For some countries this may be longer, please check the guidance at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us full details.
• Give us an email address and telephone number so we can contact you quickly if needed. This will help us to continue with your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed, 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

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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Money: How to earn thousands letting stars like Stormzy and David Attenborough film in your house

Weekend Money has spoken to people who've made serious cash letting film and music stars shoot in their home. You can read this and our other weekend features, and leave a comment, below - and check back on Monday for hourly updates on consumer and personal finance news.

Saturday 13 April 2024 15:36, UK

Weekend Money

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Ask a question or make a comment

By Brad Young, Money team

Earning up to £60,000 a year for letting Stormzy film a music video in your kitchen or Paloma Faith play with Lego in the living room might sound farfetched to homeowners unfamiliar with the shoot locations industry. 

But every star, studio or big brand that wants to film in a residential property needs someone willing to offer up their home for the day - and they'll pay between £700 and £3,000 for the privilege.

Homeowners and shooting agencies have spoken with the Money team about the promises and pitfalls of working with the likes of Disney, Netflix and ITV to take advantage of this niche income stream. 

Among them was Ed Reeve, a photographer from Hackney, who has had stars such as David Attenborough, Stormzy and Jim Broadbent walk through his doors in the 17 years he's been renting out his home. 

"It has been a really positive experience on the whole for us. Generally, the shoot crews are really lovely people and they're very respectful of your home," said Mr Reeve, who is registered with location agency 1st Option.

He hosts between 12 and 20 productions a year. Most bring in £1,000 for a one-day shoot, but some earn him up to £3,000 per day or last multiple days.

"We've met lots of interesting people," said Mr Reeve, including Gillian Anderson, who stars in Sex Education, Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) and Claire Foy (The Crown).

After Stormzy filmed a music video, Mr Reeves said that "every grime artist wanted to shoot here".

David Attenborough once turned up early for a BBC shoot, resulting in the pair sitting down for a cup of tea and Mr Reeve introducing his three-day old daughter to the presenter.

"He held her and looked at her with delight... it was a really special moment," said Mr Reeve. 

Shoots can result in scratches around the interior, but Mr Reeve said he uses some of the money to redecorate – or in one case, let a Delux advert do it for him. 

'It's never free money'

Less enthusiastic about the industry was Emer Stamp, 48, a children's author from London, who has hosted for two years.

"You think, 'Oh yeah, my house is going to be rocking', and everyone comes round and goes 'Your house will be perfect', but for whatever reason, it's not.

"My takeout is it's not as easy to make money as you think."

Ms Stamp said her home had been chosen for three productions, including a Dell shoot and a Lego advert starring Paloma Faith, earning her approximately £6,000. 

Hosting also puts your schedule at the mercy of production companies – and sometimes they may not show up, said Ms Stamp.

"Like anything, you think it's free money but it's never free money."

So what does make a location popular? 

Becky Butler, managing director at agency Location Collective, said there is demand for average-sized family homes with a 60s/70s vibe and unusual features. 

And while a lot of the homes listed by location agencies look expensive, that was far from a deal-breaker. 

"All the practical side of things are as important, if not more so, than the aesthetics of the location," said Ms Butler.

Parking, easy-going neighbours and having one large room for equipment goes a long way with clients.

Getting the combination right can create "a fantastic additional income stream", said Jennifer Marshall, of Shootfactory, which has connected homeowners with everyone from Little Mix to Killing Eve. 

"We have properties that through our company have earned anywhere between £20,000 and £60,000 a year."

Much of the industry is based in London but, between them, the three agencies contacted by the Money team have organised filming in Manchester, Birmingham, the Midlands, the Home Counties and coastal areas.

Both Ms Marshall and the team at Location Collective said having a neighbour willing to get in on the action can be a real selling point.

This might mean a second house on the same street for a TV show, or simply somewhere to house the production team.

"Being able to let them pretty much take over is quite key. Sometimes they might have demands like painting or moving furniture," said Lily Gonnissen, head of business development at Location Collective. 

Being quick to respond to questions, contactable during the working day, and able to accommodate viewings at short notice was a top priority, said Ms Gonnissen. 

"Be friendly and welcoming - brands remember a good owner," said a spokesperson for 1st Option: "And make sure the house is clean and clutter free before any shoots."

The default tariff for prepayment meters is now cheaper than other types of meter.

It follows the energy price cap update to unit rates and standing charges from 1 April.

Uswitch data shows 56% of households don't know about the change.

What do you need to know?

Prepayment meters have traditionally been a more expensive way of paying for energy - but now prepayment standing charges have been lowered to match those for direct debit customers.

Because prepay units are cheaper, people with these meters should pay around £47 less a year than those on direct debits (£1,643 versus £1,690).

Customers who pay when they get a bill are forking out the most - around 5.8p more per day on the standing charge than those with direct debits.

Should we all get prepayment meters?

As energy costs come down, suppliers like EDF Energy have now started offering fixed deals lower than the price cap - and as things stand these are the cheapest options for many.

Eon Next's Pledge tariff promises to be 3% below whatever the price cap is for a year.

There can be catches if you want to leave these fixed deals (though Octopus doesn't charge them) - so make sure you do your research.

How many people have prepay meters?

The number of prepayment meters has fallen almost 8% from the peak in 2019, but there's still more than seven million gas and electricity units in action.

In total, 195,503 prepayment meters were installed in 2023.

Are people swapping?

Uswitch has some research that says young people (18 to 34) are far more likely to go for prepay meters - 51% would consider it, compared with 5% of over-55s.

Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch, said: "Prepayment meters have got a bad reputation among some households, but changes to the price cap mean that their default tariffs are now cheaper than standard credit meters.

"With prepayment meters, you pay for your energy before you use it, and while there are emergency provisions, it does mean it is possible to be cut off if you have not put enough money into your account. 

"This means that younger consumers and vulnerable people are at greater risk of disconnecting themselves from their energy supply when money is tight.

"Direct debits also allow consumers to spread out their costs evenly throughout the year, meaning bills won't rise significantly in the winter when energy usage is highest."

We've had a mixed mailbag of comments this week - with readers getting in touch about pensions, tipping and divorce among other things.

Following this feature on divorce costs last weekend...

...we had dozens of comments...

So many people must be trapped in abusive relationships. A loan has helped me get away - covering legal costs, paying the bills/mortgage on marital home whilst being unable to stay and finding thousands for a rental. Costs so far about £8k - only one year in and at decree nisi. H

Since broken families are ever more common why isn't the government doing something to help divorcees get back on the housing ladder like first-time buyers are? Countless thousands, despite having the income, are doomed to rent expensive family homes. Men especially! Twice Divorced Of Surrey

Trust me, it costs a whole lot more than £30k, stay away from solicitors, work through it yourself. Toby

When one party will not communicate with the other, this makes the process much more expensive. Around £80k in solicitors and barrister fees. Vbkinguk

Another story that cut through was London restaurant chain Ping Pong scrapping tips - months before new legislation will require restaurateurs to give staff 100%.

Readers don't seem impressed...

Best thing employees and customers can do is boycott them. Just goes to show what they actually think of their staff. Dave

I don't want to eat somewhere that doesn't look after its employees. Jack

I'm sure patrons and staff will vote with their feet! How disgraceful to remove tips, probably as the owners aren't getting any cut of their staff's hard work! Elijah

We've reported extensively on the rise to the state pension this month - including how, due to frozen income tax thresholds, more pensioners will be dragged into paying income tax. Chris seems to be one of those impacted...

I deferred taking my state pension for five years to hopefully boost my pension, because I happened to be the last group of people to get the old state pension. Unfortunately because of the tax band freeze any benefit from the pension uplift is being eroded every year, is this fair? Chris

And finally, on Monday we suggested a cheaper way to buy herbs and spices in the supermarket - by using the world food aisle...

We had this comment...

Best money-saving practice for herbs and spices is to source them at Asian stores - not supermarkets! Pip

Spain is planning to scrap a "golden visa" scheme that grants residency rights to foreigners who make large investments in real estate.

Ending the scheme would help make access to affordable housing "a right instead of a speculative business", Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.

The programme awards non-EU citizens investing at least €500,000 (around £429,000) in Spanish real estate - without taking out a mortgage - a special permit, allowing them to live and work in the country for three years.

In better news for Britons who hope to live abroad, Italy is allowing non-EU citizens who can work remotely to apply for a year-long "digital nomad" visa.

There's a few salary/reference based criteria to meet - read about them here...

Labour this week tried to address questions over how it would pay for key pledges  after the Tories used their idea of scrapping the non-dom status to fund a national insurance cut.

Labour had been committed to abolishing non-dom status for years - upon gaining power they planned to use the money to fund breakfast clubs for primary school children and additional appointments in the NHS.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves this week announced the party's plan to raise £5bn a year by the end of the next parliament...

• Labour said it would raise £2.6bn by closing "loopholes" in the government's non-doms plan - after certain exemptions were kept in place by Jeremy Hunt;
• Labour said the "tax gap" - the difference between the amount of money HMRC is owed and the amount it receives - had widened to £36bn in 2021-22 - £5bn more than it had been the previous year;
• To close the gap, Labour said it would invest up to £555m a year in boosting the number of compliance officers at HMRC, increasing productivity and improving the organisation's "dire" customer service;
• It would also consider requiring more tax schemes to be registered with HMRC to ensure they are legitimate, and renew the focus on offshore tax compliance.

The government responded by saying: "The Conservatives have introduced over 200 measures to clamp down on tax non-compliance and we are sticking to the plan to strengthen the economy so we can cut taxes, putting £900 in the pockets of the average worker and helping families to build a brighter future."

Shell is weighing up quitting the London Stock Exchange (LSE) for a move to New York over concerns its listing is currently "undervalued".

Chief executive Wael Sawan  told Bloomberg  that he was mulling "all options".

The British oil and gas giant is currently the largest company in the FTSE 100 index, and its departure from the LSE would be a significant blow to the UK stock market that is fighting to stay relevant.

There's been a run of bad news for the LSE over the past year or so. The world's largest building products manufacturer, CRH, moved to New York, while travel company Tui moved to Frankfurt. And despite the lobbying of numerous prime ministers, UK-based chip company Arm chose the NYSE.

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

UK lenders have seen a rise in defaults on mortgages and credit cards - with the trend expected to continue in the coming months, according to a survey.

A poll of banks and building societies by the Bank of England reveals lenders reported higher default rates on secured loans and unsecured lending in the three months to the end of February.

The rates for mortgages, credit cards and other loans, as well as loans to small to medium businesses, are all expected to rise in the next quarter.

The BoE carries out the survey every quarter as part of its role to maintain financial stability.

It also revealed increased demand for borrowing, with this also expected to climb during the three months to the end of May.

Karim Haji, global and UK head of financial services at KPMG, said the latest BoE data suggests "a more positive economic outlook hasn't fed through to household finances yet".

"Defaults across all unsecured lending increasing over the same three-month period indicates many people are still struggling to meet their day-to-day costs. Lenders will need to be vigilant and continue to offer support for borrowers in the interim," he said.

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Poor software and bias toward making only small, sequential changes is one of the reasons economic forecasters at the Bank of England failed to predict and prepare for the cost of living crisis, brought about by high inflation, according to a "once in a generation" review.

The review announced last year was undertaken by the former head of the US central bank, known as the Fed, and said the quality of the Bank's economic expectations "deteriorated significantly in the past few years" due to out of date software and "excessive incrementalism".

Though the "unusually large forecasting errors" were said to be "probably inevitable", according to the review, conducted by Dr Ben Bernanke.

The problem was not unique to the Bank, rather something all central banks and private forecasters suffered from, it said.

Read the full story here...

After the UK airports with the worst delays were revealed earlier today (see post at 1.15pm), we've been looking at your rights.

If you're unlucky enough to get stuck at an airport due to a flight delay, you may wonder if you're entitled to any compensation.

The good news is you may be - in certain circumstances.

First, it's important to know what flights are covered by consumer law. These are: 

• Any flight leaving a UK airport
• Flights operated by a UK/EU airline arriving at a UK airport
• Flights operated by a UK airline only arriving at an EU airport

When will I be entitled to help? 

You'll qualify for support if a short-haul flight under 932 miles (1,500km) is pushed back by two hours. 

This rises to three hours for journeys up to 2,175 miles (3,500km).

For long-haul flights going any further than this, four hours or longer counts as a significant delay.

What support will I get?

Under UK law, airlines must give passengers who are affected by a delay of at least two hours:

• A reasonable amount of food and drink (usually provided in the form of vouchers)
• Refunds for the cost of two free phone calls, faxes or emails
• Accommodation for passengers stranded overnight (usually in a nearby hotel)
• Transport to a hotel - or their home

Will I get compensation?

Usually, airlines have to provide compensation if a person's flight arrives more than three hours late.

The exception to this is when there are air traffic control problems or extreme weather, as these issues aren't their fault.

If you agree to travel on a later flight, the airline is no longer obliged to offer food, drink or accommodation while you wait.

Thankfully, you are entitled to a full refund if you decide to abandon your journey after five hours of delays.

The length of your flight affects how much you are entitled to:

• Short-haul flight - £220
• Medium-haul flight - £350
• Long-haul flight - £520 if the flight arrived more than four hours late, £260 for a delay of between three to four hours

What if I'm about to travel?

Transfer passengers who end up missing a connecting flight because their first plane was delayed are entitled to a service back to their original departure point.

But things get a little more complicated for passengers on package holidays - especially if they decide not to travel on a delayed outbound flight.

The CAA's guidance says: "You may lose your holiday too, so we recommend you contact your package organiser or the airline for further information.

"If you still want to travel then your airline must get you to your destination. You might have to be patient while they rearrange transport and rebook passengers, but the law says they must get you there."

What if my flight is cancelled? 

You're entitled to a refund or replacement flight if yours is cancelled. Your rights to assistance are the same as if your flight is delayed.

If the reason for the cancellation was within the airline's control, and it was made with no more than 14 days' notice, then depending on the timings of the new flight offered you could also be entitled to compensation.

You'll be able to claim £110 and £520 depending on the length of the route and timings of the new flight.

Drivers are still feeling the strain of rising insurance premiums - but there are signs of a slowdown, according to one index.

New figures from insights firm Consumer Intelligence suggest the average quoted price of car insurance rose by 56.4% in the year to February.

This was the third-highest annual increase since its records began in 2012 - but in slightly better news for motorists, it marked a lower annual rise than the 67.2% recorded in November.

And there was only a slight rise of 0.5% when looking at the three months to February - the lowest quarterly increased since November 2021.

Drivers most commonly received a quote between £500 and £749 in February, Consumer Intelligence said. It analysed the average of the five cheapest offers from price comparison websites.

Max Thompson, the firm's insurance insight manager, said big insurance brands made "competitive movements" to reduce premiums at the start of the year.

"However, some of this was unwound in February indicating it may have been more of a tactical move than a long-term trend," he added.

Jonathan Fong, manager of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, said insurers were "aware of the financial challenges customers are facing" and were working to keep prices affordable.

"Our motor premium tracker is the only collection based on the price customers pay for their policy, rather than quotes, and shows that the average motor premium increased by 25% last year to £543.

"This was largely driven by above inflation increases in the cost of repairs, thefts and replacement cars."

The Abu Dhabi-backed vehicle that had been on the brink of buying The Daily Telegraph is in detailed talks with Whitehall officials about the structure of an onward sale of the newspaper. 

Sky News has learnt that RedBird IMI is negotiating with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about whether it can convert a call option which constitutes the right to take ownership of the Telegraph and Spectator into shares in the assets prior to their purchase by a new owner.

Read the exclusive story by our City editor Mark Kleinman ...

The telecoms entrepreneur who turned Daisy Group into one of the industry's most successful private companies is closing in on the latest in a string of significant takeover deals.

Matthew Riley, Daisy's chairman, has orchestrated a £215m deal to acquire 4Com , a provider of cloud communications services to more than 17,000 corporate customers, Sky News understands.

City sources said the deal was expected to be signed within days and was likely to hand 4Com founder Daron Hutt a windfall worth more than £100m.

Read the full story here ...

The Financial Conduct Authority has told motor finance firms they need to put funds aside as it continues a probe into the sector.

The City regulator also said many firms are "struggling to promptly provide the data we need" for the investigation.

A review was launched by the FCA earlier this year into whether people could be owed compensation for being charged too much for car loans, following a high number of complaints on historic agreements.

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