Whether you need a first adult british passport, a renewal, or a child passport, the process is straightforward once you know the steps. This guide covers everything from fees and photos to urgent services and common mistakes.
Quick answer: how to apply for a passport right now
The fastest way to apply for a passport is by submitting your application online through GOV.UK. You can also use a paper application form if you prefer.
Applying online - cheaper and faster. An adult passport costs £102 online. You need a digital photo, email address, and a debit or credit card.
Paper application - pick up paper forms from a post office branch or request one by phone. An adult passport costs £115.50 by paper application.
Processing time - about 3 weeks for straightforward cases, up to 10 weeks for first passports or complex applications.
The same basic process applies whether you need to renew an existing passport, apply for your first uk passport, or get a new passport for a child. Do not book travel until your passport arrives - delays happen.
Who needs to apply for a passport?
First adult passport - you must be 16 or older (or turning 16 within 3 weeks) to apply. It will be valid for 10 years.
Renewals - if your current passport is expiring, expired, or has no blank pages, you need to renew.
Lost, stolen, or damaged passport - report it immediately, then apply to replace it.
Child's passport - children under 16 need their own passport, valid for 5 years. A child turning 16 soon may need an adult passport instead.
Irish passports and other nationalities are handled by separate authorities. This article focuses on british passport applications.
Deciding how to apply: online or paper application form
Applying online is usually cheaper and faster than using a paper application form. Here is how the two methods compare:
Online - visit GOV.UK, upload a digital photo, enter your personal details, and pay by debit card or credit card. You can apply for a passport online for most application types.
Paper - collect the application pack from larger post office branches or phone the passport adviceline. Complete the form by hand and post it to hm passport office.
Post Office digital Check and Send - staff take or upload your photo and submit the online application on your behalf for approximately £16.
Post Office paper Check and Send - staff perform a passport check on your paper form and photos, then send service everything securely.
Step‑by‑step: applying online for a British passport
Step 1: Create or sign into your GOV.UK account. Enter your personal details - full name, address, date of birth, nationality, and contact details.
Step 2: Upload a digital photo that meets uk passport rules. It must be taken within the last month, on a plain light background, with no filters. You can also use a code from a photo booth.
Step 3: Confirm details about any previous passports, whether a passport was lost or stolen, and any other nationalities you hold.
Step 4: Pay the fee online. An adult passport application costs £102 online using a debit or credit card.
Step 5: Post your old passport and any required original supporting documents to the address provided after you submit the application online.
Step‑by‑step: applying with a paper application form
A paper application may suit people without reliable internet or those who find the digital photo process difficult.
Get the form from a main post office branch, or phone the passport adviceline to have one posted out.
Fill the form correctly using black ink and block capitals. Match every detail exactly to your supporting documents.
Include two identical passport photos. One may need to be countersigned depending on your application type.
Pay by cheque, postal order, or card details on the form. The fee is £115.50 for an adult passport.
Post your complete paper application to the hm passport office address on the form and keep proof of posting.
Original supporting documents are required - photocopies of documents are not accepted for a uk passport application.
Digital photos and printed photos: getting your passport photo right
Incorrect photos are one of the top reasons for passport application delays.
A digital photo must be in colour, clearly focused, on a plain light grey or cream background, taken within the last month, with no filters and no red-eye correction.
Keep a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. Glasses are only permitted in rare medical cases.
Babies under 1 do not need their eyes open. Children under 6 do not need a neutral expression.
Printed photos for paper applications must be exactly 35 × 45 mm, matt finish, professionally printed, and not cut from a larger photo.
Quick checklist: recent photo, plain background, neutral face, no glasses, correct size, no damage or marks.
Confirming your identity: countersignatories and digital confirmation
A countersignatory is required for first-time passport applications and some child applications. For paper forms, the countersignatory must be over 18, hold a valid british or irish passport, work in a recognised profession, have known the applicant for at least two years, and not be a relative or person living at the same address.
For online applications, a digital identity confirm process may be used - the confirmer receives an email link and reference number to verify your likeness.
A countersignature is not usually required for renewals unless your appearance has changed significantly. Providing false information is a criminal offence.
First adult British passport
If you have never held a uk passport, you need to apply for your first adult british passport once you turn 16.
Prove your British nationality. Proof of identity can include a full uk birth or adoption certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalisation if born abroad.
Provide parental details and evidence of any name changes, such as a deed poll or marriage certificate.
You may be invited to an identity interview - a short appointment to confirm your identity, not a test of knowledge.
The application fee for a first adult passport is £88.50 online.
Your adult british passport will typically be valid for 10 years from the date of issue.
Renewing or replacing an adult passport
Renewing an adult passport is simpler than a first application. You usually do not need a countersignatory, and fewer documents are required.
Submit your current passport or most recent old passport with a new compliant photo. You need two identical passport photos for renewal applications.
If your name has changed, you need to provide a marriage or civil partnership certificate. Include your marriage certificate if your name has changed since your last passport.
Renewing a uk passport costs £102 online. Processing a passport renewal can take 3 to 10 weeks.
If your passport is lost or stolen, report it immediately so hm passport office can cancel it. Then follow the replacement route.
Existing visas in an old passport remain valid - you may need to carry both passports when travelling.
Child’s passport applications
A child's passport is valid for 5 years. A young person turning 16 within about 3 weeks should apply for an adult passport instead.
Provide details of all people with parental responsibility, any court orders, and a full birth certificate showing parents' names.
Photos follow adult standards, with some relaxation for very young children.
An adult with parental responsibility must apply. Children aged 12 or over may need to sign the form.
You can renew a child's passport online for £61.50. A child's passport application costs £61.50 online, or £80 by paper.
Processing times are similar to adult applications - roughly 3 weeks for straightforward cases.
Processing times, tracking and urgent services
Processing time for a passport application is about 3 weeks for standard online cases. First passports and complex applications can take up to 10 weeks.
Track your application on GOV.UK using the reference number you receive after submitting.
1 week Fast Track - for adult and child renewals or replacements. The passport is delivered by courier within about a week. Fees start at £178 for adults.
1 day Premium - if you need a passport urgently, this same-day service is available for adult renewals only. The fee for a one-day premium passport service is £222. Book the earliest appointment available.
Urgent services book up fast before peak travel periods.
Costs and payment methods
Passport costs depend on application type, page count, and method. Here are the 2026 fees:
Type | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|
Adult 34-page | £102 | £115.50 |
Adult 54-page | £116 | £129.50 |
Child 34-page | £66.50 | £80 |
Frequent travellers can select a larger 54-page passport during their application for a higher fee.
Online: pay by debit or credit card. Paper: pay by cheque, postal order, or card.
Using the post office check and send service costs £16 on top of the passport fee.
British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 may qualify for a free passport, though urgent services still incur a fee.
Irish passports and other nationalities
British and irish passports are handled by entirely different authorities. British citizens in Northern Ireland may hold both.
Apply for or renew an irish passport through the Irish Passport Service, with separate fees and timelines.
Some post office branches in Northern Ireland accept postal applications for irish passports.
Lost or stolen irish passports must be reported to the Irish Passport Service promptly.
People from other countries must renew through their country's embassy or consulate in the uk. Dual nationals should keep personal details consistent across passports.
Common mistakes and how to avoid delays
Photo errors: wrong background, wearing glasses, filters, or a photo older than one month.
Sending photocopies instead of originals, using the wrong birth certificate type, or missing a marriage certificate for a name change.
Incomplete parental information or using nicknames instead of legal names on the form.
Booking travel before receiving your new passport - especially risky around Easter, summer, and Christmas.
Use the post office check and send service if you want a second pair of eyes on your application before it goes.
Getting help with your passport application
Contact the passport adviceline by phone for guidance on any part of the process.
Use web chat or the online enquiry form on GOV.UK - responses typically arrive within 72 hours.
Text relay and other accessible services are available for people with hearing or speech difficulties.
Complex nationality questions - particularly for those born abroad or with dual citizenship - may require specialist immigration advice beyond what the passport office can cover.
Apply early, double-check your form and documents, and you will have your new passport in hand well before your next trip.
