If you need to get in touch with His Majesty's Passport Office about a new passport, a renewal, or a delayed application, having the right telephone number saves you from wasting time on hold with the wrong department. This guide covers every way to contact HM Passport Office, the best times to call, and what to have ready before you dial.
Overview: main British passport telephone numbers
The passport adviceline is the primary contact point for all British passport enquiries handled by HM Passport Office. Whether you want to apply for a new passport, track an existing passport application, or resolve an urgent travel issue, this is the number to call.
The main UK helpline for British passport queries is 0300 222 0000. This is the passport adviceline operated on behalf of HM Passport Office.
For callers outside the UK, the international contact number is +44 (0)300 222 0000.
A text relay service is available for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired or have speech difficulties. The text relay number is 18001 0300 222 0000.
Core opening hours are monday to friday 8am to 8pm UK time and 9am to 5:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and uk bank holidays.
The adviceline handles a wide range of issues including new passport applications, renewals (adult and child), tracking the status of a passport application, urgent travel requests, Fast Track and Premium service bookings, and correcting errors on received passports.
You can apply for a passport online or by post. Adult passport fees are currently £102 for digital applications and £115.50 for paper applications. If you apply by post, you need two identical photos with your paper passport application.
Calls to 0300 numbers are charged at your network provider's standard national rate. These are not premium-rate numbers, and most mobile and landline plans include them in bundled minutes.
When to call HM Passport Office vs the Post Office
One of the most common sources of confusion is whether to call HM Passport Office or the post office. They handle different parts of the passport process, and calling the wrong one wastes your time.
HM Passport Office (sometimes referred to as the passport office or His Majesty's Passport Office) is the official authority that issues all uk passports, makes decisions on eligibility and nationality, and processes every application from start to finish.
The post office provides in-branch support such as taking passport photos, offering the Check & Send service to review your form before submission, and forwarding your application to HM Passport Office.
Call HM Passport Office (0300 222 0000) if you need to check the status of a delayed application, book an urgent or Fast Track appointment, report errors on a passport you received, or raise a complaint about processing decisions.
Contact the post office if your issue relates to in-branch services: problems with the Check & Send appointment, payment errors at the branch counter, or concerns about how your photos or documents were handled in-store.
Contacting the post office will not speed up HM Passport Office processing times. The post office acts as a facilitator; all decisions and internal processing sit with HM Passport Office.
For questions about birth certificates or name changes linked to the general register office, you may need to contact that office separately, as HM Passport Office cannot issue civil registration documents.
Always check official HM Passport Office guidance on GOV.UK for the most current rules, telephone numbers, and service options before calling.
Passport Adviceline opening hours and best times to call
Call wait times on the passport adviceline fluctuate throughout the week and across seasons. Planning when you call can be the difference between a five-minute wait and a long hold.
Standard opening hours are monday to friday 8am to 8pm UK time. On Saturday, sunday, and uk bank holidays, the adviceline is open 9am to 5:30pm.
Peak call times are typically Monday mornings and late afternoons close to closing. If you can avoid these windows, you will generally wait less.
Quieter periods tend to be early morning just after 8am on weekdays and mid-week days (Tuesday through Thursday). These are your best windows for shorter queues.
Have your 10-digit HM Passport Office reference number ready before you call. References starting with PEX relate to online applications; those starting with POD were submitted via the post office Check & Send service. If you applied by paper post, have your application barcode available.
During exceptionally busy periods - particularly April through July ahead of the summer travel rush, and before Christmas - waiting times escalate significantly. Patience and flexibility on timing are essential.
For non-urgent questions, consider using web chat or the online enquiry form instead. These channels are available during similar hours and let you avoid the phone queue entirely. You can also find answers to many common questions on the official GOV.UK passport page.
If you’re waiting for your new passport
A large proportion of calls to the British passport telephone number come from people wanting to track a pending passport application. Before picking up the phone, it is worth trying the online tracking service first, as it often gives you an instant update.
You can track your passport application online using HM Passport Office's tracking tool on GOV.UK. You will need your application reference number (PEX for online, POD for post office Check & Send) or your barcode from a paper form.
Processing times vary based on application type and location. Standard online renewals typically complete within around three weeks. First-time adult passports can take up to six weeks due to additional identity and nationality verification, and HM Passport Office currently advises allowing up to ten weeks during peak periods.
If your application is significantly delayed beyond published processing times and you have not received any communication, call 0300 222 0000 to speak with an adviser.
When you call, have your application reference, full name, date of birth, and date of application ready. If you applied by post, keep your Royal Mail tracking number and any receipts nearby.
You must provide both parents' details for a child's passport application. If there are queries about parental consent or documentation, this can add time - and advisers may request additional documents before the application proceeds.
Calling the helpline does not guarantee faster processing. Advisers can tell you whether documents are missing, whether your application is under further investigation, or whether additional information is needed, but they cannot override internal queues.
If a friend or family member is calling on your behalf, HM Passport Office may require your permission or security verification before discussing your case. Having a signed letter of authorisation can help.
If you need a passport urgently
If you need to travel urgently and your standard application will not arrive in time, HM Passport Office offers expedited services. Here is what to know before calling.
The 1-week Fast Track service is available for renewals, replacements (lost, stolen, or damaged passports), child passports, and certain changes of details. Adult Fast Track passports currently cost £178.
The Online Premium (same-day) service allows eligible applicants - usually adult renewals where nationality evidence is already confirmed - to collect a passport on the same day as their appointment. This service costs £222 for an adult passport.
These services exist for genuine urgent situations: imminent trips, funerals, compassionate reasons, or work emergencies where the standard processing time is insufficient.
Do not submit a second passport application if one is already in progress. Doing so can cause duplication, extra fees, and delays that make the situation worse rather than better.
Call the passport adviceline on 0300 222 0000 if you need a passport urgently and are unsure which service fits your situation. Advisers can walk you through options based on your travel dates.
Have proof of travel dates available when you call - a flight booking, itinerary, or employer letter will support your request.
Appointments for Fast Track and Premium services are limited and can be fully booked weeks in advance, especially before school holidays and during the summer. If you need to travel urgently, act as early as possible.
Other ways to contact HM Passport Office (web chat, online and post)
The British passport telephone number is not the only way to reach HM Passport Office. Several alternative channels suit different types of enquiry, and choosing the right one can save you time.
HM Passport Office offers a web chat service on GOV.UK. It is typically available during the same hours as the phone line: 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 5:30pm on weekends and public holidays. During peak periods, web chat may be temporarily unavailable or experience delays.
Web chat is well suited to quick, non-sensitive questions about application status, document requirements, or fee queries. It usually opens in a new browser tab or window on the GOV.UK page.
Online enquiry forms can be used for assistance or to complain. Use the online enquiry form for a reply within 72 hours. This is the preferred method for non-urgent written questions where you need a documented response.
The postal address for HM Passport Office is PO Box 767, Southport, PR8 9PW. Use this address for formal correspondence, complaints, or when you are asked to send supporting documents by post. Make sure to include your full name, application reference, and return address with any letter.
Time-sensitive issues - such as needing to travel within days - are usually better handled by phone or by booking a Premium appointment. Post and online forms are not fast enough when departure dates are imminent.
Always visit the official GOV.UK website for the latest contact details. Web chat links, form URLs, and postal arrangements can change, and third-party websites sometimes display outdated information.
Contacting HM Passport Office from outside the UK
British citizens who live abroad or are travelling overseas may still need to contact HM Passport Office about a passport renewal, a lost document, or an application query.
The international telephone number is +44 (0)300 222 0000. This connects to the same passport adviceline as the UK number, but callers will be charged at international rates unless their phone plan includes UK numbers.
Check the time difference between where you live and the UK before calling. The adviceline operates on UK time: monday to friday 8am to 8pm, and 9am to 5:30pm on weekends and uk bank holidays.
British embassies and consulates can provide guidance on passport matters, but most passport decisions are still made centrally by HM Passport Office in the UK. Embassies do not issue full passports.
If you need to travel urgently and cannot wait for a standard passport, some embassies can issue emergency travel documents. These are temporary and intended for single journeys back to the UK or onward travel.
When calling from abroad, have your passport details, local contact information, and any travel dates ready to provide to the adviser.
Before calling the UK number, it is worth checking your local embassy or consulate web page. Some provide country-specific contact numbers, local fees, or mailing addresses that may be more convenient for your situation.
Making a complaint or raising an issue
If something has gone wrong with your passport application - whether it is a processing delay, an error on your passport, or poor service - you have several ways to raise a complaint through HM Passport Office.
The passport adviceline (0300 222 0000) can log your concerns and direct you to the formal complaints procedure. Advisers can note details of your issue and escalate where appropriate.
Formal complaints can be submitted via the online enquiry or complaints form on the official HM Passport Office website. Written submissions give you a clear record and typically receive a reply within a set number of working days.
You can also post a written complaint to HM Passport Office, PO Box 767, Southport, PR8 9PW. Mark your letter clearly as a "Complaint" and include your application reference, a timeline of events, and copies of any supporting documents.
Keep copies of everything related to your application: confirmation emails, Royal Mail tracking numbers, receipts, call notes (date, time, and name of adviser if given), and any correspondence you have received. These details support your complaint and make any subsequent investigation more straightforward.
HM Passport Office aims to provide an initial reply to complaints within a published number of working days. For general online enquiries, the current guidance is a reply within 72 hours; formal complaints may take longer (for example, 15 working days or more depending on complexity).
If your complaint is about an in-branch post office service - such as the Check & Send process, photos, or branch staff conduct - direct it to the post office using their own customer service channels. HM Passport Office only handles issues within its own jurisdiction.
FAQs: quick answers about the British passport telephone number
Below are concise answers to common questions people ask about calling HM Passport Office.
Before phoning, have the following information ready: your full name, date of birth, current address, application reference number (PEX, POD, or barcode), travel dates if relevant, and any email or mobile number linked to your application.
Someone else can call on your behalf - for example, a friend, family member, or neighbour - but HM Passport Office may require your explicit permission or security verification before discussing your case. For Premium or Fast Track appointments where another person is collecting, a signed letter of authorisation and their ID will normally be needed.
The helpline can assist with lost or stolen British passports. If your passport has been lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible by calling the adviceline. They will guide you through the replacement process, including which forms to sign and what fees apply.
The British passport telephone number cannot give immigration or visa advice. If you have questions about visas, immigration status, or settlement, those should go to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the relevant official immigration channels.
Calls to HM Passport Office are recorded for training, monitoring, quality control, and security purposes. This is standard practice across government customer service operations.
Never share bank card PINs or full passwords over the phone. HM Passport Office advisers may ask for identity verification details such as your passport number or personal information, but they will never request PINs, full passwords, or sensitive banking credentials.
If you are applying for a child's first passport, a countersignatory - such as a neighbour, colleague, or professional who has known the child (or parent) for at least two years - may need to confirm the child's identity. The adviceline can clarify current countersignature requirements.
Key points to remember
0300 222 0000 is the main British passport telephone number for most HM Passport Office enquiries inside the UK.
The international number is +44 (0)300 222 0000 and the text relay option is 18001 0300 222 0000.
Always check official HM Passport Office guidance on GOV.UK for the latest numbers, opening hours, fees, and service updates before acting on any advice.
Choose the right contact channel: telephone for urgent issues and real-time support, web chat and online forms for non-urgent enquiries, and post for formal documentation or when you are asked to send original documents.
Save the number in your phone now so you can find it when you actually need it.
