If you have recently moved home or started a new job in a different city, you might be wondering whether you need to change address for passport records. The short answer may surprise you. Here is everything you need to know about UK passport address rules, when you actually need a new passport, and how the application process works.
Do You Need to Change the Address on a British Passport?
No. In the UK, the address is not printed on your passport. HM Passport Office does not store or display your residential address on the biodata page of a British passport. That page only shows your name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, gender, passport number, photo, and expiry date.
This means you do not need to update your address when you move home. You also do not need to send documents to prove your new address. Your current passport remains a valid passport for travel abroad and identity purposes as long as your personal details have not changed. This applies to standard 10-year adult passports and 5-year child passports, whether issued after 2018 or earlier.
Airlines, border control, and most organisations that check your identity rely on the details and biometric chip in your passport, not on any address. Most people assume they need to notify the passport office after moving, but that is not the case.
Instead, you must update your address with other organizations like the DVLA and NHS, as well as HMRC, your local council, banks, and your GP.
When You Must Get a New Passport (Even if You’ve Moved)
While a change of address alone does not require action, several other situations do. You must apply for a new passport if:
You change your name (through marriage, civil partnership, divorce, or deed poll)
Your passport has expired or has very little time left before expiry
Your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged
Your appearance has changed so much that a person cannot recognise you from your passport photo
You must apply for a new passport after a name change if you want to travel under your new name. HM Passport Office cannot simply update an existing document. Your passport will be cancelled when you apply for a new one, and the replacement will have a different number. If you hold dual nationality or have an unexpired visa in your old passport, check with the relevant embassy or consulate, as rules vary by country.
How Address Details Are Actually Used for Your Passport
Your address is collected on the passport application form for two practical reasons: delivery and security. HM Passport Office uses the address you provide to post your new passport and return your supporting documents. They may also use it as part of identity and fraud checks during the application process.
Your address does not appear anywhere on the physical passport and is not visible to airlines, border officials, or any other person checking your identity.
If you want to update records at HM Passport Office, you must renew your passport. You can update your address by applying for a new passport online. If you move while an application is being processed, contact HM Passport Office immediately with your reference number so the delivery address can be changed. Moving home does not affect the legal validity of your existing British passport in any way.
How to Apply for a New Passport When Your Details Have Changed
This section only applies if you are changing personal details such as your name, not just your address. You can apply for a new passport online or by post.
It costs £102 to renew a passport online
You can apply using a paper form for £115.50
You will need your old passport, a compliant photo, and supporting documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or deed poll. The application form must show the exact new name you want on the passport. Processing times vary, and urgent services are available for an additional fee.
Applying Online
The apply online route is typically cheaper and faster. You can apply for a new passport online through the official gov.uk service. Here is the process:
Go to gov.uk and select "renew or replace a passport"
Log in or create a government account
Complete the online passport application form with your correct contact details
Upload a compliant digital passport photo (neutral expression, plain background, no shadows)
Pay the fee securely by card - the online application fee is £102
Receive a reference number by email
After submission, you must send your current passport with your application, along with original supporting documents such as a deed poll or marriage certificate, by post using the instructions provided. You can track your passport online using your reference number and email or SMS updates.
Applying with a Paper Application Form
You can pick up a paper application form from many post office branches. Some branches offer a Check and Send service, which costs an additional £16 on top of the standard fee and helps reduce the risk of errors.
When completing the form:
Use black ink and capital letters
Make sure the name field matches your legal documents exactly
Include two identical printed photos (one may need to be countersigned if your appearance has changed significantly)
Enclose your old passport and any legal documents proving the change, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership certificate, or deed poll
Send the paper application by Royal Mail Special Delivery or another tracked send service to protect your original documents. Note that paper applications usually cost more and take slightly longer to process.
Changing Your Passport After a Name Change (Marriage, Divorce, Deed Poll)
Your passport name must match the name on your travel booking, insurance, and any visa. If you change your name through marriage, civil partnership, divorce, or a name deed poll, you should get your passport updated before you travel abroad under that new name.
A marriage certificate is accepted as proof for name changes, as is a civil partnership certificate. For example, if you take your spouse's surname or create a double-barrelled surname, the original certificate is sufficient. If you revert to a former surname after divorce, your decree absolute or final order may be accepted alongside your birth certificate. For more extensive changes to your first name, middle names, or entirely new surname, a deed poll or statutory declaration is required. Include proof of your name change with your application.
You can continue to travel on your old passport as long as the name on it exactly matches your booking, even if you have started using a new name in daily life. Once you are ready, you sign up for a new passport in your new name to keep everything consistent.
Evidence HM Passport Office May Ask For
HM Passport Office may request the following as part of your application:
Document | Used For |
|---|---|
UK birth certificate | Confirming identity and marital status |
Adoption certificate | If adopted, confirming legal identity |
Marriage certificate | Surname change after marriage |
Civil partnership certificate | Surname change after civil partnership |
Deed poll / statutory declaration | Any non-standard name change |
Gender recognition certificate | Change of gender marker |
Decree absolute / final order | Reverting surname after divorce |
All documents must be originals - photocopies, scans, or a letter confirming details by email will not be accepted. Non-UK documents may need official translation if not in English or Welsh. The name on all documents should show a clear link between the old name and the new name. Always check the latest HM Passport Office guidance before sending anything, as requirements can change.
What If You Move House During or After a Passport Application?
If you move while your passport application is being processed, contact HM Passport Office as soon as possible with your reference number to update your delivery address. Courier firms delivering passports may require a person to be present at the address to sign for the document, so a missed delivery can cause delays.
If you know you are about to move, you can use a secure alternative address - such as a trusted relative - on your application form, provided you can access post there. A letter to confirm can also be helpful if using a care-of address.
Once your new passport has been delivered, there is no need to tell HM Passport Office about later routine moves. They do not maintain a real-time address register. Instead, focus on updating your address with HMRC, DVLA, your bank, pension provider, GP, and local council.
Fees, Processing Times and Urgent Passport Services
Fees and timelines can change yearly, so always check gov.uk before applying. Here is a summary of current costs and processing times:
Service | Fee | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
Standard online passport renewal | £102 | About 3 weeks |
Paper application | £115.50 | About 3–6 weeks |
Post Office Check & Send | +£16 | Same as paper |
1 Week Fast Track | £192 | 1 week |
Online Premium (same day/next day) | £239.50 | As little as 2 days |
Standard passport applications take around 6 weeks for first-time applicants. Renewing a passport typically takes about 3 weeks. You can receive a passport in as little as 2 days with expedited services through the Online Premium route, though this requires a pre-booked appointment at a regional HM Passport Office and you must bring your completed form, photos, and original documents.
Urgent services carry a significantly higher fee and are not available for every type of application. If your marital status or name has changed, confirm that any existing visa will still be accepted in your new passport before you travel. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have your new passport in hand, with any required permit or consent from the relevant country confirmed.
