Every child under 16 needs their own uk passport for international travel. Here is everything you need to know to apply for a first child passport, handle a child's passport renewal, or get a passport urgently through HM Passport Office.
Quick guide: getting or renewing a child passport ASAP
Children under 16 cannot travel on a parent's passport. Whether you need a first child passport or a passport renewal, urgent options exist via hm passport office, so check your timelines before anything else.
Immediate actions:
Check your travel date and destination visa or validity requirements
Confirm whether your child has a current passport or needs a first application
Decide between child passport online (fastest), post office paper form, or Fast Track service
Gather your child's old passport (if applicable), birth certificate, parent's passport details, a compliant digital photo, and a payment card
Costs and timelines:
Route | Fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
Online (standard) | £66.50 | Up to 10 weeks |
Paper / Post Office | £80 | Up to 10 weeks |
1-week Fast Track | £156.50 | ~1 week after appointment |
Note that the same-day Premium service is not available for child passports. If your child's passport has been lost or stolen, report it immediately - a stolen passport must be cancelled before you can apply for a replacement.
What is a UK child passport and who needs one?
A uk passport issued to anyone under age 16 is a child passport, valid for 5 years. Both the older burgundy and newer blue designs are accepted as long as the passport is in date.
Under 16: must hold their own valid passport to leave the UK - this rule applies even to newborns
Age 16 or 17: can usually apply for an adult passport (10-year validity)
Every destination country sets its own validity rule - for example, many EU countries require at least 3 months remaining, while some non-EU countries demand 6 months on the child's passport
Time left on an old passport is not added to the new passport when you renew
Who can apply for a child’s passport?
Application for a child's passport requires parental responsibility from the applicant. Consent is required from either parent with parental responsibility, though only one person needs to submit the form.
Birth mother - always has parental responsibility
Father - if married to the mother at birth, or named on the UK birth certificate
Adoptive parents - once the adoption order is finalised
Guardian or other person granted parental responsibility via court orders
The application form asks for details of both parents. If you are the only parent on the birth certificate, or the sole adopter, you must explain this. A child aged 16 or 17 can apply without parental consent. Children's services can apply for passports without parental consent under care orders, but must provide the relevant court documentation. All individuals with parental responsibility must consent to a name change on the passport.
Documents you need for a child passport
You must send original documents or official copies - a photocopy of any document is not accepted. Applying for a child's uk passport involves several key steps and documents, starting with gathering the right paperwork.
First child passport:
Full birth certificate showing both parents, or adoption certificate
Proof of British nationality if not obvious from the birth certificate
At least one piece of photo identity for each parent (current passport or driving licence)
Any relevant court orders affecting parental responsibility or permission to travel
Renewal: You normally only need the child's old passport, unless there has been a name change. If the child uses a new name, send supporting evidence such as a deed poll, parental marriage certificate, or court order. Certified translations are required for non-English documents. Laminated documents and uncertified photocopies will be rejected.
Child passport photos and confirming your child’s identity
Getting an acceptable photo often takes several attempts, especially for babies. HM Passport Office applies strict standards, though relaxed rules exist for children under 1.
Plain light background, in colour, no filters or shadows
No toys, dummies, or hats - eyes open where possible
Neutral expression for children aged 6 and over
Digital photos must be at least 600 × 750 pixels for online uploads
A countersignatory must certify your child's photo for every first child passport and for children under 12 on renewal. Children under 12 may require a digital referee for identity confirmation. You need someone to confirm your child's identity who is a person of good standing, holds a british passport, and has known the parent for at least 2 years. They cannot be a family member. HM Passport Office may also ask you to provide evidence of the child's identity from sources like school records, nhs records, or child benefits correspondence.
How to apply for a first child passport
You can child passport apply in three ways: online via GOV.UK, by paper form from the post office, or through the 1-week Fast Track service if you need a passport urgently. Applying online for a child's passport is the fastest method, costing £66.50 compared to £80 by post.
Online steps:
Create or sign in to a GOV.UK account
Fill in your child's details, nationality evidence, and parent's passport details
Upload a compliant digital photo
Pay by debit or credit card
Submit the application and post any original supporting documents to the passport office
Paper application: Pick up a form at a participating post office, complete and sign the required sections, and send it with your documents. Some branches offer a Check & Send service where staff confirm everything before posting. Common errors include mismatched names, forgetting the countersignature, or omitting the full birth certificate.
Renewing a child’s passport
You can renew a child passport online or by post. Renewal can take up to 10 weeks during busy periods, so start a child's passport renewal at least 6 months before travel.
You must return the child's old passport to HM Passport Office - it is cancelled and usually returned separately
The new passport gets a fresh 5-year validity from the issue date; unused time is not carried over
A countersignature is required for children under 12, and for older children only if they look very different from their old passport photo
To renew online: log in, choose "renew child passport", enter the old passport number and date, upload a new photo, pay, and post the old passport when instructed.
Urgent child passport services and passport office appointments
Families who need a new passport fast can use hm passport office urgent services, though slots fill quickly around school holidays.
The 1-week Fast Track service is available for both first applications and renewals - fast track service for a child's passport costs £156.50
You must book an appointment at a passport office, attend with completed form, photos, and supporting documents, and the passport is delivered roughly one week later
The 1-day Premium service is only for eligible adult passport renewals - it cannot be used for child passports
Someone can sometimes attend on your behalf with proper authorisation and ID
Applying from abroad and using the Post Office
If you are outside the UK, you can apply for a child's uk passport online via GOV.UK, but processing and delivery times are typically longer. Send supporting documents and old passports using secure tracked post to the relevant processing centre.
Inside the UK, post office branches provide paper forms, Check & Send, and sometimes compliant passport photo services. Whether you apply in the UK or abroad, the child's new passport will arrive by secure courier - make sure someone is home to sign for it.
Consent, court orders and who keeps the child’s passport
HM Passport Office must be satisfied that everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the passport application. Objections to passport issuance can be lodged for 12 months by sending a signed and dated letter directly to HM Passport Office.
Where a child is under wardship, no passport can be issued without explicit court permission
There is no fixed legal rule about which parent keeps the child's passport - this is usually agreed between parents, or settled by a specific issue order
Courts can order the surrender of a child's passport to limit travel, and any person holding it may be ordered to hand it in
Tracking, delivery and getting your child’s new passport
After you submit your application, HM Passport Office will send updates by text and email. Online applications can be tracked via a reference number on the GOV.UK page showing when documents are received, when a decision is made, and when the passport is dispatched.
The new passport arrives separately from returned original documents
An extra £5 can be paid for secure document delivery via special delivery, which provides tracking and compensation if items are lost
Do not book travel until you have the passport in hand - check every detail on every page as soon as it arrives, because fixing errors adds weeks to the process
Child's UK Passport: How to Apply, Renew and Get It in Time for Travel
Every child under 16 needs their own uk passport for international travel. Here is everything you need to know to apply for a first child passport, handle a child's passport renewal, or get a passport urgently through HM Passport Office.
Quick guide: getting or renewing a child passport ASAP
Children under 16 cannot travel on a parent's passport. Whether you need a first child passport or a passport renewal, urgent options exist via hm passport office, so check your timelines before anything else.
Immediate actions:
Check your travel date and destination visa or validity requirements
Confirm whether your child has a current passport or needs a first application
Decide between child passport online (fastest), post office paper form, or Fast Track service
Gather your child's old passport (if applicable), birth certificate, parent's passport details, a compliant digital photo, and a payment card
Costs and timelines:
Route | Fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
Online (standard) | £66.50 | Up to 10 weeks |
Paper / Post Office | £80 | Up to 10 weeks |
1-week Fast Track | £156.50 | ~1 week after appointment |
Note that the same-day Premium service is not available for child passports. If your child's passport has been lost or stolen, report it immediately - a stolen passport must be cancelled before you can apply for a replacement.
What is a UK child passport and who needs one?
A uk passport issued to anyone under age 16 is a child passport, valid for 5 years. Both the older burgundy and newer blue designs are accepted as long as the passport is in date.
Under 16: must hold their own valid passport to leave the UK - this rule applies even to newborns
Age 16 or 17: can usually apply for an adult passport (10-year validity)
Every destination country sets its own validity rule - for example, many EU countries require at least 3 months remaining, while some non-EU countries demand 6 months on the child's passport
Time left on an old passport is not added to the new passport when you renew
Who can apply for a child’s passport?
Application for a child's passport requires parental responsibility from the applicant. Consent is required from either parent with parental responsibility, though only one person needs to submit the form.
Birth mother - always has parental responsibility
Father - if married to the mother at birth, or named on the UK birth certificate
Adoptive parents - once the adoption order is finalised
Guardian or other person granted parental responsibility via court orders
The application form asks for details of both parents. If you are the only parent on the birth certificate, or the sole adopter, you must explain this. A child aged 16 or 17 can apply without parental consent. Children's services can apply for passports without parental consent under care orders, but must provide the relevant court documentation. All individuals with parental responsibility must consent to a name change on the passport.
Documents you need for a child passport
You must send original documents or official copies - a photocopy of any document is not accepted. Applying for a child's uk passport involves several key steps and documents, starting with gathering the right paperwork.
First child passport:
Full birth certificate showing both parents, or adoption certificate
Proof of British nationality if not obvious from the birth certificate
At least one piece of photo identity for each parent (current passport or driving licence)
Any relevant court orders affecting parental responsibility or permission to travel
Renewal: You normally only need the child's old passport, unless there has been a name change. If the child uses a new name, send supporting evidence such as a deed poll, parental marriage certificate, or court order. Certified translations are required for non-English documents. Laminated documents and uncertified photocopies will be rejected.
Child passport photos and confirming your child’s identity
Getting an acceptable photo often takes several attempts, especially for babies. HM Passport Office applies strict standards, though relaxed rules exist for children under 1.
Plain light background, in colour, no filters or shadows
No toys, dummies, or hats - eyes open where possible
Neutral expression for children aged 6 and over
Digital photos must be at least 600 × 750 pixels for online uploads
A countersignatory must certify your child's photo for every first child passport and for children under 12 on renewal. Children under 12 may require a digital referee for identity confirmation. You need someone to confirm your child's identity who is a person of good standing, holds a british passport, and has known the parent for at least 2 years. They cannot be a family member. HM Passport Office may also ask you to provide evidence of the child's identity from sources like school records, nhs records, or child benefits correspondence.
How to apply for a first child passport
You can child passport apply in three ways: online via GOV.UK, by paper form from the post office, or through the 1-week Fast Track service if you need a passport urgently. Applying online for a child's passport is the fastest method, costing £66.50 compared to £80 by post.
Online steps:
Create or sign in to a GOV.UK account
Fill in your child's details, nationality evidence, and parent's passport details
Upload a compliant digital photo
Pay by debit or credit card
Submit the application and post any original supporting documents to the passport office
Paper application: Pick up a form at a participating post office, complete and sign the required sections, and send it with your documents. Some branches offer a Check & Send service where staff confirm everything before posting. Common errors include mismatched names, forgetting the countersignature, or omitting the full birth certificate.
Renewing a child’s passport
You can renew a child passport online or by post. Renewal can take up to 10 weeks during busy periods, so start a child's passport renewal at least 6 months before travel.
You must return the child's old passport to HM Passport Office - it is cancelled and usually returned separately
The new passport gets a fresh 5-year validity from the issue date; unused time is not carried over
A countersignature is required for children under 12, and for older children only if they look very different from their old passport photo
To renew online: log in, choose "renew child passport", enter the old passport number and date, upload a new photo, pay, and post the old passport when instructed.
Urgent child passport services and passport office appointments
Families who need a new passport fast can use hm passport office urgent services, though slots fill quickly around school holidays.
The 1-week Fast Track service is available for both first applications and renewals - fast track service for a child's passport costs £156.50
You must book an appointment at a passport office, attend with completed form, photos, and supporting documents, and the passport is delivered roughly one week later
The 1-day Premium service is only for eligible adult passport renewals - it cannot be used for child passports
Someone can sometimes attend on your behalf with proper authorisation and ID
Applying from abroad and using the Post Office
If you are outside the UK, you can apply for a child's uk passport online via GOV.UK, but processing and delivery times are typically longer. Send supporting documents and old passports using secure tracked post to the relevant processing centre.
Inside the UK, post office branches provide paper forms, Check & Send, and sometimes compliant passport photo services. Whether you apply in the UK or abroad, the child's new passport will arrive by secure courier - make sure someone is home to sign for it.
Consent, court orders and who keeps the child’s passport
HM Passport Office must be satisfied that everyone with parental responsibility agrees to the passport application. Objections to passport issuance can be lodged for 12 months by sending a signed and dated letter directly to HM Passport Office.
Where a child is under wardship, no passport can be issued without explicit court permission
There is no fixed legal rule about which parent keeps the child's passport - this is usually agreed between parents, or settled by a specific issue order
Courts can order the surrender of a child's passport to limit travel, and any person holding it may be ordered to hand it in
Tracking, delivery and getting your child’s new passport
After you submit your application, HM Passport Office will send updates by text and email. Online applications can be tracked via a reference number on the GOV.UK page showing when documents are received, when a decision is made, and when the passport is dispatched.
The new passport arrives separately from returned original documents
An extra £5 can be paid for secure document delivery via special delivery, which provides tracking and compensation if items are lost
Do not book travel until you have the passport in hand - check every detail on every page as soon as it arrives, because fixing errors adds weeks to the process
