United Kingdom Passport FAQ

The passport serves as identification and proof of citizenship and gives you the right to travel internationally, so it’s fair to want to know all about your UK passport (if you have it already) or how to get one (if you don’t). Find out about the most frequently asked questions on the UK passport here.

Part 1: UK Passport Application
Part 2: UK Passport Use

Part 1: UK Passport Application

What documents do I need for a first-time passport application?

The documents you need depend on where and when you were born. In short, they are needed to establish citizenship and the right to a UK passport.

Born or adopted in the UK

On or after 1 January 1983

Your full birth certificate;
One of the two:
- Proof of parent(s)’ British citizenship (passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, etc.);
- Evidence of one of your parents’ immigration status in the UK at the time of your birth.

Before 1 January 1983

Full birth certificate or adoption certificate.

Born outside the UK

You were naturalised or have a certificate of registration

Your naturalisation or registration certificate;
The passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on.

You are a citizen of British overseas territory and born before 1 January 1983

Your birth certificate;
Your current passport;
The passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on.

You were born before 1 January 1983, and your father was born in the UK

Your full birth certificate showing your parents’ details;
Your father’s birth certificate;
Your parents’ marriage certificate;
The passport you used to come into the UK or foreign passport you’re included on.

Born on or after 1 January 1983

Your full birth certificate showing your parents’ details;
The passport you used to come into the UK or any foreign passport that you’re included on
Evidence of one parent’s British nationality, for example, their UK birth or adoption, naturalisation or registration certificate
If the above documents are your father’s, the marriage certificate showing when he married your mother must also be included.

How to apply for a British passport online?

To apply for a UK passport online, here are the steps you need to take:

Start your application on gov.uk;
Fill out your details and upload your photo;
Send the needed documents as instructed during your application;
Pay for the application;
Get someone to confirm your identity, if applicable;
Track your application and retrieve the passport when it’s ready.

You can apply for a British passport online from anywhere worldwide, which is especially convenient if you need to renew it abroad.

See: British passport renewal in the U.S.

How to take a passport photo for an electronic passport application?

To get a digital photo for a passport application, you can:

Use a photo booth or a photo studio;
Take one yourself.

One of the cheapest and time-saving ways to take one is to use a specialized passport photo editor. Just download your portrait taken in full-face to the tool below. Visafoto will instantly convert your picture into a compliant UK passport photo applicable both for electronic submission and for printing.

Related: United Kingdom passport photo

The UK passport photo requirements are described in detail here.

How to track my passport application?

The way you can track your passport application depends on how you applied. If you applied online with a digital photo, you could track it at this link. Applications done at a post office can be tracked here.

If you applied by a paper form, call the Passport Adviceline and have the 10-digit barcode number from your application form or 9-digit number on your receipt if you applied at the Post Office ready to be entered to check.

Who can confirm my identity for a passport application?

In some cases, you must confirm the passport applicant's identity. This person must:

Be18 or over;
Live in the UK;
Have a current UK passport;
Have known the person applying for at least two years;
Know the person applying as a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally).

The person must also work in or be retired from a recognised profession. Check the full list on gov.uk.

How much does the British passport cost?

The fee depends on the type (and age), as well as the way of applying.

Online application:

Adult (16 and over) standard 34-page passport: £75.50
Adult (16 and over) 50-page frequent traveller passport: £85.50
Child (under 16) standard 34-page passport: £49
Child (under 16) 50-page frequent traveller passport: £59
Passport for people born on or before 2 September 1929: free.

Paper form application:

Adult (16 and over) standard 34-page passport: £85
Adult (16 and over) 50-page frequent traveller passport: £95
Child (under 16) standard 34-page passport: £58.50
Child (under 16) 50-page frequent traveller passport: £68.50
Passport for people born on or before 2 September 1929: free.

How do you sign a UK passport?

For your passport to be valid for travel, its holder must sign it. You should sign your passport as soon as you get it. If your passport requires you to sign by hand (which means that it does not have a digital signature), then you must sign above the line on the noted field with a black ballpoint pen.

What to do with my old passport?

To protect yourself from identity fraud, you should either keep your expired passport in a safe place or send it to the passport office for it to be safely cancelled and/or destroyed. If you choose to dispose of your old passport, you must securely pack it in a large envelope. Attach a handwritten statement that you would like to dispose of the document. Send the envelope to the UK Passport Office via your local post office.

Part 2: UK Passport Use

Do I need to get a new British passport after Brexit?

Your burgundy British EU passport is still valid up until its expiration date, and there is no need to make a replacement before it expires.

How many countries can a UK passport holder travel to visa-free?

The UK is ranked the 6th strongest passport in the world. Citizens of the United Kingdom can travel to 183 countries, whether visa-free or with an e-visa or a visa-on-arrival.

Do I need a passport for Europe?

Yes, even before Brexit, it is used as proof of identity while travelling, and now after Brexit, it is also needed.

Do I need a passport for domestic flights?

If you travel within the UK (including Northern Ireland), usually no passport is required: a photo ID, such as a driving licence, is enough. But different airlines set different rules, so you better check them beforehand. For land travel, no passport is needed.

Do I need a passport for Ireland?

UK citizens can enter Ireland without a passport, provided they have another official photo ID. However, if you have a passport, it is better to take it with you as proof of nationality.