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British Passport Application

Applying for a British Passport is the last step of your UK citizenship journey. You can use this document to prove your status as a British national.

Call us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 for immediate help & assistance with your passport application. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

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    Benefits of Choosing IAS’ Immigration Lawyers

    At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

    Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

    Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

    A personalised Letter of Representation to help compile a compelling case for approval

    Continued support from your lawyer in the event of any complications.

    Regardless of what your personal immigration query might be, IAS is here to help and support you. Call us or enquire online to learn more about how we can help you.

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    Eligibility Requirements for British Passport Application in 2025

    You can submit your British Passport application process once you have become a British citizen, British overseas citizen or a British protected person. A passport will let you prove your status as a UK national, either after registration or naturalisation.

    A passport is a travel document that will allow you to enter and leave the country free from immigration controls. It can also be used as proof of identity for accessing benefits and services and also represents proof of right to work, study and live permanently in the UK.

    Our team of immigration lawyers can help you submit your form or apply for a British Passport for your children.

    How to Apply for a British Passport – Step by Step Guide

    You can request your passport via one of the following methods:

    • Online. This is the cheapest and easiest way to apply since the application wizard will guide you through each step of the process.
    • Post Office Check & Send Service. Your local Post Office will take care of checking your bundle of documents, and they will send it to HM Passport Office by Special Delivery. You will be charged an additional fee for this service.
    • Post. You can directly send your application, along with your supporting documents, to the UKVI. You must not forget to attach the correct postage to your envelope.
    • By appointment. The 1-day Premium and 1-week Fast Track services are only available upon appointment. 1-day Premium costs £207.50, and 1-week Fast Track costs £166.50 for an adult passport and £135.50 for a child passport.

    If you are applying from abroad, you must follow a different procedure. The process you will have to go through will depend on the particular rules of the country you are applying from.

    To avoid any delay in your application, it is essential to fill in each part of your form correctly. When completing your documents, you should keep in mind the following:

    • The name on your passport should match the name that appears on your documentation.
    • If you have changed your name, you must use your new name on your application.
    • You must list all your maiden or previous names.
    • You must enter details of any previous UK passport that you have held.
    • To apply for an adult passport, you must be aged 16 or over (or will be in three weeks from the date of your request).
    • An adult passport is valid for 10 years.
    • If you hold a child passport, you can use it until it expires even if you are over 18.

    Gather Documents Required for British Passport Application

    A key step of applying for a British passport is submitting supporting documents. You must ensure that you send only your original documents. Photocopies are not accepted, but you can get an official copy of the evidence that you are not able to gather.

    The following are the documents required to apply for your first British passport:

    • Your birth or adoption certificate (if you were born in the UK before January 1983)
    • Evidence of one of your parents’ immigration status (if you were born in the UK after January 1983)
    • Your certificate or naturalization or registration, if you were born abroad
    • Your supporting documents
    • Someone who can confirm your identity (if you are applying with a paper form)

    If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must also provide a certified translation.

    Find a Suitable Counter-signatory

    A counter-signatory is someone of your choice who can confirm your identity. Their role is to confirm that they have known you personally for at least two years and that, to the best of their knowledge, the information you have provided in your application is correct.

    Your countersignatory must:

    • Be a UK or Irish citizenship, and currently living in the UK
    • Be a professional person or be recognised as “a person of good standing in their community”
    • Not be related to you by birth or marriage, nor in a personal relationship with you
    • Not be living at your address
    • Not be working for the Home Office

    You will not need a countersignatory if you are applying online or from abroad.

    How Much Does a British Passport Cost?

    The cost of your British passport will vary depending on the type of application you are making, and from where you are submitting your form.

    If you are applying from the UK, you will be charged as follows:

    Adult British Passport:

    • Online applications for Standard 34-page Adult (16 and over) British passport: £88.50
    • Paper applications for Standard 34-page Adult (16 and over) British passport: £100
    • Online applications for Adult (16 and over) 54-page frequent traveller British passport: £100.50
    • Paper applications for Adult (16 and over) 54-page frequent traveller British passport: £112
    • People born on or before 2 September 1929 do not have to pay any fees to obtain a British passport.

    Child British Passport:

    • Online applications for Standard 34-page Child (under 16) British passport: £57.50
    • Paper applications for Standard 34-page Child (under 16) British passport: £69
    • Online applications for Child (under 16) 54-page frequent traveller British passport: £69.50
    • Paper applications for Child (under 16) 54-page frequent traveller British passport: £81

    How Long Does it Take to get a UK Passport?

    As this will be your first adult British passport, the application process may take a little longer. Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) will need to carry out more checks on your British passport application to ensure you are entitled to it.

    When you apply for a British passport, allow at least six weeks for your passport application to be processed. You have to send your existing travel documents with your application. So it is important not to book any travel until after you have received your British passport.

    Will my Supporting Documents be Returned?

    All your documentation will be returned separately from your passport once your application is completed. If you wish, you can pay an additional charge for a secure delivery, that will let you track your package. You will be responsible for providing a valid UK address where your documents and passport will be delivered.

    Any personal information used or provided during your interview will be destroyed after your passport is issued.

    If you need support with your passport application, you can get in touch with our LondonManchester, or Birmingham immigration lawyers, or alternatively, use the office finder to find the closest branch to you.

    First British Passport Application for a Child

    As long as your child is a British Citizen, they will be eligible to hold a British passport. Once issued, a child passport lasts for five years.

    When applying for a child passport, the parent or guardian must sign the form and act as the official applicant. Both parents’ details must be given when the application is made.

    If you cannot provide the details of one of the parents, you must include a letter to say why this is. This letter could be necessary if, for example, you are the only parent named on the birth certificate, or you adopted the child as a single parent.

    The cost of applying for a child passport is £57.50 if done online or £69 if making a paper application.

    If your child is not a British Citizen, our expert immigration lawyers can advise you on the UK immigration rules and your child’s eligibility. We can discuss the documentation and forms required to make a British passport application with you as part of our Advice Package.

    My British Passport Application Has Been Refused

    It can be a frustrating and expensive experienced when your British passport application is denied. As immigration lawyers, we can advise you on how to submit the strongest possible application for a British passport.

    Below are some of the reasons why your British passport application may be refused.

    Reasons why a passport application can be refused

    • If the Passport Office cannot verify all the details on an application, they may refuse to issue a passport
    • If a person is being investigated for citizenship deprivation purposes
    • Incomplete application
    • Inaccurate information
    • Unpaid application fee
    • The suspicion that the applicant intends to use the passport for terrorism-related or serious, organised criminal activities

    In order to avoid your British passport application being refused, you should meet the following criteria:

    • You can provide proof of your identity
    • You are eligible for a British passport based on your citizenship status
    • There are no other reasons why your passport should be refused

    We can assist you if your passport application was refused. Contact us today to get advice from a dedicated immigration lawyer.

    British Passport Validity and Renewal

    An adult British passport is valid for ten years, while a child passport is issued for five years.

    If your passport expires or if you lose the document that you can apply for a renewal or replacement. The cost of a British passport renewal/replacement is:

    • Adult passport renewal online application -£88.50
    • Adult passport renewal paper application – 100
    • Child passport renewal online application – £57.50
    • Child passport renewal paper application – £69

    You must also take in to account any additional processing fees if you opt to use the Post Office Check and Send system and the cost of having new passport photographs taken.

    How can IAS help?

    At IAS, we understand the importance a passport can have on your freedom and peace of mind.

    Our immigration lawyers can assist you through each stage of the application process.

    One of our lawyers will assist you by:

    • checking your documents to ensure that they are sufficient for your application;
    • liaising with the Home Office during the application process;
    • writing a Letter of Representation to support your application; and
    • completing each part of your British passport application form to the highest standard.

    Contact us on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or use our online contact form for more information on your British passport application.

    We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    In order to be able to apply for a British passport, you must have been granted naturalised status. You will need your Certificate of Naturalisation to apply for your passport if you are not British by birth or descent.

    Your passport will be valid for ten years but can be withdrawn or suspended at any time. You may not be able to get a new passport, or your existing passport may be taken from you, if any of the following apply:

    • You are a suspect in a serious crime and there is a warrant for your arrest
    • A court order prevents you from having a UK passport, or places restrictions on your travel
    • You have been brought back to the UK at the government’s expense and have not repaid what you owe
    • There is a European Union or United Nations order that restricts your travel

    More on the naturalisation application process

    Before you apply for your British passport, you will need to gather some essential documents for your first British passport. As a naturalised citizen, you will need your Naturalisation Certificate and the passport that you used to come to the UK as a foreign national. You cannot send photocopies and only original travel documents will be accepted.

    In addition to your original travel documents, you will also need to send two identical photos which will need to be countersigned by a person of good standing in the community. If you are applying from within the UK, the counter-signatory will need to live in the UK and hold a British passport.

    They will be required to sign your application and photograph to confirm that they have known you for more than two years, that the photo is a likeness of you and that, as far as they are aware, the information you have provided is correct.

    They need to write the following statement on the back of one photo: “I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].” They may be contacted by HM Passport Office to confirm the information and this can delay the process if they are unreachable for any reason.

    Depending on your circumstances, you may be summoned for an interview to confirm your passport application. This must be booked at your local HM Office.

    The interview will take about 30 minutes. If it is successful, your case will be finalised, but you will still have to wait for your passport to be delivered to you.

    When submitting a photograph for a UK passport application you should ensure they meet the strict requirements. The images must be in colour and in focus. They should not have been edited and will need to be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall and have a file size between 50KB and 10MB.

    For physical printed photographs they should be standard passport size of 45mm by 35mm and must not be cut from a larger photograph.

    The person in the photo should be:

    • be facing forward and looking at the camera
    • have a plain expression with no smiling
    • have eyes open and visible
    • not have hair in front of eyes
    • not have a head covering (unless for religious or medical reasons)
    • not have anything covering the face
    • not have any shadows on the face or behind
    • glasses can be worn but they must not be sunglasses or tinted

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    Immigration Advice Service
    Ashwood House, Ellen Street
    Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

    Head Office Phone:

    +44 (0)333 414 9244

    We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

    Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below.

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