British Passport Renewal

Renew or replace your adult British passport

Adult British passports last for a validity period of 10 years, but when used for travel many countries require a certain amount of validity left before expiry to admit entry. A passport must be renewed if it:

• Has already expired
• Is due to expire in a timeframe which will prohibit travel

A passport must be replaced if it:

• Is lost, stolen or damaged
• Has inaccurate or out-of-date personal details on

If you’re unsure of whether you still hold a valid passport or not, or need an urgent passport replacement or renewal, call +44 (0)333 414 9244 to talk through your situation with IAS immigration lawyers.

How to renew a British passport

There are three ways in which to renew your British adult passport: online, in person with a paper application form, or from overseas when resident elsewhere in the world.

The processes for each do vary somewhat, dependent on where you are when you want to renew your passport and how you hope to renew it. The following options are available:

Renewing a British Passport Online

1. Take a digital passport photo

When applying online, a digital photo is required rather than a physical one. This photo must still meet passport standards, and must be no older than one month – even if your appearance has not substantially changed since your last passport photo was taken.

A digital passport photo can be processed either from an existing passport photo booth (where a code will be provided for onward submission into the online application form), or through a photo meeting the standards taken on a phone or digital device.

2. Complete online application form

The online application form is completed online on the GOV.UK website. This includes the input of an updated digital photo and any new personal information.

3. Pay passport renewal fee

The passport renewal fee is payable online at the end of the application form submission, either by credit or debit card.

4. Send old passport to HM Passport Office

Once the application fee has been paid and the online application form submitted, an addreas will be displayed on the applicant’s screen. The existing passport should be posted to this address, and the passport renewal will be processed when it is received.

5. New passport dispatched

Once the HM Passport Office have verified the application and received the old passport, they will issue a new adult passport and send it to the applicant’s address.

Renewing British Passport Using Paper Application Form

1. Take physical passport photo

The applicant must have taken physical photos to passport standards to submit along with their paper application form. These are usually taken and printed at passport-compliant photo booths.

2. Complete application form

The paper application form can be collected from either a Post Office or HM Passport Office. This is to be completed wholly and accurately, as best to the applicant’s knowledge.

3. Visit Post Office

The application form, old passport and passport photos are taken to a Post Office that offers its Paper Check and Send service. A qualified post office worker will check over the application form and photos and advise of any required changes. The passport renewal fee is paid at this point, and the Post Office submits the form and photos at this point along with the old or expired passport.

4. New passport dispatched

Once the HM Passport Office have verified the application and received the old passport, they will issue a new adult passport and send it to the applicant’s address.

Renew UK passport overseas

Where a British citizen is currently resident overseas but needs to renew their UK passport, they may do so online. The process varies dependent on the country or territory within which the national is resident, and may require an in-person visit to a British Embassy or Consulate.

To learn more on how to renew your UK passport while you’re elsewhere, call +44 (0)333 414 9244 to talk through the process with an IAS immigration expert.

Required documents for British passport renewal

The renewal of a British passport should be done with the submission of several evidential documents demonstrating the applicant’s eligibility for a new one. These include:

• (If online) The whole application form as shown on-screen; the form will adapt to the requirements of the applicant
• (If a paper application form for an adult aged 16+) Sections 1, 2, 3 and 9 of the renewal application form
• (If a paper application form for a child aged 12-15) Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 of the renewal application form
• (If a paper application form for an adult aged u12) Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 of the renewal application form
• The old/expired passport (even if damaged)
• (If online) A digital photo to passport standards, taken no more than one month prior
• (If a paper application form) Physical photos to passport standards, taken no more than one month prior
• A credit or debit card for the payment of the passport renewal fee

Passport photo standards

A new passport photo must be submitted with a passport renewal application, even if the physical appearance of the applicant has not altered. There are set standards that passport photos must meet, including:

• The quality must be clear and in focus
• The photo must be in colour
• The photo must be unaltered by any digital software
• (If digital) The photo must be at least 600px x 750px
• (If digital) The file must be at least 50KB but no more than 10MB

The applicant must:

• Be in the photo alone with no other people or objects
• Be photographed against a plain light-coloured background
• Be in clear contrast to the background
• Not have ‘red eye’
• Be facing forward and looking straight at the camera
• Have eyes open and visible with no hair or other obstruction in front of them
• Have no facial or head covering unless for religious or medical reasons
• Have no shadows on the face or behind them
• Not wear glasses unless required – if they must be worn, they must not be tinted and the frames, any glare, reflection or shadow must not cover the eyes

For a child’s passport, it is often a little trickier to take a photo to passport standards. Child’s passport applicants must follow all of the above guidelines, as well as:

• Not holding anything
• Not holding or sucking on a dummy
• If under 6, children do not have to be looking directly at the camera or carry a neutral expression
• If under 1, children do not have to have their eyes open
• If under 1 or medically required, adults may support a child’s head with their hand providing the hand is not visible in the photo
• If under 1 or medically required, the child may be lying on a light coloured sheet rather than sitting up

For advice on passport photos, speak to IAS on +44 (0)333 414 9244 and ensure you’re compliant with the rules.

How much does it cost to renew a British passport?

The cost to renew a British passport depends on how you apply. The fees are as follows:

• 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

The Post Office charge additional fees for their ‘Check and Send’ service, which is offered at some branches.

Passport photos vary in cost dependent on the vendor.

How long does it take to renew a British passport?

The time it takes to process a British passport renewal depends on how you apply. The average waiting times are as follows:

• Online renewal applications, 3 weeks – longer if a HM Passport Office interview or additional information are requested
• Paper renewal applications, 5-6 weeks – longer if a HM Passport Office interview or additional information are requested

Services take longer in periods of high demand. Overseas applications can take considerably longer. Fast Track Services can be booked directly at a HM Passport Office for a higher fee if a passport renewal is required urgently. Call +44 (0)333 414 9244 to speak to IAS about your options.

How Can IAS Help?

Travel rules change all of the time and it can be stressful to navigate your passport renewal and replacements with plenty of time to still permit travel. IAS are immigration experts who work with individuals around the world to get the travel documents and permissions they need to holiday, live, work and study globally.

Call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to discuss your situation and let our expert advisors take the stress out of your passport renewal; no matter how many family members you have to process, photos you have to take or complexities your nationality faces.