British Passport Renewal Requirements

British passports or birth registrations through descent

• Applicant’s original full birth or naturalisation – See Explanation of certificates here.
• Applicants born in South Africa – See Explanation of certificates here.
• Applicant’s current passport or an Identity Document or driver’s license, as long as the applicant’s details and photograph are on the document. 
• Father of applicant’s original full birth or naturalisation certificate – See Explanation of certificates here.
• Mother of applicant’s original full birth or naturalisation certificate – See Explanation of certificates here.
• Parents of applicant’s original full marriage certificate – See Explanation of certificates here.
• Father and/or Mother of applicant’s British passport/s if available (a colour photocopy of the photo/biometric page will be accepted)

Additional Documents needed – if applicable 

• Name change – An official original name change document from the relevant department (or deed poll) must be submitted if the applicant uses a different first and/or middle name or a different last name/family name to the one on the birth certificate. 
• If the name change is through marriage, provide an original full marriage certificate*. If the applicant was married more than once, provide all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates – *See Explanation of certificates here.
• Dual Citizenship – Applicant must submit a full colour copy (every page including blank pages) of any current or expired passport/s (non – British passport) from other countries that haven’t been cancelled. The United Kingdom allows dual citizenship. 
• Naturalisation – If anyone was naturalised inside the UNITED KINGDOM (applicant/father/mother) submit an original certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen or as a citizen of the United Kingdom. 
• Parents of minors – any court orders (for example that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements). 
• If an application is submitted from a country that is not the country where the applicant was born, provide the passport or travel documents used to enter the country where applying from. Also provide an explanation why not applying from the country of birth (if this applies). 
• Proof of identity – ONE of the following that has your photo on it:

Non-British passport that hasn’t expired, national identity card (a colour photocopy will do), any government or local government produced document. 

Each new application is unique with different requirements; therefore, an applicant will be advised what documents will be needed when submitting a completed application form.

*Explanation of certificates

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom

Only original versions of certificates or original government certified/issued  replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce) will be accepted as supporting documents. NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that are not in English – including documents showing an address – must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Applications from South Africa – additional note:

Applicants born in South Africa – ONLY a Vault birth certificate of the applicant will be accepted. A vault birth certificate is a copy of the original registration form completed by the parents when a birth was registered. It is a photocopy of the original, stamped and signed by a Department of Home Affairs Officer. An applicant’s unabridged birth certificate will be accepted ONLY IF it was issued within 12 months of birth).

First-time Passport Application processing time: +/- 1 – 3 months. Varies according to each individual application.

Birth Registration Applications through descent processing time: +/- 3-6 months. Varies according to each individual application.

Click here for more information on first-time passport applications and birth registrations by descent.

A lost or stolen British Passport must be reported to the local Police Department in the country where the applicant resides, a Police report must be obtained.  Additional supporting documents or information might be requested by Her Majesty’s Passport Office when applying for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport, which may cause some delays with the issuing of your new replacement passport. Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “Renewals”. Unfortunately, in some cases, the same criteria will apply as for a first-time application, including all supporting documents, depending on the issue and expiry dates of your lost/stolen passport. Click here to get a Quote Click here to complete a Passport Online Application form.

Additional Documents needed – if applicable 

• Name change – An official original name change document from the relevant department (or deed poll) must be submitted if the applicant uses a different first and/or middle name or a different last name/family name to the one on the birth certificate. 
• If the name change is through marriage, provide an original full marriage certificate*. If the applicant was married more than once, provide all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates – *See Explanation of certificates here.
• Dual Citizenship – Applicant must submit a full colour copy (every page including blank pages) of any current or expired passport/s (non – British passport) from other countries that haven’t been cancelled. The United Kingdom allows dual citizenship. 
• Naturalisation – If anyone was naturalised inside the UNITED KINGDOM (applicant/father/mother) submit an original certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen or as a citizen of the United Kingdom. 
• Parents of minors – any court orders (for example that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements). 
• If an application is submitted from a country that is not the country where the applicant was born, provide the passport or travel documents used to enter the country where applying from. Also provide an explanation why not applying from the country of birth (if this applies). 
• Proof of identity – ONE of the following that has your photo on it:

Non-British passport that hasn’t expired, national identity card (a colour photocopy will do), any government or local government produced document. 

Each new application is unique with different requirements; therefore, an applicant will be advised what documents will be needed when submitting a completed application form.

Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “Renewals”. Unfortunately, in some cases, the same criteria will apply as for a first-time application, including all supporting documents, depending on the issue and expiry dates of your damaged passport. Click here to get a Quote Click here to complete a Passport Online Application form.

Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “Renewals”.

A British passport renewal application must be submitted in the event of marriage, divorce, civil partnership or other reasons if you want to do a name change in your passport. Your existing current British passport will be cancelled with immediate effect and will be replaced with a new British passport in the new name.

The following will be needed to prove your name change:

• An official original name change document from the relevant department (or deed poll) must be submitted if the applicant uses a different first and/or middle name or a different last name/family name to the one on the birth certificate.
• If the name change is through marriage, provide an original full marriage certificate*. If the applicant was married more than once, provide all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates* See *Explanation of certificates lower down.
• When reverting to a previous name, an official certified letter from you will be needed declaring your name change and proof of the same.

*Explanation of certificates

• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom

Only original versions of certificates or original government certified/issued  replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce) will be accepted as supporting documents. NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that are not in English – including documents showing an address – must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Click here to get a Quote Click here to complete a Passport Online Application form.

• ADULT – 16 years or older (or will be 16 years within two weeks)
• CHILD – 15 years or younger

Passport Renewal delivery time: +/- 3 – 4 weeks or sooner. Click here to get a Quote Click here to complete a Passport Online Application form.

Only original versions of certificates or original government certified/issued  replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce) will be accepted as supporting documents. NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that are not in English – including documents showing an address – must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Documents that aren’t in English, including documents showing an address, must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Old passports and original documents will be returned after examination.

UK Passport application interviews became compulsory for first time adult applications. Interviews are done at a local Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where the first-time adult applicant lives. Interviews are randomly chosen. Not all applicants will be called in for an interview.

Each application is unique with different requirements; therefore, an applicant will be advised what documents will be needed when submitting a completed application form.

Explanation of certificates

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom

*Applications from South Africa – additional notes:

*Applicants born in South Africa – ONLY a Vault birth certificate of the applicant will be accepted. A vault birth certificate is a copy of the original registration form completed by the parents when a birth was registered. It is a photocopy of the original, stamped and signed by a Department of Home Affairs Officer. An applicant’s unabridged birth certificate will be accepted ONLY IF it was issued within 12 months of birth)

British citizenship through descent is only transferable to one generation down from the parent who is a British citizen (born or naturalised in the United Kingdom), if the child is born abroad (outside the United Kingdom). Or if a parent was naturalized before the birth of the applicant. Unfortunately British citizenship cannot be transferred from grandparents to grandchildren.

Anyone can apply for an Emergency Travel Document if one needs to travel urgently while an application for a UK passport renewal is being processed but has not been received yet. Your application for a renewal must be submitted first to be able to apply for an emergency travel document.

Your local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate where you reside can issue an Emergency Travel Document. This document will allow you to travel abroad up to a maximum of 5 countries and will cover your return to the country you apply from, where you reside.

If it is approved, you may get the document the same day or a few days later in the event of more information being required.

If approved, your Emergency Travel Document will only be valid for the specific travelling plans you supply at the time of application.

You can apply for an emergency travel document (sometimes called an ‘emergency passport’) if you’re abroad, need to travel and cannot get a passport in time.

You usually cannot get an emergency travel document if you’ve never had a UK passport.

What an emergency travel document lets you do:

You can use an emergency travel document to travel to your destination through a maximum of 5 countries. You can also normally use it to return to the country you’re applying from if you live there.

Your travel plans (countries and dates) will be printed on your emergency travel document. If you change your travel plans once you have your emergency travel document, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

You may need a visa to leave the country you’re in or to travel through other countries with your emergency travel document. Check with the embassy or consulate of each country.

If your final destination is the UK, border staff will keep your emergency travel document when you arrive. Border staff at a different final destination might also keep the document.

How to apply

• You need to apply online.
• It costs £100 to apply for an emergency travel document.

You might need to attend an appointment at your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate after you apply online. You’ll be told after you’ve submitted your application whether you need an appointment.

You’ll need to give a contact telephone number and email address as part of your application.

Click here to apply: https://www.apply-emergency-travel-document.service.gov.uk/