Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by MyBritishPassport
Topic: Do I have to send in my old UK passport when renewing?
Although renewing your UK passport is slightly more complicated if done from abroad, if you follow the guidelines and adhere to the passport office’s requirements, you should be just fine.
If you are renewing your passport from abroad, you can expect the renewal to take 1 to 2 weeks longer than if you were doing so from within the UK.
One of the most common questions here at MyBritishPassport is, “Do I have to send in my old UK passport when renewing?”. This article will explain everything you need to know about sending in your UK passport when renewing…
Need to renew your British Passport? CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE.
Do I need to send in my old UK passport when renewing?
To answer this common question, yes, you will need to send in your most recently issued British passport when you renew it.
This is done so that HM Passport Office can officially verify your details and compare them against your online passport renewal forms.
Many MyBritishPassport clients become concerned when they hear that they need to send in their current passports, but you can rest assured that the passport office takes very good care of this official document.
What if my UK passport gets lost in transit?
This is another common fear amongst those who need to renew their British passports.
Even though it can happen that your passport could get lost in transit, on its way to the passport office in the UK, if you use a good courier service you should be just fine.
MyBritishPassport does not recommend using the services of the local post office for sending in your old passport. Even if you use the registered mail facility, there is a significant risk that your passport will experience a delay in arriving in the UK. Furthermore, there is a chance that it will not arrive at all.
To prevent this from happening, we strongly advise using a well-known courier service. Should the worst happen and your passport does go missing in transit, you would need to report this to your local police station and then make contact with the British High Commission, Consulate or Embassy in your town or city.
They will then assist you in obtaining a temporary passport, which you could use to send in to the passport office.
Of course, we should stress once again that this is unlikely to happen if you use a good courier company, so don’t worry!
Will the passport office send my old UK passport back to me?
Yes, the good news is that the passport office will send your old passport back to you.
Your old passport will be couriered to you and your new one will arrive in a separate courier. This is to mitigate the risk of one of the documents going missing.
It should be noted that even though you will receive your old passport back, you will not be able to use it again as an official travel document. This is because it will have been cancelled by the passport office and the corners of the cover will also have been cut off.
It is a good idea to keep your old passport, however, as it could help you if your new one goes missing or is stolen. You would then be able to use it to verify your identity with HM Passport Office or at your local British embassy.
Once your new passport has arrived, you will be able to start using it immediately as an official travel document.
Renewing your UK passport from Australia? Find out more here.
Sending passport by mail (UK)
As mentioned, it is not advised by MyBritishPassport to use the local post office for sending your old passport. Even if registered mail is utilized, there is a noteworthy possibility that your passport will encounter a delay in reaching the UK.
Additionally, there is a risk of it not arriving at all. Instead, we recommend using a reliable courier service.
Can I use my old passport while waiting for a new one UK?
The short answer is no, you cannot use your UK passport while it is being renewed, as you will need to send it in to HM Passport Office to be invalidated. Click here to read more.
About MyBritishPassport
MyBritishPassport is a professional British Passport application and renewal assistance service. We help individuals and families with their UK passport applications, renewals and replacements from abroad. Our services include: British Passport renewals, first-time Applications, replacement of lost or stolen passports and more.
We also provide expert advice on the best way to complete your application and can provide accurate guidance on what supporting documentation may be required. In addition, we ensure that your documents are safely couriered to and from HM Passport Office. If you are interested in learning more about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have! Click here to renew your British passport online.
First class service, the staff member responded immediately to emails. Directions were clear, as to what I had to do, when and how. I have recommended the service to my friends here in France when they need to renew their British passport. – Joyce Wise. Click here to read more verified Google reviews.
As you are aware, the UK left the EU at the end of January 2020. This was followed by about 11 months as a transition period until the UK could secure a Brexit deal.
During this time, the official color of the British passport changed from the well-know maroon color to a dark blue. The European Union chip that was present on the cover of UK passports has now also been removed.
In the days before the UK joined the European Union, passports were always blue in color and this is a nod towards tradition.
This means that if you are renewing your UK passport, your new one will be blue.
If your current British passport is still valid but is maroon, you do not need to renew it as it will still be valid as an official travel document. It will, however, be the last time you have a maroon UK passport so enjoy it while it lasts!
The new blue color has been rather controversial recently as many people state that it actually more closely resembles black than blue.
That being said, even though the passport might look black in certain light conditions, it is most definitely blue, albeit a darker blue shade than the pre-EU passports.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, you will need to send in your old passport for renewal, and while the thought of it getting lost in transit may be concerning, choosing a reputable courier service can significantly mitigate this risk. The passport office ensures the safe handling and return of your old passport, allowing you to use your new one immediately upon receipt.
This article has aimed to address common concerns and questions, providing reassurance and clear instructions for those needing to renew their British passport from abroad.
Do I have to send my old passport when renewing UK?
Yes, when renewing your UK passport, you must send in your most recently issued passport along with your application. The team at MyBritishPassport will assist with this process, ensuring your old passport is returned safely to you.
Contact MyBritishPassport
We hope this article has answered your question: “Do I have to send my old passport when renewing (UK)?” MyBritishPassport specialises in British Passport renewals, replacements and applications from abroad. Get in touch with us today.
Infographic: Do I have to send in my old UK passport when renewing?
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Topic: Do I have to send my old passport when renewing (UK)