First British Passport

An adult passport is valid for 10 years. You can use your child’s passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18.

You can apply for a first adult passport if all of the following apply:

• you’re a British national;
• you’re aged 16 or over (or will be in 3 weeks);
• you’ve never had a UK passport before.

You must also apply if your last UK passport was issued before 1 January 1994.

It takes at least 6 weeks to get your first UK adult passport. Don’t book travel until you’ve got it. Her Majesty’s Passport Office may ask to interview you as part of the application process.

If you’re in the UK, you can either:

• apply online – it costs £82.50;
• get one from a Post Office that offers the Passport Check & Send service – it costs £93.

Following your application, you can be invited to an interview where your identification will be verified. Throughout the course of the 30-minute interview, you can be asked personal questions like your name and address. You might also be questioned concerning your relationship, parents, or kids.

The name and gender on your non-British passport must match the name and gender you wish to have on your British passport if you have dual citizenship, sometimes known as “dual nationality”.

Before applying for a new British passport, update the information on your non-British passport if they are different.

A parent or someone with parental responsibility for the child must apply for the passport.

Details about both parents must be provided when applying. You must explain why you are unable to share the other parent’s information, such as the fact that you are the sole parent listed on the birth certificate or that you independently adopted the child.

On average, it takes up to three weeks to receive a child’s passport. Do not book travel until your child has a valid passport.

You will need the information and signatures of both parents or any other person with parental responsibility to apply for a passport for your children. If you are unable to supply this information, you will need to draft a written statement outlining your situation. Children must sign the application form if they are 12 to 15 years old.

To apply for a British passport for your child, you must provide specific documentation. The UKVI will accept only original documents or official copies of certificates. Certified copies and photocopies are not accepted and will make your application invalid.

Along with your British passport application form, you must submit:

• the complete birth or adoption certificate for your child. Should the name on your 
 passport differ from the one on your birth certificate, you will need to present at least one proof of the new name being used in official records along with a signed letter verifying the name change from any parent or guardian;
• any previous valid passport from a different country belonging to your child;
• evidence that your child is a British national.