The basics

If you live overseas – you can apply for a passport at many British embassies, consulates and high commissions. You can also apply to renew your passport while you are visiting the UK. To do this, you need to make an appointment with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in person. You must also provide an address in the UK, to enable us to post the passport to you. You will have to be available at this address to sign for your passport.

If you are resident in the UK – the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications. You’ll find all the forms you need, and instructions, on the IPS website.

The process

1. Print out the application form from the list below. We have provided guidance notes to help you to complete your application. Please note that the forms below are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To open them on screen and print them out, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4 or above). You can download it free of charge from the Adobe website.
2. Once you have printed out and completed the forms, please initial each page in the box provided. We cannot accept your application if this is not done. If an applicant is unable to write, their thumbprint in the signature box may be accepted. In this case, you must provide a letter from a responsible person - such as a relative, doctor or the counter-signatory- confirming the reason(s) why the applicant is unable to sign. The counter-signatory does not need to witness the thumbprint.
3. You must also include two identical passport photographs, taken within the last month. The quality, style and appearance of passport photographs must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). You'll find further information on the requirements on the IPS website.
4. Send your form, supporting documents and the fee (in local currency) to a British consulate, embassy or high commission. You’ll find a list of fees on the IPS website.

 

Application forms

Form C1: Please complete form C1 if you are over the age of 16, and are renewing your UK passport overseas and are a British citizen, Dependant Territories Citizen, British Overseas or British protected person. This form should not be used if you are a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong. In this case, please use form BNO-A instead.

C1 Form (PDF, 205K)
C1 Notes (PDF, 120 K)
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form C2: Please complete form C2 if you are under the age of 16, and are  renewing a United Kingdom passport overseas and are a British citizen, Dependant Territories Citizen, British Overseas or British protected person. This form should not be used if you are a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong. In this case, please use form BNO-B instead.

C2 Form (PDF, 70K)
C2 Notes (PDF, 34K)
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form BNO-A: Please complete form BNO-A if you are over the age of 16 and renewing a passport overseas as a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong.

BNO-A Form    BNO-A Notes
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form BNO-B: Please complete form BNO-B if you are under the age of 16, and are renewing a passport overseas as a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong.

BNO-B Form    BNO-B Notes
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Renewing your passport whilst visiting the UK

To renew whilst visiting the UK, you need to make an appointment with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in person. You must also provide an address in the UK, to enable us to post the passport to you. You will have to be available at this address to sign for your passport.

Resident in the UK

If you are resident in the UK the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deal with all passport applications. You’ll find all the forms you need, and instructions, on the IPS website.

Free passports for those born before 2 September 1929

British nationals born before 2 September 1929 are now eligible to receive passports free of charge. These applications have to be processed in Liverpool, which takes roughly eight weeks. You’ll need to use a different application form, and these are available from British embassies, consulates & high commissions. If you are overseas, these applications should be sent to the nearest passport-processing British embassy, consulate or high commission.

You need to read this page along with Applying for a UK passport in thecountry you are in to have all the information you need to apply foryour passport.

The basics

There is a single application process when applying:

• for your first UK passport
• to renew your UK passport
• to replace a UK passport.

There are different forms to use for adults and children. BritishNationals (Overseas) who have a connection with Hong Kong have theirown application forms.

People born on or before 2 September 1929 areeligible for free UK passports. They must be use the Identity andPassport Service (IPS) application form to apply for this passport.These forms are available from your local embassy, consulate or highcommission.

Make sure you use the right form. You must also make sure that you complete it correctly.

Our staff will not be able to process your application and there maybe a delay in issuing the passport if you use the wrong form or do notcomplete it properly.

All full, new UK passports use facial biometrics. You must make surethat the passport photographs you provide meet the required standardsset by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

More information about the standards for passport photographs
Download IPS Guide to taking a good photo for your passport (PDF, 301KB)

Applying for a passport overseas

If you are a UK citizen you can apply for a UK passport at many British embassies, consulates and high commissions.

Thedocuments and information you need to provide when applying for apassport varies for different countries. But the application processwithin each country is the same. You can find out about the exactinformation and which documents you will need to provide when makingyour passport application from our 'Passport Documents' page.

Applying for a passport in the UK

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications for UK residents living in Britain.

However, if you are resident overseas, but are visiting the UK, you can also renew your passport during your trip.

To renew your passport while you are in the UK, you need to make anappointment to do this in person with the Identity and PassportServices (IPS). You also need to provide the IPS with a residentialaddress in the UK so they can post your passport to you. You will haveto be available to that address to sign for the passport when it issent to you.

More information about the Identity and Passport Service

Interview

You may be asked to attend an interview as part of your passport application.

Some first time adult applicants will have to attend a compulsoryinterview. A small number of other applicants may also have to attendan interview.

The purpose of the interview is to make sure that the applicant is who they say they are.

The interview is one of a number of changes by the UK Identity andPassport Service that aim to improve the integrity and security of UKpassports by helping to:

• fight passport fraud and forgery
• protect the UK public from identity theft
• ensure that UK passports remain secure and respected throughout the world.

Our staff will inform you if you have to attend an interview after you have sent in your passport application.

The application process

Print and complete the correct application form. Use the guidancenotes to help you. We accept forms printed in black and white. You canalso pick up application forms in person from UK consulates, embassiesor high commissions.

Make sure you write your initials in the box on each page of theform that says ‘Please initial here’. We will not be able to processyour application if you do not do this.

If the applicant is unable to write, they can use their thumbprintinstead. However, they must also provide a letter from a responsiblecounter-signatory such as a doctor or a relative, giving the reasonswhy the applicant cannot sign their initials.

Provide 2 identical passport photographs taken in the last month. The photographs must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Submit your completed applications form, your 2 passportphotographs, your supporting documents and, where applicable, yourprevious passport along with the correct fee in local currency to therelevant British embassy, consulate or high commission. You may alsoneed to include a postal or courier charge.