What documents you need to apply

You must send original documents. Photocopies are not accepted. If you do not have your original certificates (for example, your birth certificate), you need to get an official copy . If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you need to send a certified translation . You can send laminated documents if that’s the only format they are issued in. You were born or adopted in the UK What documents you need depend on when you were born. Before 1 January 1983 You’ll need your full birth certificate or adoption certificate. On or after 1 January 1983 You’ll need your full birth certificate or adoption certificate and either: your mother’s or father’s full UK birth certificate, or the Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or a British passport belonging to one of your parents that was valid when you were born, or a British passport number for either parent evidence of one of your parents’ immigration status in the UK at the time of your birth, for example a foreign passport belonging to one of your parents that was valid when you were born If you send documents relating to your father, you must also send your parents’ marriage certificate. You were born outside the UK What documents you need depend on your circumstances. You have a certificate of naturalisation or registration You’ll need both: your naturalisation or registration certificate the passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on Citizen of a British overseas territory and born before 1 January 1983 You’ll need all of the following: your birth certificate your current passport the passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you’re included on Born before 1 January 1983 and your father was born in the UK You’ll need all of the following: your full birth certificate showing your parents’ details your father’s birth certificate your parents’ marriage certificate the passport you used to come into the UK or foreign passport you’re included on Born on or after 1 January 1983 You’ll need all of the following: your full birth certificate showing your parents’ details the passport you used to come into the UK or any foreign passport that you’re included on evidence of one parent’s British nationality, for example their UK birth or adoption, naturalisation or registration certificate If these documents relate to your father, you must include the marriage certificate showing when he married your mother. Your circumstances are different If your circumstances are not listed, read the guidance booklet to find out what documents you’ll need. If you apply online you’ll be told what documents you need as part of your application. How your documents will be sent back The supporting documents will be returned separately from your passport. How you get them depends on the delivery option you choose when you fill in your application.

To apply online you’ll need: a digital photo of you (or a device that takes digital photos and someone to take your photo) someone who can confirm your identity supporting documents a credit or debit card It costs £88.50. Start your application Apply and pay for your passport online. Start now This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg) . Ask someone to confirm your identity After you’ve paid and submitted your application, you’ll need to ask someone to confirm your identity. Let the person know that they’ll receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They’ll confirm your identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo. Find out who can confirm your identity and what they need to do . Send your documents After the person you asked has confirmed your identity, you’ll receive an email explaining what documents you need to send and where to send them. After you apply, you may be asked to attend an interview .

Apply with a paper form

To apply with a paper form you’ll need: a filled-in application form 2 identical printed passport photos someone who can confirm your identity (a ‘countersignatory’) supporting documents It costs £100. The booklet that comes with the form explains how to pay. It takes longer to apply by post than online. Fill in your application form You can get a paper application form from either: a Post Office that offers the Passport Check and Send service the Passport Adviceline Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9. Your countersignatory will need to fill in section 10. Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application. Get a countersignatory You need to get someone else to confirm your identity (a ‘countersignatory’). They’ll need to: fill in section 10 of your form sign and date one of your photos Find out who can be a countersignatory and what they need to do . Gather your documents and send your application You need to send all of the following: your filled-in application form your supporting documents your 2 passport photos (one of them signed and dated by your countersignatory) To send in your form, documents and photos, you can either: post them using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form take them to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service After you apply, you may be asked to attend an interview .

Passport interviews After you apply, you may need to be interviewed to confirm your identity. If you need an interview, you’ll be contacted after your application has been processed to book it. Video interviews are taking place online. Getting your new passport and supporting documents You’ll receive your new passport by courier or recorded delivery. The supporting documents will be returned separately from your passport. How you get them depends on the delivery option you choose when you fill in your application.

Getting your first adult passport

Who can apply

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.

You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18.

An adult passport is valid for 10 years.

How long it takes

Check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply.

If you need a passport to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline.

Do not book travel until you get your passport.

Ways to apply

If you’re in the UK, you can either:

apply online - it costs £88.50
apply with a paper form - it costs £100

There’s a different way to apply if you’re overseas.

If you have a non-British passport

If you have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) and have a non-British passport, the name and gender on your non-British passport must match the name and gender you want on your British passport.

If they’re different, change the details on your non-British passport before you apply for a new British passport.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Getting your first adult passport

Who can apply

How long it takes

Ways to apply

If you have a non-British passport

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Getting your first adult passport

Who can apply

How long it takes

Ways to apply

If you have a non-British passport

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