Get a passport urgently

Printable version

1. How to apply

You can pay to get your passport sooner if you’ve not already applied and you think the standard service will take too long.

You need to book a passport office appointment and pay online. You can book an appointment up to 3 weeks in advance.

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 instead.

Who can apply

You can apply for a faster service if both:

  • you’re in the UK
  • you need to renew, replace or update a passport, or get a first child passport

When you cannot apply

If you’re outside the UK, apply for an emergency travel document.

If you’re applying for a first adult passport, use the standard service.

If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not pay for an urgent passport - you will not get your passport sooner. You might be able to upgrade your existing application instead.

Ways to apply

There are 2 ways to apply for an urgent passport.

As part of the application, you’ll need to attend an appointment at your nearest passport office.

Online Premium

You get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments last up to 30 minutes.

You can use this service to renew an adult passport.

Use the Online Premium service.

1 week Fast Track

Your new passport is delivered to your home within 7 days of your appointment (excluding bank holidays). Someone might need to be in to sign for it.

You can use this service to:

  • renew an adult or child passport
  • change your name on your passport (for example with a marriage certificate or deed poll)
  • make changes to your personal details on your passport (for example, your gender)
  • replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
  • apply for a first child passport

Use the 1 week Fast Track service.

2. Online Premium service

You’ll apply, pay and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days from when you apply.

You’ll get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments can last up to 30 minutes.

It costs £193.50 (or £204.50 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport).

You can only use Online Premium to renew an adult passport that was issued after 31 December 2001.

If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not use the Online Premium service - you will not get your passport sooner. You might be able to upgrade your existing application instead.

Apply, book an appointment and pay

To use the Online Premium service you’ll need:

  • your old passport
  • a device that takes digital photos (like a smartphone, tablet or digital camera) and someone to take your photo
  • a digital photo of you

Apply, book an appointment and pay

What to bring to your appointment

You need to bring your old passport.

You can ask someone else to go to your appointment for you. They’ll need to bring:

  • your old passport
  • a signed and dated letter from you, naming them and giving them permission to collect the passport
  • their ID (for example passport or driving licence)

Changing or cancelling your appointment

Call the Passport Adviceline to change or cancel your appointment. It’s free if your appointment is more than 48 hours away.

You cannot change your appointment if it’s less than 48 hours away. You can cancel it and get a refund, but you will be charged a £30 admin fee. You’ll need to apply again.

If you miss your appointment, your application will be cancelled and you will not get a refund. You’ll have to apply and pay again.

Do not book more than one appointment for the same application. Additional appointments will be cancelled and you’ll be charged a £30 admin fee for each one.

3. 1 week Fast Track service

It costs:

  • £155 for an adult passport (or £166 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport)
  • £126 for a child passport (or £137 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport)

You can use the 1 week Fast Track to:

  • renew an adult or child passport that has expired or that is about to expire
  • change personal details on your passport (for example your name, place of birth or gender)
  • replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
  • apply for a first child passport

If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not use the 1 week Fast Track service - you will not get your passport sooner. You might be able to upgrade your existing application instead.

What you need to do

  1. Get a paper application form from a Post Office - you cannot apply online.

  2. Book an appointment online and pay the fee.

  3. Fill in your application form and gather your documents before your appointment.

Book an appointment and pay by card

When you have an application form, you can book an appointment online.

Book an appointment and pay by card

If you cannot use the online service

You can book an appointment and pay over the phone if any of the following apply:

  • you cannot use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
  • you do not have a debit or credit card

Call the Passport Adviceline to book and pay.

What to bring to your appointment

You need:

If you cannot go to your appointment

You can change or cancel your appointment or send someone in your place.

Changing or cancelling your appointment

Use the link in your confirmation email to change or cancel your appointment. It’s free if your appointment is more than 48 hours away.

You cannot change your appointment if it’s less than 48 hours away. You can cancel it and get a refund, but you will be charged a £30 admin fee. You’ll need to book again.

If you miss your appointment, you will not get a refund. You’ll have to book and pay again.

Sending someone in your place

If you’re in the UK, you can ask someone to go to your appointment for you. They’ll need to bring: