Guidance

Interview process: caseworker guidance

Tells HM Passport Office staff what an interview is, who must attend, how a customer books an appointment and the types of interviews we offer.

• From: HM Passport Office
• Published: 10 November 2021
• Last updated: 29 July 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 29 July 2026

     This guidance has been updated in the section Who must attend a passport interview to change the interview exemption period for newly naturalised customers applying from the UK to 24 months.

  2. 17 March 2026

     The guidance has been updated. A full list of changes can be found in the 'Changes from last version of this guidance' section.

  3. 10 April 2025

     Updated information about virtual interview appointments and interpreters and confirmed information for examiners about withdrawing an application.

  4. 13 May 2024

     This guidance has been updated to reflect the geographical names index to change the Republic of Ireland to Ireland.

  5. 19 October 2022

     Guidance updated to reflect the change from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to His Majesty King Charles III.

  6. 10 November 2021

     First published.

Documents

Interviews: overview of the interview process (accessible)

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Details

This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff:

• what a passport interview is
• who must attend a passport interview
• how a customer books a passport interview