Guidance

Old blue (hardback style) passports: caseworker guidance

This document tells HM Passport Office staff how to process a passport application to renew or replace an old blue passport.

• From: HM Passport Office
• Published: 8 February 2024
• Last updated: 3 July 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 3 July 2026

     Updated section old blue passports: checking the passport record to show a change to the process in how you check old blue passports in our passport records and to show what checks must be complete when the customer submits the old blue passport with their application or cannot submit their old blue passport with their application.

  2. 10 March 2026

     Updated the section Customer has provided documents and evidence issued before the Old Blue passport.

  3. 28 August 2025

     Updated the old blue (hardback style) passports caseworker guidance. A full list of changes can be found in the guide.

  4. 8 February 2024

     First published.

Documents

Old blue (hardback style) passports (accessible)

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Details

Old blue passports were last issued in 1992. This guidance tells staff how to process applications to renew or replace these, including what evidence the customer must provide.