Renew or replace your adult passport

You can renew or replace your passport at any time. It costs £72.50, or £82.25 through the Post Office’s Passport Check and Send service.

Time left on an existing passport is added to your new one, up to a maximum of 9 months.

How long it takes

It should take 3 weeks to get the passport - use a different service if you need the passport urgently.

It can take longer if more information is needed or your application hasn’t been filled out correctly.

Don’t book travel until you have a valid passport - doing so is at your own risk.

Damaged and expired passports

You must replace your passport as soon as possible if it has more than reasonable wear and tear - you may not be allowed to travel with it.

You must renew your expired passport before you can travel.

Lost or stolen passports

If you’re replacing a lost or stolen passport, you may have to attend an interview and your application may take longer.

Apply for a passport

If you’re in the UK, you can:

Read guidance on applying for your passport.

There are different ways to apply if you’re outside the UK.

Passport Adviceline
Online enquiry form
Telephone: 0300 222 0000
Textphone: 0300 222 0222
Text Relay: 18001 0300 222 0000
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 9am to 5:30pm
Find out about call charges

Photos

Include 2 identical new photos of yourself. Your application can be delayed if you don’t follow the rules about passport photos.

Countersignatories

Get your application form and 1 of your photos signed by someone else to prove your identity if either:

  • you can’t be recognised from the photo in your existing passport
  • you’re replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport

Unexpired visas

If you’re renewing your passport, send your previous passport with the visa attached to it with your application. Your previous passport will be returned to you.

Carry both passports if you want to use the visa in the previous passport.

Changing your name or personal details

If you’ve changed your name (eg through marriage, changed the spelling or added a middle name), you must send extra documents with your application.

Send your application

Online applications

Post your form, photos and supporting documents to the address printed on the form.

Paper applications

You can:

  • post your form using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form (include your photos and supporting documents)
  • use the Passport Check and Send service (you can’t use this if you apply online)

Payment

You’ll need a credit or debit card to apply online.

If you apply by post, you can either pay by:

  • debit or credit card - fill in the form in the application pack
  • cheque (made payable to ‘Her Majesty’s Passport Office’)

Tracking your passport application

You can login and track your passport application straight away if you apply online.

You can start tracking your passport application 3 weeks after you apply if you apply by post.

Receiving your new passport

Your new passport will be sent to you either by courier or Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. The postman or courier will then do one of the following:

  • hand your passport to you if you’re at home
  • deliver your passport with the rest of your post
  • leave you a card or send you a letter to tell you where to collect your passport or how to arrange redelivery

The ‘missed delivery’ card or letter won’t say that the package contains your passport.

Last updated: 12 January 2015