Answers to the most common questions about UK passports, travel rules, renewals, and more.
Standard online applications typically take around 3 weeks but can take up to 10 weeks during peak periods, which usually run from March to July when many people renew ahead of summer holidays. The government advises allowing a full 10 weeks and strongly recommends not booking any travel until your new passport has arrived.
If you need your passport sooner, the 1-week Fast Track service costs £155 and requires an in-person appointment at a regional passport office. The same-day Premium service costs £193 and lets you collect your passport on the day of your appointment or the next working day, subject to availability. Both expedited services must be booked online through GOV.UK.
Yes. Both the older burgundy passports and the newer blue passports issued since March 2020 are equally valid for international travel, provided they meet the destination country's validity requirements. The colour of your passport has no bearing on whether it will be accepted at a border. What matters is the issue date, the expiry date, and whether the passport is in good condition with a functioning chip.
You can update your name by applying for a new passport through the GOV.UK website or by post. You will need to include your marriage certificate (or decree absolute/deed poll for other name changes) with your application. The cost is the same as a standard renewal. Your new passport will have a new passport number and a fresh 10-year validity period.
It is important to ensure that the name on your passport matches the name on your flight booking. If you have recently married and already booked flights in your maiden name, you should either travel on your current passport or change your booking to match your new passport once it arrives.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, you should take the following steps immediately:
Once you have returned to the UK, you will need to apply for a full replacement passport. Report your lost passport through GOV.UK even if you have already reported it to police abroad, as this cancels the old passport and prevents misuse.
Yes, a child with a valid passport can travel internationally accompanied by just one parent. However, some countries may ask for evidence that the absent parent has given consent, particularly if the child has a different surname to the accompanying adult. Border officials may ask questions to safeguard against child abduction.
To avoid delays, it is advisable to carry a signed letter of consent from the other parent (or all persons with parental responsibility), along with the child's birth certificate. The consent letter should include the child's full name and date of birth, the accompanying parent's details, the absent parent's details and signature, travel dates and destinations, and contact details for the absent parent.
UK passport photos must meet strict requirements. The printed photo must be 45mm high by 35mm wide, taken against a plain white or light grey background, in colour with no filters or editing. You must look directly at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and both eyes open and clearly visible. Glasses are not allowed in passport photos (this rule was introduced in 2018). Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons, but your face from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead must be clearly visible.
For online applications, your digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in focus, and taken within the last month. Most smartphones can take an acceptable photo if you follow the guidance on GOV.UK. Many photo booths and pharmacies also offer a digital passport photo service.
Countersigning is required for first-time applications, applications for children under 16, and applications where your appearance has changed significantly. Your countersignatory must:
Suitable countersignatories include doctors, nurses, teachers, lecturers, solicitors, barristers, accountants, bank managers, police officers, civil servants, engineers, and members of the clergy. If you do not know anyone in these professions, a person of good standing such as a neighbour, friend, or colleague who has known you for over 2 years may also be acceptable.
The UK began issuing blue passports in March 2020, shortly after leaving the European Union. British passports were blue from 1921 until 1988, when the EU-standard burgundy cover was adopted by all EU member states. The return to blue was announced in 2017 as a visible symbol of the UK's independent identity outside the EU.
The new blue passports are manufactured by Thales (a Franco-Dutch company) and include enhanced security features, including a polycarbonate data page that is more difficult to forge. Both blue and burgundy passports remain fully valid for travel until their expiry date, and there is no need to replace a burgundy passport early purely for the colour change.
For almost all cruises departing from or calling at ports outside the United Kingdom, you will need a valid passport that meets the entry requirements of every country on the cruise itinerary. Many cruise lines impose their own requirement of at least 6 months of passport validity from the date of your return, which is often stricter than the individual country requirements.
Even for cruises that depart from and return to a UK port without stopping at any foreign ports, most cruise lines still require a valid passport or approved photo ID. If your cruise makes stops at multiple countries, check the passport requirements for every port of call, not just your main destination. If your passport does not meet requirements at any single port, you may be denied boarding the ship entirely.
It depends on the country and the nature of your transit. If you remain in the international transit area (airside) and do not pass through immigration, some countries do not require minimum passport validity. However, if you need to clear immigration — for example, to change terminals, collect and re-check baggage, or if there is no international transit facility — you must meet the full entry requirements for that country.
Airlines check passport validity for all countries on your itinerary, including transit stops, before allowing you to board. If there is any doubt, the airline will apply the strictest interpretation to avoid the cost of returning you. The safest approach is to ensure your passport meets the most demanding requirement across your entire journey.
UK ePassport gates (also known as eGates) are available at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, East Midlands, and several others. To use them, you need a biometric UK passport (one with a chip symbol on the front cover) and you must be aged 10 or over. Children aged 10 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult who is also using the gates.
When using the gates, remove any hat, headscarf (unless worn for religious reasons), sunglasses, or face covering. Place your passport face-down on the reader and look directly at the camera. The gate uses facial recognition to compare your face with the photograph stored on your passport's chip. If the gate cannot verify your identity, you will be directed to a staffed immigration desk. This is not unusual and does not indicate any problem with your passport.
A passport is a travel document issued by your own country (in this case, the United Kingdom) that certifies your identity and nationality. It enables you to travel internationally and request entry to foreign countries. A visa is a separate permission granted by the destination country that allows you to enter their territory for a specific purpose (tourism, work, study, etc.) and for a defined duration.
UK passport holders benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries. However, some destinations — including Australia, India, China, Russia, and several African nations — require a visa to be obtained in advance. Having a valid passport is a prerequisite for obtaining a visa, but it does not guarantee entry to any country. Immigration officials always have the final say on whether to admit you.
Yes, you can renew your UK passport at any time before it expires. There is no minimum remaining validity required to apply for a renewal. Since September 2018, any unexpired months on your current passport are not added to the new one, so your new passport will be valid for exactly 10 years (for adults) or 5 years (for children under 16) from the date it is issued.
There is no financial penalty for renewing early. In practical terms, renewing when you have 9 to 12 months of validity remaining is a sensible approach: it gives you enough time to receive your new passport through the standard service, even during busy periods, without risking travel disruptions.
Many countries require at least one or two completely blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Some countries have specific requirements: South Africa, for example, requires two blank pages facing each other (on a single spread). The United States requires one blank page for the entry stamp. Other countries may require additional pages if you need a visa sticker placed in your passport.
UK passports cannot have extra pages added. If your passport is running out of blank pages, you must apply for a new passport. It is worth checking your passport well before travel, as a full passport with no blank pages can lead to denied boarding or refused entry, regardless of the expiry date.
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