British Passport Application

A British passport is a travel document that is issued by the government of the United Kingdom or other British territories to those considered to be legal British citizens. A passport can be used as proof of citizenship anywhere in the world and can be used as proof of right to abode in the UK.

A British passport is one of the strongest travel documents in the world and allows you to travel to 188 countries and territories without a visa or strict travel or immigration restrictions. You are entitled to consular support from any British embassy based abroad. All passports issued today hold your biometric data.

British nationality comes in various forms, and so can sometimes be a little complicated for individuals who were perhaps born in or with links to a territory currently or previously legally connected to the UK.

All British passports are considered property of the British Crown and may be cancelled or withdrawn at any time.

Page Contents

• What is a British Passport?
• Am I Eligible for a British Passport?
• Could I Be Refused a British Passport?
• What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a UK Passport?
• How To Apply for a British Passport
• How Long Will My Passport Application Take?
• How Much Do British Passports Cost?
• Where Are the British Embassy Locations in Germany?
• How Total Law Can Help
• FAQs

British passports are offered to those who have legal British citizenship. Germans and other foreign nationals can also gain citizenship in the UK through several different immigration routes, depending on your personal circumstances.

Assuming you do not have any criminal, legal or travel constraints, you will be able to apply for a British passport if you have gained citizenship via any of the following routes:

• British citizenship (you were born in the United Kingdom or gained citizenship through the Indefinite Leave to Remain immigration process)
• British overseas territories citizenship
• British overseas citizen
• British subject
• British national (overseas)
• British protected person.

Please note, that despite being a citizen, there may be grounds for the HM passport office to refuse your application, and so no application is fully guaranteed. Some reasons you may be refused a British passport by the Home Office are listed below and can also apply to children:

• A travel restriction has been placed on you by the European Union or United Nations
• You have been or currently are involved with the UK criminal justice system due to you:
• Committing a crime, or you are suspected to have broken the law and there is a warrant for your arrest
• Having a court order that restricts your ability to travel
• Being on bail, on which you are not allowed to exit the UK
• The British Home Office has brought you back to the UK before and you are yet to pay for this expense.

Applicants can apply online whether in the UK or abroad using the standard service. You may be required to submit documents at your local British consulate or embassy in Germany; these are situated in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Düsseldorf.

Applicants applying from inside the UK can submit a paper application if preferred, which you’ll need to retrieve, complete and submit at their local UK post office. Please note that paper applications are more expensive than online applications.

For those who are renewing, replacing or updating their passport from within the UK, a one week Fast Track or Online Premium service is an available option for those who require a passport urgently. This service is not available for first-time applicants or for applications made outside the UK.

First-time applicants may find document retrieval difficult, particularly if you are a British citizen through an overseas British territory. German applicants may struggle to gain access to their documents in Germany, or may have other complicated circumstances that could impact whether or not you are approved for a passport. You can apply for a British passport through us – we can advise, offer guidance, and submit your application on your behalf.

Call us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or contact us online.

Application process times can vary depending on whether there are any issues with the application, whether the HM passport office wishes to interview you, or during particularly high volume application periods.

In general, most applicants will receive their passport within 3 weeks if they apply in the UK and wish to have it sent to a British address.

If you are applying from Germany or another foreign territory, you can expect to wait 8-12 weeks for your passport to be issued and, depending on your location, may need to arrange for it to be delivered to you.

You can track your passport online on the gov.uk website.

In general, standard British passport fees for Germans will cost:

• £94.50 for adults
• £61.50 for children

You will also be charged a £19.86 courier fee (this may be more if you need it sent to Germany or abroad). Please note that passport applications often incur additional fees during the application process, such as document retrieval or translation, travel fees to submit documents or attend an interview, and printing charges.

If you are applying from within the UK and this is not your first passport, and you require a quicker application turnaround time, the 1 Week Fast Track Service is available. The prices for this service will be around the following:

• £166.50 for standard adult passport, or £178.50 for 50 page option

Please note that these prices are approximate and subject to change.