British Passport Application

People who are British nationals, either through birth, registration or naturalization, can apply for and be issued a British passport. This document can not only be used as an identity document or for travel, but can also allow travel without restriction across UK borders, enter nearly 150 countries without a visa, and represent your right to work, study and live permanently in the UK.

In order to be issued a British passport you will have to submit an application to the Home Office; to be eligible, you must be a British citizen, British overseas territories citizen, British overseas citizen, British subject, British national, or a British protected person. A British passport for an adult will be valid for 10 years, whereas a child’s passport will only be valid for 5 years.

There is also a passport option for adults and children who are frequent travelers, which have an additional 20 pages to account for more passport stamps.

Page Contents

• Overview of British Passports
• How to Apply for a British Passport
• Countersignatory
• Documents Required for British Passport Application
• Applying for a Passport for a Child
• How to Renew a British Passport in the Philippines
• British Passport Rules and Requirements
• Application Fee and Processing Time
• Fast-Track Passport Application
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Applications and payment for new or renewed passports can be made online through the UK government website, which is the most cost effective method, or by post using a paper form from the Post Office. In the case that you need a passport quickly, you can have an interview instead.

The online application system will ask you for your personal details, such as your current location and your birth date, and then the passport process will follow these steps:

1. You will provide your digital photo.
2. You will complete the online application form, which will ask questions such as your personal details, your parents’ personal details, and your naturalization certificate number (if you have one).
3. The online system will tell you what documents to send to the Home Office.
4. You will pay for your passport.
5. The system will notify you if they need someone to confirm your identity, which they can do online.
6. The Home Office will then send you updates by email or text so you can track the progress of your application.

Whether you are applying from the UK or the Philippines, the process is still the same, although the delivery time for your passport will be longer if you are abroad than if you were in the UK.

If you choose to submit a paper application, you can collect the form from your local Post Office. You will have to complete the application and send it, including:

• Your supporting documents.
• Two identical recent photos, one of which must be signed by a suitable countersignatory to confirm that the passport is an accurate likeness.
• Your previous passport or any valid passports that were issued in another country.

The Post Office also offers a ‘Check and Send’ service where they will look through your application and all your supporting documents to check they are correct, and then send your application by Special Delivery to the HM Passport OFfice on your behalf.

When submitting a paper application form, you will need the personal and contact details of someone who can confirm your identity. This countersignatory must meet their own criteria to be eligible to act as a countersignatory; if the person you choose is not appropriate, it can delay your application, and another person will need to be provided.

They must have known you for at least two years and cannot be related to you, live with you or know you only professionally. They must live in the UK, hold a valid British or Irish passport, and work in specific recognised professions listed in the Home Office guidance, for example, as:

• An accountant,
• A dentist,
• An engineer,
• A nurse,
• A teacher.

If you have or have been granted citizenship and are over 16 years old, you can apply for your first adult passport. When applying for the first time, you will have to submit supporting documents. These will need to be the original copies, as photocopies will not be accepted, and translated by a certified translator if they are not in English or Welsh.

Any missing documents can potentially delay your passport application or result in a rejected application.

For people born inside the UK, you may only need to send your:

• Birth certificate or adoption certificate.
• British parent’s birth certificate or passport or your parent’s immigration status at the time of your birth.

For people who are a British national by naturalization or registration, you will need to send your

• Naturalization or registration certificate.
• Philippines passport.

Everyone must submit a digital photo of themselves and details of someone who can confirm their identity.

Once all your documents have been processed, everything will be returned to you by post to the address you provided.

When applying for a passport for a child, you will follow the same process but answer the application questions with their details rather than your own.

Even if it is their first passport, children under 16 years old will not need a passport interview.

You can renew a British adult or child passport in the same way you would apply for your first passport, by submitting an online or postal application.

When renewing your passport, you will need to resubmit your personal information, pay the fee, and provide the details of your previous British passport. You will not need to send your birth certificate for a renewal.

While applying for a new or renewed passport, you must not book travel until your new passport is issued, as you will need a passport number and this will be unique for your new passport.

If you are planning to travel near to the date of your passport’s expiry, in many cases, you must have at least six months remaining on your passport from the date of arrival in the new country. If you have fewer months left, you must apply for a new passport in plenty of time before you travel.

It is essential that your application form is completed correctly, as any errors or inconsistencies could lead to a delay in processing time or even a rejected passport application.

Remember that your name should be the same across your passport application and supporting documents, unless you have changed your name, in which case, you will use your new name. All previous names must also be listed.

The turnaround time for a British passport is usually three weeks if you are applying from inside the UK, although it may take longer if they need more information or would like to interview you.

When applying from the Philippines or from outside the UK, it is best to allow plenty of time for your passport to be processed, as it may take anywhere from six to ten weeks for you to receive your new passport.

The online standard passport application costs £88.50 for an adult and £57.50 for a child.

If you need your passport quickly, you can pay for a fast-track passport service. For this application, you will need to book an appointment at your nearest passport office.

There is an option for a one-day premium or one-week fast-track service, although if you have already submitted a standard passport application, you cannot then upgrade to a fast-track service if you are finding it is taking too long.