British Passports

Adult British Citizens wishing to travel outside of the United Kingdom, must be in possession of a valid, up to date, ten-year passport, while children under 16 will need a five-year passport.

Renewing a British passport is a relatively straightforward process that can done as long as the current passport remains intact and is a standard UK ten-year passport or else it is a child's UK passport issued before they were 16. Additionally, there should be no name or national status change.


When to apply

A British passport can be renewed at any time. However, because some countries require a passport to have at least six months remaining, those who are traveling further afield would be wise to renew if there is less than six months validity remaining on the passport. Because the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) is likely to become busy during certain times of the year, anyone wishing to renew a passport in time for holiday travel, should do so well before the peak holiday seasons.

How long does it take

Passport applications should take no more than three weeks. However, it’s important to factor in extra time to allow for postal delays and the workload at the Passport Office which will naturally be higher at busy times of the year. For those requiring an urgent renewal, i.e. less than two weeks, it’s advisable to use the IPS Fast Track one-week service or the Premium one-day service which can only be arranged via an appointment at a Regional Passport Office.

How to apply

A British passport can be renewed by one of four ways:

1. Complete an online application form;
2. Collect a form from a Post Office which offers a 'Check & Send' service;
3. Request a form online to be posted out;
4. Telephone the Passport Advice line (0300 222 0000) to request the form in the post.

When requesting a passport renewal form to be posted out, allow at least five working days to account for postal delays. When completing the form online, the IPS will post it back, requesting a signature and the supporting documents. The completed form can be posted to the IPS using regular mail.

For a small fee, Post Office branches which offer a Check & Send service will look through the application to ensure everything is in order before posting it to the IPS. Using this service can help avoid any unnecessary delays with missing documents, incorrect information or unacceptable photos. Additionally, these applications will be given priority treatment and its progress can be tracked online.

Documents required

When renewing an adult or child's passport, the only additional documents required along with the completed application form are two recent, identical photographs and the current or expired passport. Guidelines for passport photos are particularly stringent and photographs will be rejected if they don’t meet the exact requirements. However, as long as the overall appearance hasn’t drastically altered, the photos only need be signed by the passport applicant. A counter signatory is only required where the applicant's appearance has changed noticeably from the previous passport photo and also where the passport renewal is for a child aged 11 or under.

Cost

Renewing a British passport is a costly business. As such, it could be worthwhile waiting until no more than nine months validity is left remaining before renewing. There is no refund for any unused portion but a maximum of nine months may be carried over onto the new 10-year passport.

Costs for renewing a ten-year 32 page adult passport are as follows: (Note: prices will change)

1. Standard service: £77.50 (allow 3 weeks)
2. Check & Send service: £8.17 (two weeks – plus £77.50)
3. Fast Track service: £112.50 (one week)
4. Premium service: £129.50 (one day).

Costs for renewing a five-year child passport:

1. Standard service: £49 (allow 3 weeks)
2. Fast Track service: £96.50 (one week)
3. Premium service: £109.50 (one day).

Those born before 2 September, 1929 can renew their passport free of charge. However, the Fast Track and Premium service fees still apply if those services are used.

Renewing a British passport is generally simpler and quicker than applying for a new one. Although the IPS aim to process applications within two to three weeks using the Standard service, they recommend not booking any overseas travel before the renewed passport has been received. In urgent cases, passports can be rushed through using one of the faster services, but this comes at a cost. The process of renewing a British passport is extremely efficient. However, for those with concerns regarding their application, there is plenty of advice available either online, via a telephone helpline or at a Post Office.

Further resources:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/1056.htm (passport questions)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/index.htm (passport information)
http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/travel/travel-documents/passport-check-send/apply-or-renew (Check & Send)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Applicationinformation/DG_174152 (photo requirements)