Application for passport in the UK

Applying for a first UK passport is a relatively simple process providing a person meets the required criteria and all documents are accurately completed without any errors. There are a number of steps that need to be taken when applying for a UK passport but application help is available if needed. A person should allow for up to six weeks to receive their passport. People can apply for a passport online or the required forms are available from Post Offices.

Initial application considerations

Who is eligible to apply? A person can apply for their first adult passport if they are sixteen years old or over and are a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British subject, a British national or a British protected person. Sometimes someone may not be sure which of these categories they fall under. Further detailed information on these categories is available from the UK Border Agency. When should a person apply? An applicant should allow up to six weeks for their application to be processed. A person should be aware of this when considering the date they wish to travel. Faster passport services are available for those who want to renew a passport but these services cannot be used by people who are applying for their first UK passport. This is because applicants will have to attend an interview as well as complete the required forms as part of the application process. When the Identity and Passport service has received an application they will contact an individual to arrange for an interview date.

Further steps to take

Passport interviews Passport interviews are a relatively new part of the application process for a first UK passport. This has increased the amount of time the whole application takes. The interview will be conducted at one of the six regional offices within the UK. The interview takes approximately thirty minutes. Previous passport holders These interviews only need to be attended by people who have never held a British passport in their own name before. People who have been previously issued a child passport are not required to attend an interview and this type of application should be regarded as a renewal. Interview format The interview is quite informal and aims to establish if the information provided by an applicant is genuine. Some people have tried to steal the identities of others.

How much does a passport cost?

Passport prices can vary but a standard, first adult, 32 page ten year passport costs 77.50 pounds. For people born on, or before 02.09.1929, passports are free of charge. A passport with 48 pages is available at a cost of 90.50 pounds. These prices are correct as of 13.06.2011.