UK Passport Renewal | UK Passport Renewals. Made Easy.
Steps to Get a UK Passport Renewed
Step 1: Complete Application
Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
Step 3: Package and Send
The first step in the process of renewing your UK passport is to complete the application form. The are two ways that you can do this.
For straightforward UK passport renewal applications you normally only need to send two supporting documents;
Current passport & Two photos
Additional supporting documents are required if your passport was lost of stolen or if you are changing the name on your passport.
Send the completed application with supporting documents in the envelope provided. It is recommended that you use the Post Office recorded. It is also important to write down the bar code number at the top left hand of passport renewal application form, as you will need this if you call the Passport Office to enquire about your application.
Many UK passport renewal applications are returned because of mistakes
The Passport Office say that a third of all applications received have to be returned due to basic errors and this causes delays.
For a fee of £9.75 the Post Office will check your application to ensure everything has been completed correctly; this gives you peace of mind. The Post Office will also send the passport renewal application via Special delivery.
The easiest way to renew your British passport is to pick up an application form from the Post Office. Once you have completed the form return it to the Post Office - and use the Check & send service.
The Post Office will check the following
Also remember that generally it takes at least 3 weeks to get your passport back - however the time frame around peak times July and August is likely to be longer.
So make sure you factor this in when applying to renew your passport during the busy period. During this peak time the application renewal process can double to about 6 weeks.
Parents with young children remember to submit your passport renewal early.
Statistics from the Passport Office show that parents with young children and young people aged between 16 and 20 are most likely to submit last minute passport renewal applications.
Get information on the cost of renewing your UK passport.
Remember preparation is key, you can renew your passport at anytime and time left on your passport will be added to the new one up to a maximum of 9 months.
If you need an urgent passport renewal you use the Fast Track service - 1 week and costs £103 or the Premium Service - 4 hours and cost £128
Passport renewal form is the same as passport application form.
Passport forms can obtained using the following 4 methods:
Your photo must meet the HM Passport Office photo requirements.
Not sure about your photo?
We recommend you get a photo from a specialist passport photographer. The image on the right shows the details of photo dimension.
Renew or amend an existing adult passport | Normal service | Fast Track service | p>Premium service |
|---|---|---|---|
Adults (aged 16 and over) | £72.50 | £103.00 | £128.00 |
How long it takes | 3 weeks | 1 week | 1 day |
If you are travelling with the next 30 days and your passport will expire within that timeframe then you will need to get you passport renewal using the one of the two fast track options.
These fast track passport renewal services are available at the following passport offices Liverpool, London, Newport, Belfast, Durham, Glasgow and Peterborough.
To visit one of these Passport offices you need to book an appointment by calling the Passport Adviceline.
And now for the not so great news, it may take up to three weeks to get an appointment to visit a regional passport office. This is not very helpful if you have emergency travel pending. The three week timeframe is particularly true during the busy months of summer, that is between May and August. Otherwise expect to be offered appointment slots a couple of days from when you call, in fact in quieter months you can get next day appointments.
In preparation for your passport renewal appointment you need to make sure you gather the following supporting documents:
On the day of appointment make sure you arrive 10 minutes before scheduled time. If every thing is in order you will have you passport in 4 hours if you applied for the premium passport renewal service or it will be posted to you within a week if you applied for the fast track service.
Children fast track passport renewal
The information given above is valid for a child passport renewal except two factors. Firstly only the 1 week fast track passport renewal service is available to children. Secondly you will need a counter-signatory, they must complete and sign Section 10 of the Application form and they are also required to sign one of the photos.
Internet passport renewal scams are sadly a reality and the best way to avoid them is to firstly be aware of them and secondly understand how they work. So when you come face to face with a passport renewal scam you can smile and tell them where to go (rhetorical of course).
Passport renewal scam come in two variations, that is,
- Premium rate number
- Passport renewal service providers
Get more information on passport renewal scams
Why you should avoid renewing your passport in May, June and July
With an average 200 000 passport applications the months of September, October, November and December have the lowest passport application volumes, which means this is great time to summit your application as your passport has less competition.
There is a marked increase in applications to around 300 000, from January to April.
However last year the months of May, June, July and August saw the volume of applications top 500 000! And this explains the chaos that saw many families miss their annual summer holiday because of passports not arriving in time. And the worst thing is that travel insurance policies will not cover you if you have to cancel your holiday and even more annoying the Passport Office refused to offer compensation.
Preparation is the key. If you prepare well in advance, the small red book will play a very minor role in your holiday plans. Have a quick peep at the expiring date on your passport, a couple of minutes may save you a major heartache.
So you have sorted out your passport photo?
Filled in application form?
Signed the application form?
Sent all supporting documentation?
Check out the following related information:
How much does it cost to renew a passport
Get your passport in 24 hours
What are the guidelines for Passport Photos
Do you need advice on your passport renewal application?
Find out where your nearest Passport Offices is
Peterborough Passport Office
London Passport Office
Glasgow Passport Office
How long does a passport renewal take
Beware of Passport Renewal scams.
Call the passport adviceline for the following help: