Passport Requirements

The following four (4) criteria apply for a first-time British passport application:

1. Applicant born in the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport.
2. Descent by Father – Applicant born outside the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport – Father born British/naturalized in the United Kingdom.
3. Descent by Mother – Applicant born outside the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport – Mother born British/naturalized in the United Kingdom.
4. Applicant was Naturalized in the United Kingdom – never previously held a British Passport, born outside the United Kingdom.

1. Applicant born British in the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport:

Proof of the following will be needed:

1. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant. If adopted: original full long version birth certificate and adoption certificate*.
2. Born before 1 January 1983: – Original full long version British birth certificates* of both parents of the first-time applicant.
3. Born 1 January 1983 and after: – Only one parent must be British – Original full long version birth certificate* of first-time applicant’s parent. An applicant needs to present evidence that at least one parent held United Kingdom citizenship/resident status at the time of the first-time applicant’s birth (born in the United Kingdom or United Kingdom permanent residence). Having been born in the United Kingdom does not necessarily entitle the applicant to claim British citizenship.
4. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant’s other parent – born inside or outside of England.
5. Original full long version full marriage certificate* of the first-time applicant’s parents.
6. Any other uncancelled NON-BRITISH passport relating to you. The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship.
7. If you now use a different name to the one on your birth certificate, an official name change document from the relevant government department (or deed poll) will be requested. If the name change is through marriage, please present your original full marriage certificate*. If you have married more than once, all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates must be provided.

*Explanation of certificates:

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details.
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom.

NOTE: Supporting Documents – HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original certificates/documents or official government issued replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address, must be fully translated by a professional translator.

ADULT – 16 years or over (or will be 16 years within two weeks)
CHILD – 15 years or younger
First-time passport delivery time: Anything between 1 – 3 months. Varies according to each individual case

2. Descent by Father – Applicant born outside the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport – Father born British inside the United Kingdom or naturalized in the United Kingdom:

The Father of the first-time applicant had to be born British inside the United Kingdom, registered or naturalized in the United Kingdom. In the event of the Father having been registered or naturalized as a British citizen, the first-time applicant will be eligible to apply for a British passport only if he/she was born after the Father was registered/naturalized. Citizenship can automatically be claimed.

Proof of the following will be needed:

1. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant. If adopted – original full long version birth certificate and adoption certificate*. (Only a Vault birth certificate* will be accepted as South African birth certificates, please see explanation below).
2. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant’s Father and the original Certificate of Naturalization of Father if he was naturalized in the United Kingdom.
3. Original full long version birth certificate* of the other parent.
4. Original full long version full marriage certificate* of the first-time applicant’s parents.
5. Any other uncancelled NON-BRITISH passport relating to you. The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship.
6. If you now use a different name to the one on your birth certificate, an official name change document from the relevant government department (or deed poll) will be requested. If the name change is through marriage, please present your original full marriage certificate*. If you have married more than once, all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates must be provided.

*Explanation of certificates:

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details.
• Vault birth certificate – Applicable for South African birth certificates only. It is a copy of the original registration form completed by the parents when a birth was registered. It is a photocopy of the original, stamped and signed by the Department of Home Affairs’s Officer.
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom.

NOTE: Supporting Documents – HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original certificates/documents or official government issued replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address, must be fully translated by a professional translator.

ADULT – 16 years or over (or will be 16 years within two weeks)
CHILD – 15 years or younger
First-time passport delivery time: Anything between 1 – 3 months. Varies according to each individual case

3. Descent by Mother – Applicant born outside the United Kingdom, never previously held a British Passport – Mother born British inside the United Kingdom or naturalized in the United Kingdom:

In this case two separate scenarios apply:

1. First-time applicant born 1 January 1983 and after: The Mother of the first-time applicant had to be born British inside the United Kingdom, registered or naturalized in the United Kingdom. In the event of the Mother having been registered or naturalized as a British citizen, the first-time applicant will be eligible to apply for a British passport only if he/she was born after the Mother was registered/naturalized. Citizenship can automatically be claimed.
2. First-time applicant born before 1 January 1983: The Mother of the first-time applicant had to be born British inside the United Kingdom, registered or naturalized in the United Kingdom. In the event of the Mother having been registered or naturalized as a British citizen, the first-time applicant will be eligible to apply for a British passport only if he/she was born after the Mother was registered/naturalized. Applicants are now eligible to register their birth with the UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency), before an application for a British passport can be submitted, if not already registered. A certificate of nationalization from the British government will be issued before the applicant can apply for a British passport.

Proof of the following will be needed:

1. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant. If adopted – original full long version birth certificate and adoption certificate*. (Only a Vault birth certificate* will be accepted as South African birth certificates, please see explanation below).
2. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant’s Mother and the original Certificate of Naturalization of Mother if she was naturalized in the United Kingdom.
3. Original full long version birth certificate* of the other parent.
4. Any other uncancelled NON-BRITISH passport relating to you. The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship.
5. If you now use a different name to the one on your birth certificate, an official name change document from the relevant government department (or deed poll) will be requested. If the name change is through marriage, please present your original full marriage certificate*. If you have married more than once, all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates must be provided.
6. Proof of birth registration with the UKBA (United Kingdom Border Agency) if born before 1 January 1983.

*Explanation of certificates:

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details.
• Vault birth certificate – Applicable for South African birth certificates only. It is a copy of the original registration form completed by the parents when a birth was registered. It is a photocopy of the original, stamped and signed by the Department of Home Affairs’s Officer.
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom.

NOTE: Supporting Documents – HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original certificates/documents or official government issued replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address, must be fully translated by a professional translator.

ADULT – 16 years or over (or will be 16 years within two weeks)
CHILD – 15 years or younger
First-time passport delivery time: Anything between 1 – 3 months. Varies according to each individual case

4. Applicant was Naturalized in the United Kingdom – never previously held a British Passport, born outside the United Kingdom:

Applicant born outside the United Kingdom, earned his or her own Certificate of British Naturalization or Certificate of British Registration.

Proof of the following will be needed:

1. Original full long version birth certificate* of the first-time applicant. If adopted – original full long version birth certificate and adoption certificate*. (Only a Vault birth certificate* will be accepted as South African birth certificates, please see explanation below).
2. Any other uncancelled NON-BRITISH passport relating to you. The United Kingdom permits dual citizenship.
3. If you now use a different name to the one on your birth certificate, an official name change document from the relevant government department (or deed poll) will be requested. If the name change is through marriage, please present your original full marriage certificate*. If you have married more than once, all original relevant divorce, death and marriage certificates must be provided.
4. Original certificate of naturalization.

*Explanation of certificates:

• Full long version birth or adoption certificate – records both the child’s parents’ details.
• Vault birth certificate – Applicable for South African birth certificates only. It is a copy of the original registration form completed by the parents when a birth was registered. It is a photocopy of the original, stamped and signed by the Department of Home Affairs’s Officer.
• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom.

NOTE: Supporting Documents – HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original certificates/documents or official government issued replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address, must be fully translated by a professional translator.

ADULT – 16 years or over (or will be 16 years within two weeks)
CHILD – 15 years or younger
First-time passport delivery time: Anything between 1 – 3 months. Varies according to each individual case

A lost or stolen British Passport must be reported to the local Police Department in the country where the applicant resides and a Police report must be obtained. Notice should be given to the local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where you live. Additional supporting documents or information might be requested by Her Majesty’s Passport Office when applying for the replacement of a lost or stolen passport, which may cause some delays with the issuing of your new replacement passport. Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “British Passport Renewal”. Unfortunately, in some cases, the same criteria will apply as for a first-time application, including all supporting documents, depending on the issue and expiry dates of your lost/stolen passport.

Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “British Passport Renewal”.

Criteria will be the same as for a British Passport Renewal. See requirements under “British Passport Renewal”.

A British passport renewal application must be submitted in the event of marriage, divorce, civil partnership or other reasons if you want to do a name change in your passport. Your existing current British passport will be cancelled with immediate effect and will be replaced with a new British passport in the new name. Up to a maximum of 9 months will be added to your new passport if there is any time left on your old passport.

One of the following will be needed to prove your name change:

• Original full long version marriage certificate*
• Original civil partnership certificate.
• When reverting back to a previous name, an official certified letter from you will be needed declaring your name change and proof of the same.
• Original deed poll notification.

Minor changes or corrections to your name (eg. adding to or order of first and middle names, spelling changes) can be made.

*Explanation of certificates:

• Full long version marriage certificate – records the previous marital status of the bride and groom.

NOTE: HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original versions as supporting documents or replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted. Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address – must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Anyone can apply for an Emergency Travel Document if one needs to travel urgently while your application for a UK passport renewal is being processed but has not been received yet.

Your local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate where you reside can issue an Emergency Travel Document. This document will allow you to travel abroad up to a maximum of 5 countries and will cover your return to the country you apply from, where you reside.

You will need to apply in person at the local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate where you live. They will check to see if you are eligible to apply for an Emergency Travel Document. If it is approved, you may get the document the same day or a few days later in the event of more information being required.

If approved, your Emergency Travel Document will only be valid for the specific travelling plans you supply at the time of application.

The following will be needed:

• Full details of your travel plans.
• Two recent identical photos.
• Your expired/valid UK passport or a copy.
• Completed Emergency Travel Document Application Form – available from your local British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate.
• A police report if passport is lost or stolen.

Please click on the following link for more information regarding an emergency travel document: https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document

HER MAJESTY’s PASSPORT OFFICE only accepts original versions as supporting documents or replacement documents (birth, adoption, marriage, death, divorce decrees). NO photocopies or laminated documents will be accepted.

Documents that aren’t in English – including documents showing an address – must be fully translated by a professional translator.

Original will be returned after examination.

UK Passport application interviews became compulsory for first time adult applications. Interviews are done at a local Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where the first-time adult applicant lives. Interviews are randomly chosen. Not all applicants will be called in for an interview.