Last Updated on June 4, 2025 by Tracey Roberts
The UK Passport Issuing Authority is in charge of issuing UK passports to British citizens.
If you are a UK citizen, then the UK Passport Issuing Authority is responsible for you! They are also responsible for people who have been granted citizenship by another country but are still considered British by their own government. So, what is your passport place of issue and how do you find these details on your current British Passport?
Click here to renew your British Passport online.
The place of issue on a British passport can be found on the information page of the passport, typically the first page. The place of issue is typically indicated by a code, which represents the Passport Office that issued the passport. For example, “IPS”, “UKPS”, “UKPA”, or “HMPO”.
Quick Overview
- Current Issuing Authority: His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) is the sole authority responsible for issuing UK passports and overseeing civil registration services through the General Register Office.
- Historical Names: Over time, the UK passport authority has been known by several names:
- Identifying Your Issuing Authority: To determine your passport’s issuing authority, check the bottom right corner of the photo page in your passport.
- Selecting ‘Other’: If your passport was issued by agencies outside the UK, such as those in Hong Kong or Gibraltar, you should select ‘Other’ when prompted for the issuing authority.
Need Assistance?: If you’re uncertain about your passport’s issuing authority or have other questions, feel free to contact our expert British liaison consultants for guidance.
UK Passport Issuing Authority Question on Renewal Form
“What is your passport issuing authority?” This is a question on the UK passport application or renewal form which often confuses applicants.
So, which one do you select as your UK Passport Issuing Authority?
The short answer is that the line with ‘UKPA, UKPS, IPS or HMPO’ is usually the correct one for most British born UK Citizens.
To confirm this, look on the photo page of your passport in the right bottom area to find the passport issuing authority.
What do these options mean?
UKPA, UKPS, IPS or HMPO.IPS was the Identity and Passport Service from 2006 to 2013. (The Identity and Passport Service was renamed Her Majesty’s Passport Office on 13 May 2013).
- IPS was the Identity and Passport Service from 2006 to 2013. (The Identity and Passport Service was renamed Her Majesty’s Passport Office on 13 May 2013). After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, HM Passport Office is now referred to as His Majesty’s Passport Office.
- UKPS was the United Kingdom Passport Service (A previous name before Her Majesty’s Passport Office).
- UKPA was the UK Passport Agency (A previous name before Her Majesty’s Passport Office).
- HMPO is the current “HM Passport Office or His Majesty’s Passport Office” since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Passport Place of Issue: When should I tick ‘other’?
People who had passports issued by Agencies such as the Hong Kong passport office, or Gibraltar, etc., would tick “other”.
If you are unsure which one best applies to you, contact us here and one of our expert British liaison consultants will be happy to advise you.
Renewing your British Passport from the USA? Click here for everything you need to know.
What is the current UK passport issuing authority?
HM Passport Office is the only issuer of UK passports and responsible for civil registration services through the General Register Office.
If you have more questions about British Passport renewal requirements, click here to see our FAQ section.
Why use U.K.ABROAD?
The British passport renewal application form can be very confusing and the Passport Office is known for its strict standards and regular rejections due to tiny inaccuracies.
To make matters worse, HM Passport Office does not offer refunds under any circumstances.
U.K.ABROAD’s team of British passport specialists will assist you through the entire process of renewing your UK passport, ensuring that your application is correctly completed so you don’t lose time or money.
We will thoroughly check your application forms to ensure that they are 100% compliant. We will also make sure that your digital passport photo complies with the British passport office’s strict standards.
We use our registered and reliable courier to send in your old passport and this avoids any unnecessary delays or loss during your renewal process.
Your new British passport will be delivered directly to your doorstep within a few weeks.
All you need to do to get started is complete our easy, online application form which can be found here.
Operating independently since 2008, we have helped countless British citizens with their passport applications, renewals and replacements. We specialise in applications from abroad.
I had been struggling for some months to renew my British Passport, largely because the on-line site provided by the UK government is unclear and confusing about what documents I needed to supply. I found UK Abroad on the internet and from the very start the whole process was made easy. It was clear what I required and the whole process was efficient. The staff gave me constant feedback throughout the whole process, and I now have my new passport. Well worth the cost and I will certainly use them again, and recommend them to my friends. MICHAEL MEREDITH. Click here to read more Google verified reviews.
Are you applying for a UK passport from Australia? Click here.
Our 5 – Step Process:
- Apply online. Complete our simple online application form.
- Secure payment. Submit your secure payment via credit or debit card.
- Application checked. Our experts will check your form & documents and finalize your application on your behalf.
- Application sent. We arrange safe & fast shipment of your documents to HM Passport Office.
- Receive your passport. Your passport is delivered directly to your doorstep within a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions: Passport Place of Issue
In this section, we will answer your most frequently asked questions about UK Passport Issuing Authority or Passport Place of Issue in a simple, straightforward way. If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to our team of British Passport specialists by completing the contact form below.
How do I find my UK passport issuing authority?
Check the first page of your UK passport (the page with your photograph on it). At the bottom right corner, you will see Issuing Authority followed by (in most cases): UKPA.
What does UKPA stand for?
UKPA stands for UK Passport Issuing Authority (this was a previous name before HM Passport Office).
Conculsion – UK Passport Issuing Authority
In most cases, selecting the first option of “UKPA, UKPS, IPS or HMPO” is correct when selecting the passport place of issue when filling in your British passport renewal form. If you are unsure and would like to confirm your selection, feel free to contact our team of British passport experts using the simple form below.
To find out more about the requirements to renew a UK passport, click here.
Contact U.K.ABROAD for fast & easy British passport applications, renewals or replacements from abroad.
