If you need a passport to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline.
If you have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) and have a non-British passport, the name and gender on your non-British passport must match the name and gender you want on your British passport.
If they’re different, change the details on your non-British passport before you apply for a new British passport.
If your child is under 12, you’ll need to ask someone to confirm their identity after you’ve submitted the application.
Let the person know that they’ll receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They’ll confirm your child’s identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.
Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they’re 12 or over.
If your child is 11 or under or cannot be recognised from their old passport photo you’ll need to get someone else, known as a ‘countersignatory’, to fill in section 10 and certify your child’s photo.
If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.
Countersigning the application
If your child is under 12, you’ll need to get their application and one of their photos countersigned.
If your child is 12 or over, you only need to do this if they cannot be recognised from the photo in their current passport.
Choose how you want your documents sent back
Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra £5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.
Getting your passport
Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They’ll either:
post it through your letterbox
hand it to you if you’re home
leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)