Renew or replace your adult passport

Printable version

1. Overview

It costs £88.50 to renew or replace your passport if you apply online or £100 if you fill in a paper form.

You must be aged 16 or over (or turning 16 in the next 3 weeks) to get an adult passport. There’s a different process to get a passport for a child.

There are different ways to renew or replace your passport if you’re outside the UK.

How long it takes

Check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply.

If you need a passport urgently, you can find out more about the Online Premium or 1 week Fast Track services.

Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.

Tracking your passport application

You can track your passport application using your application reference number.

Getting your new 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)

2. Renew

You must renew your passport before you can travel if either:

  • your passport has expired
  • you do not have enough time left on it

How much time you need on your passport depends on the country you’re visiting. Check the entry requirements of the country you want to travel to.

There are different rules if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged or you need to change your name or personal details.

If your passport is burgundy or has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it as long as it’s valid for travel.

Supporting documents

To renew your passport you’ll need:

  • your old passport
  • any valid passports you have from a different country - send either a colour photocopy of every page (including blank ones) or the physical passport

Renew online

Use this service to renew your passport online. It costs £88.50.

You’ll need:

Renew online

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Renew using a paper application form

You can get a paper application form by either:

It costs £100. You can pay by either:

  • debit or credit card - fill in the form in the application pack
  • cheque - made payable to ‘HM Passport Office’

You’ll need 2 new and identical printed photos of yourself.

Unexpired visas

Send your previous passport with the visa attached to it with your application. Your previous passport will be returned to you.

You’ll be able to use the visa if you carry both passports.

The rules are different if you’re travelling to Russia.

3. Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must cancel it before applying for a replacement.

If your passport is damaged you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it.

HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if:

  • you cannot read any of your details
  • any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
  • there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
  • the cover is coming away
  • there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

If you need to attend an interview

Video interviews are taking place online. If you need an interview, you’ll be contacted after your application has been processed to book it.

Replace online

Use this service to replace your passport online. It costs £88.50.

You’ll need:

You’ll need to ask someone to confirm your identity online if you’re replacing a lost or stolen passport.

Replace online

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Replace using a paper application form

You can get a paper application form by either:

It costs £100. You can pay by either:

  • debit or credit card - fill in the form in the application pack
  • cheque - made payable to ‘HM Passport Office’

You’ll need 2 new and identical printed photos of yourself.

You can use the Post Office Check and Send service if you’re using a paper form. The address to send it to is on the form.

Countersignatories

You need to get your application form and 1 of your photos signed by someone else to prove your identity.