Passport renewal UK takes around three weeks for standard online applications. The fee from 8 April 2026 is £102 online or £115.50 by post — an increase of approximately 8% from the previous fee schedule. For most adult renewals, the process takes around 10 minutes online, and your old passport does not need to be posted anywhere.
This guide covers all three UK passport journeys: passport renewal (existing passport), passport application (first-time passport), and replacing a lost or stolen passport. However, each has different requirements — starting on the wrong route is the single most common cause of application delays.
If you already know which route you need, jump to the relevant section below. Otherwise, read the section on common mistakes first — it will save you time whichever route applies.
What most people get wrong about passport renewal UK
Three misunderstandings account for most avoidable delays and rejections when it comes to UK passport renewal.
Confusing passport renewal with a first-time passport application
The most common error is picking the wrong service. Passport renewal UK is for people who already hold a UK adult passport. However, first-time applicants must use the general passport application service instead. Starting on the wrong route does not result in a fee — the service will redirect you — but it causes confusion and delays.
Applying for a replacement without reporting a lost passport first
Additionally, the consistent problem with lost or stolen UK passport replacements is applying for a new passport without first reporting the missing document. Applying without cancelling the old passport can trigger additional checks from HM Passport Office and slow the replacement down. Furthermore, reporting first takes around five minutes, generates a reference number for the application, and cancels the document immediately.
Assuming passport renewal requires posting your old passport
For most online passport renewals, your old passport is cancelled digitally the moment you submit your application. Therefore, you keep the document — it is simply invalidated. You cannot use it for travel from that point, but there is no need to send it anywhere. The idea that you must post it is a persistent misconception.
Underestimating passport renewal UK processing times
Three weeks is a typical processing time for online renewal, not a guaranteed one. However, HM Passport Office officially advises allowing up to 10 weeks, and that figure reflects real experience during peak periods — June through August and around school holiday windows. Consequently, booking travel in advance of holding your new passport is a meaningful risk during those periods.
Passport renewal UK: how to renew your passport
Most adult UK passport renewals qualify for the online service. Additionally, it is the cheapest and fastest route for passport renewal UK.
Can I renew my passport online?
You can renew online if you are 16 or over (or turning 16 within the next three weeks), your appearance has not changed significantly since your last passport photo, and you do not need to change your name or any personal details. The large majority of adult renewals qualify.
However, you will need to apply by post if your appearance has changed to the point where you cannot reliably be recognised from your existing photo, you are changing your name or other personal details, or you are applying from outside the UK. Overseas applications follow a separate process — see Overseas passport applications – GOV.UK.
Furthermore, there are two edge cases worth knowing. If your most recent passport was issued before you turned 16, HM Passport Office treats this as a first-time adult application rather than a passport renewal. Similarly, if your previous adult passport was issued more than 15 years ago, the online service may flag this and request additional evidence. In both cases the online service will tell you what to do when you apply.
How to renew your passport online
Start at Apply or renew a passport – GOV.UK. The service covers adult renewals, first applications, and child passports in one place. Additionally, if you want to go directly to the adult renewal route, use Renew an adult passport – GOV.UK.
You will need a digital passport photo that meets HMPO’s requirements, your existing passport details, and a debit or credit card. The application takes around 10 minutes.
Once you submit, your old passport is cancelled automatically. Therefore, do not use it for travel from that point. Your new passport arrives by courier or Royal Mail, and HM Passport Office sends updates at each stage by email or text. In addition, you can follow progress using Track your passport application – GOV.UK with your reference number.
Notably, a countersignatory is not required for most standard adult renewals. One is only needed if your appearance has changed significantly and your existing photo is no longer a reliable likeness of you.
UK passport renewal by post
Postal passport renewal UK costs £115.50 and takes up to 10 weeks — compared to £102 and around three weeks online. Consequently, applying online is cheaper and faster for the majority of people who qualify.
However, if you need to apply by post, the Post Office offers a Digital Check and Send service at £16 on top of the standard fee. Staff check your application for errors, take a compliant photo, and submit everything to HM Passport Office by Special Delivery. Additionally, this does not speed up processing but significantly reduces the risk of rejection. Total cost with Check and Send is £131.50.
You must renew by post if your appearance has changed significantly, you are changing your name or personal details, the online service has declined your application, or you are applying from abroad. Paper application forms are available at any Post Office offering the Check and Send service.
For name changes by marriage or civil partnership, bring your original certificate. For deed poll or statutory declaration changes, the original document is required — photocopies are not accepted.
How far in advance can you renew a UK passport?
You can renew a UK passport up to nine months before your current passport expires. Any remaining validity on your old passport is not carried over — adult passports are always issued with 10 years of validity from the date of issue.
Renewing a child’s UK passport
Children under 16 must each hold their own passport. Additionally, child passports are valid for five years, and a child cannot be added to or travel on a parent’s passport. The renewal fee for children from 8 April 2026 is £66.50 online or £80 by post.
To renew a child’s passport, use Apply or renew a passport – GOV.UK. The application requires the consent of everyone with parental responsibility. If parents are separated, both parties generally need to consent. However, if one parent refuses or cannot be contacted, you may need a court order — HM Passport Office can and does decline applications where consent is disputed without supporting legal documentation.
Furthermore, a countersignatory is required for child passport renewals if the child is under 11 or if their appearance has changed significantly. For child applications, the countersignatory must have known the parent or guardian for at least two years and must be able to confirm their relationship with the child.
UK passport application: how to apply for a first passport
First-time UK passport applications use the same GOV.UK service as passport renewal but follow a different route with different document requirements.
Who can make a UK passport application?
You can apply if you are a British citizen, a British Overseas Territories citizen, a British Overseas citizen, a British Subject, a British National (Overseas), or a British Protected Person. The type of passport you receive depends on which category of British nationality you hold. If you are unsure, check Types of British nationality – GOV.UK before applying.
Additionally, if you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, British citizenship is not automatic — it depends on your parents’ nationality and status at the time of your birth. This affects which supporting documents are required. However, if your eligibility is unclear, HM Passport Office may contact you for additional information during processing, which can extend your timeline.
Documents you need for a first UK passport application
Requirements vary by circumstance, but for most UK-born first-time applicants the core documents are:
- Your full UK birth certificate showing both parents’ details. A short birth certificate is not accepted and will cause rejection.
- Evidence of parental nationality or immigration status, if your entitlement depends on a parent’s status at the time of your birth.
- Proof of any name changes since birth. If your current name differs from your birth certificate, you must provide a continuous chain of evidence — marriage certificate, deed poll, statutory declaration, or court order as applicable. Original documents are required; photocopies are not accepted.
Furthermore, if you were not born in the UK, or if your British citizenship was acquired through registration or naturalisation, additional nationality documents will be required. A full checklist is available within the Passport application service – GOV.UK.
Countersignatory rules for a first UK passport application
A countersignatory confirms your identity as part of a first-time or replacement passport application. Additionally, one is required for almost every first-time adult application, every first child passport, and every lost or stolen replacement. However, you do not normally need one for a standard adult passport renewal where your appearance has not changed.
Your countersignatory must:
- Have known you personally for at least two years — as a friend, neighbour, or colleague, not simply in a professional capacity
- Be able to confirm your identity from your photo
- Be a person of good standing in their community, or currently work in or be retired from a recognised profession — the full list is on Countersigning a passport application – GOV.UK
- Hold a current British or Irish passport if you are applying from within the UK
Your countersignatory cannot be a close relative (parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild), your spouse or civil partner, an unmarried partner, anyone living at the same address, or an HM Passport Office employee. The independence requirement is firm.
For paper applications, your countersignatory must sign the application form and write on the back of one of your two photos: “I certify that this is a true likeness of [your full name]”, with their signature and the date. Additionally, they must provide their passport number.
However, for online applications, your countersignatory receives a secure link by email and confirms your identity digitally. You will be asked to provide their email address during the application.
If you genuinely cannot find someone who meets the criteria — this can happen for people who have recently arrived in the UK — contact the Passport Adviceline. HM Passport Office has processes for these situations, which may involve an interview or additional documents.
How to apply for a first UK passport
Use the Passport application service – GOV.UK. The service covers first applications, renewals, and child passports in one place. However, select the correct application type when prompted — do not select the adult renewal route if you have not held a UK adult passport before.
You will need a digital passport photo meeting HMPO’s technical requirements, your supporting documents, and a debit or credit card. Additionally, use Photos for passports – GOV.UK to verify your photo before submitting — photo rejection is the most common avoidable cause of delays.
Notably, first-time adult applications take slightly longer to process than standard renewals, typically around four to six weeks in normal conditions. HM Passport Office advises allowing up to 10 weeks. This is because first-time applications involve identity and nationality checks that renewals do not. Fast Track is available if you need your passport sooner. However, Premium same-day is not available for first-time applications.
Lost or stolen UK passport: how to report and replace
If your passport is missing, follow the two-step process below. Notably, do not apply for a replacement first — report the loss first.
Reporting a lost or stolen UK passport
First, use Report your lost or stolen passport – GOV.UK before you do anything else. This cancels the document immediately and generates a reference number you will need for your replacement application. Additionally, reporting takes around five minutes online.
However, if you cannot access the online service, you can report by phone via the HMPO Adviceline — check gov.uk for current contact numbers before calling.
If your passport was stolen rather than lost, report the theft to the police as well and obtain a crime reference number. You may be asked to supply this during the replacement application. Furthermore, even if the police cannot recover the document, the report creates a record that protects you if the passport is used fraudulently.
Once reported, a lost passport cannot be reinstated. Consequently, if it turns up after you have reported it, do not attempt to use it for travel — it is permanently cancelled. You will need your replacement passport to travel.
Replacing a lost or stolen UK passport
Once you have reported the loss, the replacement application follows the same process and document requirements as a first-time UK passport application. Use the Passport application service – GOV.UK and select the replacement route. Additionally, you will need your report reference number.
Notably, the Premium same-day service is not available for lost or stolen replacements. However, Fast Track is available and is the fastest in-country option if you need to travel within a week.
The fee for a replacement is the same as a first passport: £102 online or £115.50 by post from 8 April 2026.
However, if you are already outside the UK and cannot wait for a replacement, see the urgent options section below.
UK passport fees 2026/27
All UK passport fees below apply from 8 April 2026. Any figures showing an adult online fee of £94.50 or £88.50 are from the previous fee schedule.
| Application type | Online | By post |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+), first passport or replacement | £102 | £115.50 |
| Adult renewal | £102 | £115.50 |
| Child (under 16), first passport, renewal or replacement | £66.50 | £80 |
| Fast Track 1 week — adult | £192 | — |
| Fast Track 1 week — adult frequent traveller | £206 | — |
| Fast Track 1 week — child | £156.50 | — |
| Fast Track 1 week — child frequent traveller | £170.50 | — |
| Premium same-day (adult renewal only) | £239.50 | — |
| Post Office Digital Check and Send | — | +£16 |
| Emergency travel document (from abroad) | £125 | — |
Additionally, confirm current UK passport fees on Passport fees – GOV.UK before applying.
How long does passport renewal UK take?
Processing time depends on the route and the type of application.
| Route | Typical processing time |
|---|---|
| Adult passport renewal, online | Around 3 weeks |
| First UK passport application or replacement, online | Around 4 to 6 weeks |
| Any application by post | Up to 10 weeks |
| Fast Track (appointment required) | Around 1 week from appointment |
| Premium same-day (adult renewal only) | Same day |
However, processing starts when HM Passport Office receives and validates your application, not when you submit it. For postal applications, allow mailing time in both directions. Additionally, if additional documents are requested during processing, your timeline resets from when HM Passport Office receives them.
Track your passport application – GOV.UK using the reference number from your application confirmation. However, if your passport has not arrived within the expected window, contact the Passport Adviceline — do not submit a duplicate application.
Finally, check Current passport processing times – GOV.UK before applying, particularly during peak periods.
Urgent UK passport options
Three routes exist for urgent applications, but each has strict eligibility rules.
Fast Track UK passport (one week)
Fast Track is available for passport renewal, replacements, name changes, and child passports. However, it is not available for first-time adult applications — GOV.UK explicitly states these must use the standard service.
You apply via the Urgent passport service – GOV.UK, book an appointment at a UK passport office, and attend in person with your documents. Your passport is delivered by courier approximately one week after the appointment. Additionally, the earliest available appointment is the next day after you apply — in peak periods the earliest slot may be several days away, so factor this into your total timeline.
Fast Track costs £192 for an adult passport (or £206 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) and £156.50 for a child passport (or £170.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).
Premium same-day UK passport renewal
Premium same-day is available for adult passport renewal only. However, it cannot be used for first-time applications, children’s passports, or replacements for lost or stolen documents. If you fall into any of those categories and need to travel urgently, Fast Track is your only in-country option. The Premium same-day fee is £239.50.
Emergency travel document (from abroad)
If you are already outside the UK without a valid passport, apply for an Emergency travel document – GOV.UK.
However, you must have held a UK passport issued on or after 1 January 2006. The fee is £125. The document is typically ready to collect within two working days from your nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate. Notably, it is valid for a specific journey only — if your plans change after applying, you will need to reapply and pay the £125 fee again. Additionally, some countries do not accept emergency travel documents, so check the entry requirements for every country on your route before travelling.
UK passport photo requirements
Photo rejection is the most common avoidable cause of passport application delays. Consequently, HM Passport Office has strict technical requirements.
What your UK passport photo must show
- Your full face, looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression and mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible, with no hair covering them
- No glasses, unless a medical reason applies (evidence required)
- No head covering, unless for religious or medical reasons (face must remain fully visible)
- A plain, light-coloured background with no shadows
UK passport photo specifications
- Digital format for online applications, or printed on photographic paper for postal applications
- Colour, not black and white
- Taken within the last month
- Not edited by any software (no filters, no beauty adjustments)
However, use the Passport photo checker – GOV.UK before submitting your application to verify your photo meets requirements. Additionally, photo booths at Post Offices offering the Check and Send service also produce compliant photos.
Frequently asked questions
How do I renew my UK passport?
Use the online service at gov.uk/apply-renew-passport if you are 16 or over, your appearance has not changed significantly, and you are not changing your name. Passport renewal takes around three weeks and costs £102 online or £115.50 by post from 8 April 2026.
How long does UK passport renewal take?
Standard online passport renewal takes around three weeks from when HM Passport Office receives your application. However, HM Passport Office advises allowing up to 10 weeks to be safe, particularly between June and August. Postal passport renewal takes up to 10 weeks.
Can I renew my UK passport online?
Yes, if you are 16 or over, your appearance has not changed significantly, and you are not changing your name or personal details. Additionally, most adult renewals qualify. Start at gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.
Do I need to send my old passport when renewing online?
Not for most online passport renewals. Your old passport is cancelled digitally when you submit your application and cannot be used for travel from that point. However, you do not need to post it anywhere. Exceptions apply if you are changing personal details or your appearance has changed significantly.
How much does a UK passport cost in 2026?
From 8 April 2026: £102 online or £115.50 by post for adults. £66.50 online or £80 by post for children. Additionally, Fast Track costs £192 for adults or £156.50 for children. Premium same-day costs £239.50 (adult renewal only).
How far in advance can I renew my UK passport?
You can renew a UK passport up to nine months before your current passport expires. However, any remaining validity on your old passport is not carried over — adult passports are always issued with 10 years of validity from the date of issue.
How do I apply for a UK passport for the first time?
Use the passport application service at gov.uk/apply-renew-passport. Additionally, you will need your full UK birth certificate (long form), supporting documents, a countersignatory, a compliant photo, and payment of £102 online or £115.50 by post from April 2026.
What documents do I need for a UK passport application?
For most UK-born applicants: your full birth certificate showing both parents’ details, evidence of any name changes since birth, and proof of parental nationality or immigration status if relevant. The full checklist is on gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.
Who can be my countersignatory for a UK passport application?
Someone who has known you personally for at least two years, can confirm your identity from your photo, and holds a current British or Irish passport (if you are in the UK). Additionally, they must be a person of good standing or work in a recognised profession. However, close relatives, partners, and anyone you live with cannot countersign.
What do I do if my UK passport is lost or stolen?
Report it at gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport immediately. This cancels the document and gives you a reference number for your replacement application. Additionally, if stolen, report to the police and get a crime reference number. Then apply for a replacement via gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.
What is the Fast Track UK passport service?
Fast Track delivers your passport approximately one week after your appointment at a passport office. It costs £192 for adults and £156.50 for children, and is available for renewals, replacements, name changes, and child passports. However, it is not available for first-time adult applications.
Does my UK passport number change when I renew?
Yes. Your new passport will have a different number from your old one. Consequently, do not assume your existing travel bookings will automatically reflect the change — update your passport details with airlines and operators once your new passport arrives.
Can I get an emergency UK passport if I am abroad?
Apply via the emergency travel document service at gov.uk/travel-urgently-from-abroad-without-uk-passport if you are outside the UK, have held a UK passport issued on or after 1 January 2006, and cannot wait for a replacement. The fee is £125. However, it is valid for a specific journey only.
Can I renew my UK passport if it expired more than 15 years ago?
You may be able to, but HM Passport Office may request additional evidence and in some cases treat the application as a new adult UK passport application rather than a renewal. However, the online service will flag this when you apply.
How do I renew my child’s UK passport?
Use gov.uk/apply-renew-passport. Additionally, consent from everyone with parental responsibility is generally required. Child passport renewal costs £66.50 online or £80 by post from April 2026. Notably, child passports are valid for five years.
What happens if I find my UK passport after reporting it lost?
It cannot be used for travel. Reporting a passport permanently cancels it. Consequently, attempting to travel on a cancelled passport may result in it being confiscated at the border. You will need your replacement document to travel.
Next Steps
- Proof of identity without a passport – GOVexplained
- How to change your name legally in the UK – GOVexplained
Other sources
- Apply or renew a passport – GOV.UK
- Renew an adult passport – GOV.UK
- Report a lost or stolen passport – GOV.UK
- Get a passport urgently – GOV.UK
- Passport fees – GOV.UK
- Current passport processing times – GOV.UK
- Photos for passports – GOV.UK
- Countersigning passport applications – GOV.UK
- Emergency travel documents – GOV.UK
- Overseas passport applications – GOV.UK