Website of the UK government

Who can use the online form

You can use the online form to apply for any type of individual UK passport.

The online application form is not suitable for:

• customers who live outside the UK
• customers who need their passport within four weeks
• customers who need a collective (group) passport

If you live outside the UK you need to make an appointment to apply in person at a Regional Passport Office. You can do this by calling the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. The line is open seven days a week between 7.00 am and 11.00 pm. Alternatively, you can apply through the UK consulate in the country where you live. You can find this on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.

If you need your passport within four weeks you should look at the services set out in ‘Timetable for passport applications’.

For all information on collective passports, follow the link to ‘Collective (or group) passports’.

• Find UK embassies and consulates around the world (FCO) Opens new window

• Timetable for passport applications

• Collective (group) passports

Instructions for filling in the online form

The form includes help and detailed instructions at every stage.

When you have filled in and submitted the form, it is sent online to IPS. IPS then prints it and posts you the printout. You should check your details and sign and return the form to IPS with your photographs and any supporting documents needed for your application.

If you would like to check what supporting documents you need to provide, follow the link below for the type of application you are making.

• First adult passport

• Adult passport renewal

• Child passport (first or renewal)

• Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

• Changing the name on your passport

Why IPS prints out the application form for you

An application form printed on a normal desktop printer run from a home computer would not be of good enough quality. It is likely that your completed form would be unusable.

Why the whole application is not done electronically

In theory, you could email IPS not just your details on the application form, but also digital photos, scanned documents and a scanned or electronic signature. However, this service is not available for a variety of reasons, including:

• most ordinary scanners are not able to send data that is accurate enough for IPS’s highly specialised equipment
• there is an increased risk of fraud, especially identity theft, associated with the use of digital photos

• Launch the online application form Opens new window

Returning the form and noting your barcode number

If you return the form to IPS by standard post, you should make a note of the application barcode number. This is the 10-digit number at the top of the front page of the application form. You will need to quote this if you make enquiries about your application.

If you return the form using the Post Office Check & Send service, you will be given a receipt when you hand over your application. Please keep the receipt as you will need it (or your application barcode number) if you make enquiries about your application.

For more information please follow the link below.

• Checking the progress of your passport application