Website of the UK government

Who can apply

Citizenship

You can apply for a first adult passport if you are 16 or over and one of the following:

• British citizen
• British overseas territories citizen
• British subject
• British national (overseas)
• British protected person

The rules can be complicated. You can find more detailed information on each category in 'Nationality groups who are eligible for a British passport'.

If you are unsure about nationality and British citizenship you can find more information on the website of the UK Border Agency

• Nationality groups who are eligible for a British passport

• UK Border Agency, British citizenship information Opens new window

When to apply

First-time adult passport customers cannot use the Fast Track one-week or Premium one-day service. This is because they need to have an interview as part of the application process.

Young people and adult passports

Application for a young person over the age of 16

When a child reaches 16 they can apply for a first adult passport if either of the following is true:

• they never had a child passport
• they were included on a parent's passport rather than having a child passport of their own

If they have a child passport they can continue to use it until it runs out. The next passport they apply for should be an adult passport renewal.

• Renewing or extending your adult passport

Application for a young person under the age of 16

If the application is for a person under the age of 16, you should apply for a child passport (which is valid for five years). But if the child is likely to turn 16 before the passport is issued you should:

• apply as though they are 16
• send IPS the adult fee for a ten-year passport

Non-UK residents

If you do not live in the UK, you can apply in person to renew your passport while visiting the UK. To do this you need to call the IPS Passport Adviceline on +44 (0)300 222 0000 to make an appointment at a Regional Passport Office. You must also provide an address in the UK to which IPS can post the new passport.

IPS cannot accept applications sent from overseas. If you would like to apply for a British Passport while living abroad, you must contact your local embassy, high commission or consulate about applying for a passport overseas.

As it usually takes around six weeks to issue a first passport, you should not make travel plans during this time. You may also be asked to attend an interview. If you have any questions, please contact your local embassy, high commission or consulate.

• Applying for a new or renewed child passport

Next steps - first adult passport

To get an application form, check the fee and find out what supporting documents you need to provide, follow the link below.

• The application form, fee and supporting documents for a first adult passport

Making a note of the application barcode number

Make sure you make a note of the application barcode number before sending it to IPS. You will need this if you want to make enquiries about your application or track its progress.

• Checking the progress of your passport application