The basics

If you live overseas – you can apply for a passport at many British embassies, consulates and high commissions. You can also apply to renew your passport while you are visiting the UK. To do this, you need to make an appointment with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in person. You must also provide an address in the UK, to enable us to post the passport to you. You will have to be available at this address to sign for your passport.

If you are resident in the UK – the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications. You’ll find all the forms you need, and instructions, on the IPS website.

The process

1. Print out the application form from the list below. We have provided guidance notes to help you to complete your application. Please note that the forms below are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To open them on screen and print them out, you’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4 or above). You can download it free of charge from the Adobe website.
2. Once you have printed out and completed the forms, please initial each page in the box provided. We cannot accept your application if this is not done. If an applicant is unable to write, their thumbprint in the signature box may be accepted. In this case, you must provide a letter from a responsible person - such as a relative, doctor or the counter-signatory- confirming the reason(s) why the applicant is unable to sign. The counter-signatory does not need to witness the thumbprint.
3. You must also include two identical passport photographs, taken within the last three months. The quality, style and appearance of passport photographs must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). You'll find further information on the requirements on the IPS website.
4. Submit your form and supporting documents, together with the fee (in local currency) to the British Embassy. You can bring the application yourself or send a representative to submit your application on your behalf.  The Embassy in Abu Dhabi also accepts applications by post.
5. If you wish someone else to collect the new passport they will need the original receipt and a letter of authority from you.  If you are a parent collecting a child's passport and the other parent submitted the original application, please bring the receipt with you together with a letter of authority from submitting parent confirming they are happy for you to collect your child's new passport.  

The Embassy in Abu Dhabi accepts payment for passport fees by credit card or in cash dirhams.  The Embassy in Dubai accepts payment only in cash dirhams.  An official receipt must be obtained for all fees paid.  Passport fees are non-refundable.  See our fees page for further details.

 

Application forms

Form C1: Please complete form C1 if you are over the age of 16, and are renewing your UK passport overseas and are a British citizen, Dependant Territories Citizen, British Overseas or British protected person. This form should not be used if you are a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong. In this case, please use form BNO-A instead.

C1 Form (PDF, 205K)
C1 Notes (PDF, 120 K)
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form C2: Please complete form C2 if you are under the age of 16, and are  renewing a United Kingdom passport overseas and are a British citizen, Dependant Territories Citizen, British Overseas or British protected person. This form should not be used if you are a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong. In this case, please use form BNO-B instead.

C2 Form (PDF, 70K)
C2 Notes (PDF, 34K)
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form BNO-A: Please complete form BNO-A if you are over the age of 16 and renewing a passport overseas as a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong.

BNO-A Form
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Form BNO-B: Please complete form BNO-B if you are under the age of 16, and are renewing a passport overseas as a British National (Overseas) who has a close connection with Hong Kong.

BNO-B Form
The IPS Guide to Taking a Good Photo for Your Passport.

 

Renewing your passport whilst visiting the UK

To renew whilst visiting the UK, you need to make an appointment with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) in person. You must also provide an address in the UK, to enable us to post the passport to you. You will have to be available at this address to sign for your passport.

Resident in the UK

If you are resident in the UK the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deal with all passport applications. You’ll find all the forms you need, and instructions, on the IPS website.

Free passports for those born before 2 September 1929

British nationals born before 2 September 1929 are now eligible to receive passports free of charge. These applications have to be processed in Liverpool, which takes roughly eight weeks. You’ll need to use a different application form, and these are available from British embassies, consulates & high commissions. If you are overseas, these applications should be sent to the nearest passport-processing British embassy, consulate or high commission.

 

Consular staff reserve the right to interview any applicants to confirm their identity.  This is to help defeat passport fraud and identity theft.