Passport Articles | General Passports

Passport Renewal, Online, Post & In Person

Peak season for passport applications is between the months of January to August. Most people are unaware of the many different services on offer, however each service has certain requirements depending on whether the applicant is an adult or a child, if there is any name changes and if the passport is lost,stolen or damaged.

We have prepared this extensive guide to help you choose the best way to apply for or renew your passport depending on your particular circumstances.


Ways to apply:


Apply or Renew Online

You can apply for your passport or renew an existing passport online here:

Apply/Renew Online

When applying online it will ask you to fill in various personal details including your full name, address and your previous passport details (if applicable). In certain circumstances such as first time and child applications, details or parent and grandparents details will also be requested.

Once your application has been submitted online you will be sent your Declaration Form via email, once received you will need to print, sign and date this form and send it in the post (along with any required supporting documents such as photos, birth certificates and/or proof of name changes).

How long will it take?

Timescales for applications via post will be 2-4 weeks from date they are sent

(!) Note if you need you passport within 4 weeks it is best that you use an Urgent Service as there is no guarantee on when you will receive it if you use the postal service.


Book Urgent Service



Apply or Renew By Post

If you wish to renew your passport by filling in a hand written form you will need to obtain a Standard Passport Renew Form from your local Post Office branch (please note that this must be a large town branch, smaller sub-branches in local shops will not often stock these forms).

Once you have filled in your form you will need to send it in the post using the pre-addressed envelope provided with the form. There are three ways by which to send this as follows:

• Use a local post box and send using the pre-paid 2nd class envelope.

• Send via recorded or special delivery (this service will incur further cost from the Post Office and is only recommend if you would like the supporting documents enclosed to be tracked)

• Using the Post Office Check & Send Service this means that the Post Office will check your form and supporting documents to confirm that what you have filled in/supplied is correct. They will charge a fee for this service and please note that this will not speed up your application in any way, it will be the same time-scales as sending via 2nd class post.

How long will it take?

Timescales for applications via post will be 2-4 weeks from date they are sent

(!) Note if you need you passport within 4 weeks it is best that you use an Urgent Service as there is no guarantee on when you will receive it if you use the postal service.



Renew/Replace In Person (Urgent Services)

If you need your passport renewed or replaced urgently or you are planning on traveling withi 4 weeks, then we recommend that you use one of the urgent services. This means that you will need to book an appointment in advanced at one of the local Passport Offices listed below:

London Passport Office
Peterborough Passport Office
Newport Passport Office
Liverpool Passport Office
Durham Passport Office
Glasgow Passport Office
Belfast Passport Office

Services on offer include:

• 1 Day Premium Service (Individuals aged 16 or over)
• 7 Day Fast-Track (Children (Renewal or First Time), Lost, Stolen or Damaged Passports)

(!) Please note that these appointments are not available for adults (aged 16 or over) that have never had a passport before. If this is the case you will unfortunately have to use the postal service.

You can book an appointment by clicking the relevant office above, or Book Urgent Appointment.

Since 2016 HM Passport Office now requires all urgent appointments to be booked and paid for in advance, this reduces queuing times and missed appointments to avoid delays on the day.

Once your appointment is booked online, you will receive confirmation via email and text message this will include details of your appointment date and time, along with additional information on what to bring with you to the appointment.

How long will it take?

When attending the appointment it will last approximately 15-20 minutes, if you have opted for the 1 Day Premium Service then you will be given a receipt and will be asked to return after 4 hours to pickup your new passport. If you have opted for the 7 Day Fast-Track Service then the new passport will be delivered to you within 7 days via secure courier service (please note that this 7 day period does include weekends however bank holidays may effect this timeframe).

Need more help?

Talk to the Passport Office team

Call Passport Advice Line

Lines open 8am-8pm

Need an urgent appointment?

Find Nearest Local Office