A passport is your ticket to explore the world, and you won’t get very far from the UK without one. Only the queen is allowed to travel overseas with no passport (because, officially, she issues them), and with Brexit around the corner, UK residents now need a passport for even more countries. But what documents do you need to get a passport?
All the documents listed below must be originals, not photocopies. We often help with getting copies of documents certified, but rules are different for passport applications – you will need original documents or ‘official’ copies.
We do however offer a notarised translation service for documents that are not written in English or Welsh.
If you were born or adopted in the UK before 1983, you will need…
A full birth certificate should have details about your parents, as well as details about yourself. If you need to order an official copy of your birth certificate, you can do so from here. Costs will vary depending on your circumstances.
If you were born or adopted in the UK during or after 1983, you will need…
You will also need one of the below documents, as well as the above, to get your passport:
If you send documents relating to your father, you also need to send your parents’ marriage certificate.
If you were born outside the UK and have a certificate or naturalisation/registration, you will need…
You will need original copies of both of the above documents. A naturalisation or registration certificate is given to a person when they are granted British citizenship. If you need a replacement, you may be able to get one from here.
If you were born outside the UK, are a Citizen of a British overseas country, and were born before 1983…
You will need original copies of all three of the above documents. British Overseas citizens (or BOCs) are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. The nationality gives favoured status if residing in the UK, but no automatic right of abode. There are currently around 12,000 BOCs with active British passports.
If you were born outside the UK, were born before 1983, and your father was born in the UK…
If you need an official copy of your parents’ birth or marriage certificate, you can order one from here.
If you were born outside the UK, during or after 1983, you will need…
If you send documents relating to your father, you also need to send your parents’ marriage certificate, showing what year he married your mother. This is because, in 1983, new immigration rules were introduced, relating to marriage.
If none of the above apply to your circumstances, you can read the official guidance booklet for more details.
Once you have a British passport, the renewal is relatively easy, compared to getting a new passport for the first time.
Renewing your passport digitally
You won’t need any documents to renew your passport digitally, but you will need a current photograph of yourself, a credit or debit card, and your current passport. You can renew your passport here on the official government website.
Renewing your passport the old-fashioned way
If you want to renew your passport without using a computer, with paper application forms, you can get these from any Post Office with a Check and Send service. Or, you can call the Passport Adviceline and ask them to send you a form.
You will need to fill in your card details in the form, or send a cheque, along with two printed passport photos.
An emergency passport is also known as an “emergency travel document”, and can be applied for if you can’t get a new passport in time. They are often used by British nationals stranded outside of the UK, who have lost their passport, or have had it stolen. Passports take weeks to be given or renewed, so these documents are essential for emergencies.
Please note that emergency travel documents usually can’t be given if you’ve never had a UK passport before.
To get an emergency travel document, you will need the following documents…
If you’re stranded in another country without a passport, you may need to visit the British embassy or consulate.
An “emergency passport” may also refer to people in the UK needing to get a proper passport urgently. This is a separate thing from an emergency travel document. You can apply for a passport urgently if you need to travel for compassionate reasons (e.g. a funeral), travel urgently for work, or urgently need a passport to prove your identity.
To apply for a passport urgently, you will need the following documents…
You will need the same documents to apply for a passport as you would normally, depending on your individual circumstance, alongside any documents or proof of your situation specified by the Passport Adviceline.
If you change your name, you need to get a new passport. This also applies if you change your gender, or your appearance through plastic surgery. The most usual for a name change is getting married – you will need to send your marriage or civil partnership certificate when you apply for a new passport. Or, send a ‘passports for newlyweds and civil partners’ form signed by the registrar, if you’re applying for a post-dated passport prior to getting married.
If you’re getting divorced
If you’re getting divorced, multiple documents are needed to change the name on your passport.
If you’ve changed your gender
You will also need to get a new passport if you have changed your gender. You’ll need to send either:
If you’re changing the spelling, or adding a title
Accepting a knighthood, or changing your name from Brian to Bryan? You’ll need to send two of the following:
If you’ve changed your name for another reason
For any other reasons for a name change, you will need either a deed poll, a statutory declaration, or an affidavit. You will also need to send proof that you’re using your new name (such as a payslip), and any previous name changes.
Further information about changing your name or details can be found on the government website.
Passports are one of the most important documents you can carry, and not sending original supporting documents can delay the process of getting one. If you have your original documents, you must send these – not photocopies, not even certified copies. If you have lost a document, such as your birth certificate, you need to order an official copy.
It’s natural to be reluctant to hand over your original birth or marriage certificate, or the original birth certificate or marriage certificate of a parent. If the document has sentimental value, you may wish to order a duplicate to use.
Documents are sent back separately from your passport – if they don’t arrive in a few weeks, it’s good to chase up.
A notary can certify documents for use abroad, and can create a certified copy of your passport, but can’t help with certifying documents for a passport application itself. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us.
Need a concrete example? Read our dedicated blog about moving to Russia from the UK.