How to Apply for a Passport Renewal in the UK

If you’ve been searching for “how do i apply for a passport renewal in the uk”, you’re in the right place. How do you apply for a passport renewal in the UK? Whether yours is expiring, full, damaged or lost, the process is straightforward — but the details matter, because getting them wrong means delays, and delays mean missed holidays. Here’s the complete 2026 guide: online vs paper, costs, timescales, and the express options when you’re in a hurry.

Do You Actually Need a Renewal? (The Brexit Rules)

First, check whether your passport is still valid for your plans — post-Brexit EU rules catch people out:

• For EU travel, your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago on the day you enter, AND have at least 3 months’ validity remaining on the day you leave.
• Extra months added to old 10-year passports (pre-2018 practice) don’t count toward the 10 years. A passport issued in March 2016 valid until August 2026? For EU travel it expired in March 2026.
• For non-EU destinations, rules vary — many require 6 months’ validity. Check gov.uk’s travel advice for your destination.

Use the gov.uk passport checker — it takes 30 seconds and removes all doubt.

How Do I Apply for a Passport Renewal in the UK? Online (Recommended)

1. Go to gov.uk — renew your adult passport. Beware copycat sites charging “processing fees” — the official service is only on gov.uk.
2. Fill in the form — personal details, passport number, and a countersignatory if required (needed if you can’t be recognised from your old photo, or for first adult passports).
3. Upload a digital photo — taken to passport standards (plain background, no filters, specific dimensions — the online tool checks it). Most phone photos work if you follow the guidance.
4. Pay: £88.50 online for a standard 34-page adult passport (2026 pricing — always verify on gov.uk as fees change).
5. Send your old passport by post when asked (or it may be cancelled without return in some cases — check the instructions).

Paper application

Pick up a form at the Post Office (their Check & Send service, ~£16 extra, checks your application before sending — worth it if you’re nervous). Costs £100 by post. Slower than online in most cases.

How Long Does It Take?

• Standard online renewal: Typically 3-4 weeks, often faster outside peak season (spring/summer is busiest).
• Paper applications: 4-6+ weeks.
• Don’t book travel until the new passport arrives — HMPO won’t expedite because you have flights booked (unless you use the urgent services below).
• Track it: You’ll get updates by email/text. If it’s been over 6 weeks, contact HMPO.

In a Hurry? The Urgent Services

Online Premium (1-day service)

For renewals of adult passports: book an appointment at a passport office, apply online in advance, attend in person, and collect the same day (usually ~4 hours later). Costs ~£207.50. Limited appointments — book the moment you know you need it. Available at London, Liverpool, Durham, Glasgow, Belfast, Newport and Peterborough offices.

1-Week Fast Track

For renewals and first child passports: apply at a passport office appointment, new passport posted within a week. Costs ~£166.50 for adults. The middle option — faster than standard, cheaper than Premium.

Note: Fast Track and Premium have eligibility rules (e.g., not for significantly changed appearance without extra checks, not for all first adult applications). Check gov.uk for current eligibility before booking.

Special Cases

• Damaged passports: Apply as a renewal but declare the damage — severely damaged passports may need a Fast Track appointment.
• Lost or stolen: Report it first (gov.uk lost passport service), then apply for a replacement — counts as a renewal if it was an adult passport.
• Name changes: Deed poll, marriage certificate or statutory declaration required as evidence.
• Child passports: Under-16s renew every 5 years; countersignatory always required; both parents’ details needed.

While You Wait: Travel Prep

Renewal in progress? Use the time to sort the rest: travel insurance (buy when you book, not when you fly), roaming setup, and currency. And if you’re booking late because the passport delayed you, our last-minute holidays guide has you covered.

Passport Photos: The Rules (and How Not to Get Rejected)

Photo rejections are the #1 cause of passport delays. The rules:

• Size and quality: 35mm x 45mm, sharp focus, no shadows, plain light background.
• Your appearance: Facing forward, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible. No head coverings (except religious, with full face visible).
• Glasses: Take them off — reflections cause rejections.
• Digital photos: The online application checks your photo automatically and tells you if it fails — use this, it’s genuinely helpful. Taken within the last month.
• DIY tips: Stand 1.5m from a plain wall in daylight (not direct sun), phone on a tripod or held by someone else at eye level, no filters, no selfies (arm’s length distorts the face).
• Babies and children: No other person or object visible, eyes open (tricky with newborns — lay them on a white sheet and photograph from above).

Photo booths (£6-10) still exist in most supermarkets and stations and guarantee compliance — worth it if your DIY attempts keep failing.

Children’s Passports: The Key Differences

• Validity: 5 years only (under-16s), versus 10 for adults — set a reminder, they expire fast.
• Countersignatory: Always required — someone who’s known you (the adult applicant) 2+ years, a UK professional, not family.
• Both parents’ details required on the application.
• Consent: Anyone with parental responsibility should consent — disputes can block issuance.
• Cost: £57.50 online for under-16s (cheaper than adult).
• First passports: May require an interview for older teens; allow extra time beyond the standard 3-4 weeks.

The Takeaway

Renew online via gov.uk (£88.50), upload a compliant photo, post the old passport, and allow 3-4 weeks — longer in spring/summer. Check the Brexit validity rules before assuming your passport is fine, and use Fast Track (£166.50/1 week) or Online Premium (£207.50/same day) if time is short. The golden rule: check expiry dates now, not when you’re booking the holiday. Future-you, boarding stress-free, says thanks.