Get a passport for your child

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1. Overview

You apply for a child passport if your child is under 16. It costs 拢57.50 to apply online and 拢69 to apply with a paper form from the Post Office. A child passport is valid for 5 years.

There are different rules if you鈥檙e applying from outside the UK.

Who can apply

Someone with parental responsibility for the child must apply for the passport.

You need to give both parents鈥� details when you apply. If you cannot provide the other parent鈥檚 details, you need to say why (for example, you鈥檙e the only parent named on the birth certificate or you adopted the child on your own).

How long it takes

Check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply.

If you need a passport urgently, you can find out more about the Online Premium or 1 week Fast Track services.

Do not book travel until you have a valid passport.

What you should apply for

Situation Action
Your child is under 16 and has never had a British passport Apply for a first child passport
Your child is under 16 and has a British passport Renew your child鈥檚 passport
Your child is under 16 and their British passport has been lost or stolen Apply to replace a lost or stolen passport
Your child is under 16 and their British passport is damaged Apply to replace a damaged passport
Your child is under 16 and has a British passport but some of their details have changed Apply for a new passport
Your child is over 16 (or will be in 3 weeks) and had a British child passport Follow the process for renewing or replacing an adult passport
Your child is over 16 (or will be in 3 weeks) and has never had a British passport Apply for a first adult passport

2. Apply for a first child passport

If your child has never had a British passport you must apply for a first child passport.

Your child must have British nationality to be eligible for a British passport.

Apply online

It costs 拢57.50.

To apply online you鈥檒l need:

  • a digital photo of your child (or a device that takes digital photos)
  • supporting documents
  • a credit or debit card

Start application

Apply and pay for the passport online.

This service is also available .

Ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity

After you鈥檝e paid and submitted the application, you鈥檒l need to ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity.

Let the person know that they鈥檒l receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They鈥檒l confirm your child鈥檚 identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.

Find out who can confirm your child鈥檚 identity and what they need to do.

Apply by post

It costs 拢69.

You can apply by post by either:

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they鈥檙e 12 or over. You need to get someone else, known as your 鈥榗ountersignatory鈥�, to fill in section 10 and certify your child鈥檚 photo.

Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application.

To send in your application, you can either:

  • post your form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form
  • take your form, photos and documents to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service

Signing the application

Someone with parental responsibility must sign the form.

If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.

Supporting documents

You must send original documents or official copies of certificates. Photocopies are not accepted, even 鈥榗ertified copies鈥�.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you鈥檒l need to send certified translations as well as the originals.

You cannot send laminated documents.

If the name on the passport does not match what鈥檚 on the birth certificate

You must send:

  • a signed and dated letter from everyone with parental responsibility confirming the name change and that they agree to the child getting a new passport
  • a deed poll
  • at least one piece of evidence that shows the new name being used, for example NHS records, child benefits or school records

What documents to provide if you apply online

If you apply online, you鈥檒l be told what documents you need to provide.

What documents to send if you apply by post

If you apply by post, you must send:

  • 2 new photos of your child
  • the child鈥檚 full birth or adoption certificate (the one with parent鈥檚 details on it)
  • proof that your child has British nationality (for example a British registration certificate, parent鈥檚 passport details or parent鈥檚 birth certificates)
  • any valid passports from a different country belonging to the child
  • any court orders relating to the child (for example, that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements)

Read the guidance notes to find out which documents you need to send.

Choose how you want your documents sent back

Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra 拢5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.

Getting your passport

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They鈥檒l either:

  • post it through your letterbox
  • hand it to you if you鈥檙e home
  • leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

You can track your passport application.

3. Renew a child passport

You can apply to renew a child passport online or by post.

If your child鈥檚 passport has expired, you must renew it before they can travel.

Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - the new passport will not have the same number as the old one.

If your child鈥檚 name or other personal details have changed, you cannot renew their passport. You must apply for a new passport instead.

Renewing a passport before it expires

How much time your child needs left on their passport depends on the country they鈥檙e visiting. Check the entry requirements of the country they鈥檙e travelling to.

Time left on your child鈥檚 old passport will not be added to their new one.

If your child鈥檚 passport is burgundy or has 鈥楨uropean Union鈥� on the cover, they can still use it as long as it has enough time left on it.

Supporting documents

To renew your child鈥檚 passport you鈥檒l need:

  • your child鈥檚 old passport
  • any valid passports from a different country your child has - send either a colour photocopy of each page (including blank ones) or the physical passport
  • any court orders relating to the child (for example, that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements)

You鈥檒l also need either digital or printed photos of your child.

Renew online

It costs 拢57.50. You can pay with a credit or debit card.

You鈥檒l need:

This service is also available .

Ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity

If your child is under 12, you鈥檒l need to ask someone to confirm their identity after you鈥檝e submitted the application.

Let the person know that they鈥檒l receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They鈥檒l confirm your child鈥檚 identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.

Find out who can confirm your child鈥檚 identity and what they need to do.

Renew by post

It costs 拢69.

You need to fill in a paper application form. You can get a paper form by either:

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they鈥檙e 12 or over.

If your child is under 12 or cannot be recognised from their old passport photo you鈥檒l need to get someone else, known as a 鈥榗ountersignatory鈥�, to:聽

Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application.

To send your application you can either:

  • post your form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form
  • take your form, photos and documents to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service

Signing the application

Someone with parental responsibility must sign the form.

If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.

Countersigning the application

If your child is under 12, you鈥檒l need to get their application and one of their photos countersigned.

If your child is 12 or over, you only need to do this if they cannot be recognised from the photo in their current passport.

Choose how you want your documents sent back

Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra 拢5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.

Getting your passport

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They鈥檒l either:

  • post it through your letterbox
  • hand it to you if you鈥檙e home
  • leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

You can track your passport application.

4. Replace a lost or stolen child passport

If your child鈥檚 passport has been lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement.

You must cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as possible. This will reduce the risk of anyone else using it.

Supporting documents

To replace your child鈥檚 passport, you鈥檒l need:

  • any valid passports from a different country your child might have
  • any court orders relating to the child (for example, that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements)

You鈥檒l also need either digital or printed photos of your child.

Apply online

You can apply for a replacement child passport online.

It costs 拢57.50. You can pay with a credit or debit card.

You鈥檒l need:

This service is also available .

Ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity

You鈥檒l need to ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity.

Let the person know that they鈥檒l receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They鈥檒l confirm your child鈥檚 identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.

Find out who can confirm your child鈥檚 identity and what they need to do.

Apply by post

It costs 拢69.

You can apply by post by either:

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they鈥檙e 12 or over.

You鈥檒l need 2 new printed photos of your child. Follow the rules for printed passport photos.

To send in your application, you can either:

  • post your form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form
  • take your form, photos and documents to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service

Signing the application

Someone with parental responsibility must sign the form.

If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.

Countersigning the application

You must get the application form and one of your child鈥檚 photos countersigned.

Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application.

Choose how you want your documents sent back

Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra 拢5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.

Getting your passport

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They鈥檒l either:

  • post it through your letterbox
  • hand it to you if you鈥檙e home
  • leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

You can track your passport application.

5. Replace a damaged child passport

If your child鈥檚 passport is damaged, you鈥檒l need to apply for a replacement.

You can apply online or by post.

Supporting documents

You must send all of the following with your application:

  • the damaged passport
  • a letter from someone with parental responsibility explaining how the damage happened (if you apply by post)
  • any valid passports from a different country your child might have
  • any court orders relating to the child (for example, that describe parental responsibility or residency arrangements)

You鈥檒l also need either digital or printed photos of your child.

Apply online

It costs 拢57.50. You can pay with a credit or debit card.

You鈥檒l need:

This service is also available .

Ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity

If your child is under 12, you鈥檒l need to ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity.

Let the person know that they鈥檒l receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They鈥檒l confirm your child鈥檚 identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.

Find out who can confirm your child鈥檚 identity and what they need to do.

Apply by post

It costs 拢69.

You can apply by post by either:

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they鈥檙e 12 or over.

To send in your application, you can either:

  • post your form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form
  • take your form, photos and documents to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service

Signing the application

Someone with parental responsibility must sign the form.

If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.

Countersigning the application

You must get the application form and one of your child鈥檚 photos countersigned.

Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application.

Choose how you want your documents sent back

Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra 拢5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.

Getting your passport

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They鈥檒l either:

  • post it through your letterbox
  • hand it to you if you鈥檙e home
  • leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

You can track your passport application.

6. Change the name or personal details on a child passport

Your child will need to get a new passport if they鈥檝e changed their name.

Fill in the passport application with the name that you want printed on the passport.

Contact the Passport Adviceline if you鈥檙e changing any other personal details on a child passport. This could include date of birth, place of birth or national status.

Apply online

You can apply for a new child passport online.

It costs 拢57.50.

You鈥檒l need a digital photo of your child (or a device that takes digital photos).

You鈥檒l be told where to send your supporting documents when you apply.

This service is also available .

Ask someone to confirm your child鈥檚 identity

If your child is under 12, you鈥檒l need to ask someone to confirm their identity after you鈥檝e submitted the application.

Let the person know that they鈥檒l receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They鈥檒l confirm your child鈥檚 identity online - they do not need to sign a printed photo.

Find out who can confirm your child鈥檚 identity and what they need to do.

Apply by post

It costs 拢69.

You can apply by post by either:

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 of the form. Your child needs to sign section 6 if they鈥檙e 12 or over.

If your child is 11 or under or cannot be recognised from their old passport photo you鈥檒l need to get someone else, known as a 鈥榗ountersignatory鈥�, to fill in section 10 and certify your child鈥檚 photo.

Read the booklet that comes with the form if you need help with your application.

To send in your application, you can either:

  • post your form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form
  • take your form, photos and documents to the Post Office if you want to use the Passport Check and Send service

Signing the application

Someone with parental responsibility must sign the form.

If your child is 12 to 15 they need to sign the form too.

Supporting documents

You must send:

  • the old passport
  • a deed poll or similar document about the name change
  • at least one piece of evidence that shows the new name being used, for example NHS records, child benefits or school records
  • written consent from everyone with parental responsibility
  • 2 new photos of your child if you apply by post

Choose how you want your documents sent back

Your documents will be sent back to you by normal post, but you can pay an extra 拢5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on your application if you want to use it.

Getting your passport

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They鈥檒l either:

  • post it through your letterbox
  • hand it to you if you鈥檙e home
  • leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

You can track your passport application.

7. Adopted or fostered children

If your child was adopted in the UK

Your child can get a British passport if either adoptive parent is British and was usually living in the UK (鈥榟abitually resident鈥�) when you adopted your child.

You must send your child鈥檚 adoption certificate showing the British parent鈥檚 details.

You must also send one of the following:

  • the British passport details for either parent聽
  • a UK birth certificate for either parent
  • a Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation for either parent

If you鈥檙e sending a parent鈥檚 British passport details

You must use details from a parent鈥檚 passport that was valid on the day your child was born. It can be current or expired.

You only need to send the:

  • passport number
  • the full name used on the passport聽
  • the parent鈥檚 date of birth聽

You do not need to post the passport.

If your child was adopted overseas

Adopted before 1 June 2003

Your child does not automatically qualify for a British passport - even if one of the parents is a British citizen.

The adoption may be recognised for parental responsibility purposes, but not for nationality purposes, depending on the country the adoption took place in.

Adopted on or after 1 June 2003

Your child can get a British passport if either parent is British and the British parent was usually living (鈥榟abitually resident鈥�) in the UK when the child was adopted.

Only adoptions conducted under the Hague Convention are recognised for nationality purposes. You must send the child鈥檚 full Hague Convention adoption certificate showing the parents鈥� details.

You must also send evidence of the British parent鈥檚 nationality status, such as a British passport issued before the date of adoption - put the passport number on your application.

If you do not have a British passport, there are other documents you can send.

Foster children and children in care

You must contact the Passport Adviceline if you want a passport for a child who鈥檚 in care. This includes a child you鈥檙e fostering.

Get help

Contact the Passport Adviceline if you are not sure what documents you need or if your circumstances are more complicated.

8. Surrogacy and sperm donation

Children born through surrogacy

As well as your other documents, you need to send:

  • a letter giving details of your surrogacy arrangement
  • evidence of your surrogacy treatment, such as a letter from the clinic where it took place
  • proof that your child has a claim to British nationality
  • proof of your identity (for example, your passport or birth certificate)
  • proof of your marriage or civil partnership (if this is relevant to your application)

If you鈥檝e been granted a parental order, you also need to send:

  • the parental order (if you have it)
  • your child鈥檚 birth certificate, issued after the parental order was granted

If you鈥檝e not been granted a parental order and your child was born in the UK you can send their full UK birth certificate instead.

If you鈥檝e not been granted a parental order and your child was born outside the UK, there are special rules about applying for a passport.

Sperm donation

If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born in the UK, you need to send their birth certificate when you apply. You do not need to say they were conceived through sperm donation.

There are different rules if they were born in another country.

Get help

Contact the Passport Adviceline if you are not sure what documents you need or if your circumstances are more complicated.