Get a passport for your child
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:
- a digital photo of your child (or a device that takes digital photos)
- the supporting documents
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:
- going to a Post Office that has a Passport Check and Send service
- calling the Passport Adviceline
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
- fill in section 10聽
- countersign the form and certify the child鈥檚 photo
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.